Nova Daily Driver Suspension Help

[Nova VB]

I’ve lurked for a while, scrolled through several threads on suspensions, and it’s time to ask questions. No better place than pro touring community! I’m working with a 70 Nova SS with no current suspension upgrades. I’ve budgeted 4k to 5K for suspension upgrades and disc brake conversion. I was looking into going big brakes and will eventually slap some 17’s on her. My objective with the car is to turn into a daily driver, I don’t need it to ride like a Cadillac, and know any upgrades will make her ride and handle better. The car will never see the track and at best see the occasional 45mph on the 25mph off/on ramp :) Ultimately, I don’t want to end up purchasing upgrades that will serve no purpose (overkill) for my application. Also, if it helps, I will be doing an LS swap to bring her into the 21st century.


Brakes-

I was initially looking at CPP, but after reading the reviews have been turned off by them. Right Stuff seems to be the route I’ll be going, unless you have another recommendation for the price, quality, and my goals for the car? Sorry, for throwing the brakes into the suspension thread, but wanted to help paint a clearer picture on my direction.


Suspension-

My real dilemma, given my goals and budget…do I stay with Leafs, go 4 link, or rear Torque Arm? Is coilover really needed? I’ve researched several manufactures; Speedtech, Ridetech, BMR, Chassisworks, CBR, Hotchkis, Detroitspeed etc. and read reviews on each. From my research I know its best not to mix and match manufactures.


I wanted to give you my budget and goals in hopes of giving you more to go on. Any feedback or recommendations would be awesome.


Thanks from Nova in Va. Beach.

[F-Body International]

Let the clash begin...haha

[BMR Sales]

Going to a Coilover will bring your car into the 21st Century compared to the Leaf Springs. Of course to do that, you have to go to aftermarket Rear Suspension pieces. I happen to think that our Torque Arm Kit is the best kit at the best price

[F-Body International]

If you're running a subframe then I would get solid body mounts before jumping on suspension parts. For the budget, you can go far on leaf springs. A nice steering box and modern type II pump will put you around $1k by itself.

[Nova VB]

Thank you for the candid feedback so far. Sorry, forgot to mention that I will be running the stock subframe. I don't know if this is a strange request, but in hopes of preventing vendors/manufacturers from clashing, if possible, vendors can you PM instead of posting in the thread. I'd like to keep this as subjective/objective as possible from the end user.
thanks

[TheJDMan]

It sounds to me like you are a perfect candidate for the RideTech StreeGrip system.

http://www.ridetech.com/store/streetgrip

[Nova VB]

I dug a little deeper on the body mounts (btw, great advice) and see that I can go Poly or Aluminum. Since it won't be seeing the track do you think Poly would be too rough? Also, DJ, I did see the StreetGrip system a few weeks back and if I stay w/Leafs that might be an option.

[Dark Pursuit]

Solid body mount bushings will give you maximum performance, but, you will also feel more of the road at your seat. Poly bushings will give more of a performance feel than the original rubber mounts, but , are more passenger friendly than solid mounts. Also, be aware that there are differences in poly bushings as well. I have found that Prothane poly bushings are harder than Energy Suspension bushings.

[F-Body International]

Solid body mounts are fine on the street. I've driven with solid body mounts and stock suspension in my Trans Am for a few years.

Best set of body mounts I've seen are from Pro-Touring F-Body. They're built with a steel locating sleeve and are adjustable from stock height, 1/2" or 1" body lowering. Other offerings may look pretty but don't include a steel locating sleeve and are less adjustable.

I wouldn't mess with a polyurethane body mount unless you have special reasons. Solid is fine on the street.

[hotrodalex]

For just daily driving, I think leaf springs and a good set of shocks will be perfect. The Ridetech Streetgrip package is pretty nice, as are the Detroit Speed leaf springs. I believe the Detroit Speed springs are stiffer, so that'd be the deciding factor for me. Their Camaro leafs still ride great, not hard or harsh at all.

Any front end package with tall spindles and stuff will be great. Maybe just decide what you want in the rear and go with the same company for the front.

[TheJDMan]

What ever you decide, stick with one of our Pro-Touring sponsors. They all sell great product, provide superior customer service and support this place.

[AU Doc]

Sounds like you and I are in the same boat so I'm extremely interested in what you decide. For what it's worth, from what I've been able to find over the course of the last few days I'm starting to lean towards a coil over conversion (just for ride height adjustability), taller ball joints, adjustable shocks, new steering gear, and a Kore3 brake swap up front. Out back, I'm seriously considering sticking with leafs out back with good adjustable shocks and a disc conversion (mainly for ease of maintenance).

Apparently spring rates and shocks are the primary contributor to ride quality. Aside from an IRS, you're not really gaining anything in suspension travel and it's still a solid axle even with the aftermarket four-links, three-links, etc.

Similar story up front. Shocks and spring rates are going to drive ride quality and a taller ball joint, spindle, or Gmod correct the suspension geometry well enough for a street car.

I'm interested to hear what you think!

[BBBluey]

My 70 Nova is full stock on leafs with Monroe shocks running OE 14in wheels and it drives amazing. It's my daily driver...really daily. Rubber mounts and energy links have kept the ride soft and smooth even going over all the speed bumps in my neighborhood. The car is so light and easily maneuverable that not really much is needed to enjoy it as a daily. If you're not going to track it or strip run it, then any upgrades above that are for looks as far as I'm concerned (other than stronger sway bars which I don't have but considering since I haul ass everywhere). I'm kind of glad I didn't go down the rabbit hole as I initially wanted to...but I keep debating it, Lol.

My Firebird has the complete/full Pro-touring F-body suspension set up with the solid body mounts, subframe connectors, control arms, sway bars, etc... and as good as it is, it no way would make as nice/enjoyable of a daily driver.

Just my .02cents

[Zspoiler]

Go with something like factory F-41 suspension( springs,Sway bars. etc) with a good set of gas shocks. (KYB`s,Monroe Koni`s ETC.) I had a 1973 Nova SS Hatchback.before they even called it Pro-Tourng, I had 60 series tires all away around on Magnum 14 x7 wheels.Because is what the had at the time,