Best all around Pro-Touring setup for First Gen Camaro and 68-72 X-body?

[NvrDun71]

I am in the process of revamping the front suspension on my 71' Nova. I have mulled over and over my decisions and can't come to a conclusion on what the best setup is out there for a budget/pro-tourer setup that maintains a quality on road feel yet provides enough of a drop to make a 17 " rim and 45 series tire look correct on the car with the right stance.

I was originally considering the DSE speed kit 1. As well as possibly the QA1 GMP14 coilover conversion kit with stock uca and lca's with upgraded bushings and DSE sway. I am concerned tho that this will not provide we with enough drop with the 17"s.
I have also considered the dreaded 2" drop spindles along with the coilover setup, but dont want to have tie rod interference as most due even tho i would only be running a 17x7" rim up front.

At ths point im not sure what the best route to take is :banghead: . Anyone with a good all around package that would like to share please point me in the right direction.

I apologize if these topics have been beat to death in the past, however after multiple searches I have gotten alot of conflicting information.:hmm:

[Lowend]

The Globalwest Cat V setup is the absolute best... no contest
www.globalwest.net

[NvrDun71]

Definitely a killer setup man, but the $3995.00 price tag puts it way outta my price range.....

[importkiller69ss]

i think the hotchkis tvs is the best for a budget..then later on upgrade to better arms

[NvrDun71]

i think the hotchkis tvs is the best for a budget..then later on upgrade to better arms

I agree however I have heard horror stories about ride quality from a number of people on here with the TVS while others say it is great. I know Dan has it on his 70 and is goin back to a softer spring front in rear just to gain some driveability back.

[68Formula]

The DSE Kit should have a 2" drop. If you want more, I think their LCA's will add more due to the dropped pocket (call and ask). Remember when dropping really low you're losing suspension travel and road clearance. If you are looking for crazy-low and still want to drive it on the street, then maybe it's airbag time.

I actually had to buy new springs after I took a coil out of a brand new set. then proceeded to scrape my header collector pulling out of my own driveway. Just glad I found out that way, instead of hitting a speedbump, railroad tracks, or a pothole first. I remember long ago a post by a guy trying to slam his Camaro cutting coils and running a supershort tire. I think he ended up buying new tires again.

Which reminds me, if you go with the 1/2" solid body mounts it should drop you a 1/2" from your height now. Won't affect road clearance, but you need to verify aircleaner to hood clearance as it will drop the body down relative to the subframe. (Hence tire will tuck up higher into the wheelwell.)

[NvrDun71]

The DSE Kit should have a 2" drop. If you want more, I think their LCA's will add more due to the dropped pocket (call and ask). Remember when dropping really low you're losing suspension travel and road clearance. If you are looking for crazy-low and still want to drive it on the street, then maybe it's airbag time.

I actually had to buy new springs after I took a coil out of a brand new set. then proceeded to scrape my header collector pulling out of my own driveway. Just glad I found out that way, instead of hitting a speedbump, railroad tracks, or a pothole first.

Yea I really don't want crazy low by any means, I only want just enough drop to make a 17" rim and 45 series tire look right on the car, nothing more. Just don't know how much that is and the best way to achieve it.

[68Formula]

Sorry, you jumped in while I was re-editing. Check out shorter subframe body mounts (use solids if you do). See my post above.

[NvrDun71]

Sorry, you jumped in while I was re-editing. Check out shorter subframe body mounts (use solids if you do). See my post above.

Thanks for the tip man. I had forgotten about the lowered body mount kits. I guess that is always an option to get an additional 1/2" if needed.

[68Formula]

Oh yeah, watch for subframe connector clearance too if you have them.

[restomodbird69]

i have the dse speed kit 2 on my car but the body is in paint now.it was easy to install and if you go to their site they have a maroon camaro with good pics for you to see the ride heirht.

[TitoJones]

The Globalwest Cat V setup is the absolute best... no contest
www.globalwest.net

I have to disagree here. This is coming from a dealer of GW parts, and a very big supporter of them-
Our AFX spindles will destroy that setup, for only $695. I know the geometry is better and our bump steer is much better. InFact, our Chicane-LM kit is about that same price, and includes the sway bar (3 pc rate adjustable splined bar) our 670 steering box, and GW bushings.



Sorry, you jumped in while I was re-editing. Check out shorter subframe body mounts (use solids if you do). See my post above.

I'd steer far clear of that upgrade. I like soild body bushings, but 1/2 drop ones can cause all sorts of clearance issues, like air cleaner, T56 fitment, fan to shroud issues, and more. Drop your car with springs, not spindles or bushings.

Tyler

[NvrDun71]

Thanks for the input guys, it is all much appreicated.

Tyler in your past experiences how much of a drop do you think I need front and rear on the car to stance it right with a 17" rim and 45 series tire?

On a side note I would love to run the AFX spindle, however I know I can't afford that kind of coin. Also does anyone know If I could get enough of a drop with just the QA1 GMP14 coilover conversion?

[astroracer]

NvrDun...
Your question in your original post is "Best all around suspension..."
I am sorry, I always seem to play the Devil's advocate, but it looks to me like you just can't afford the "Best all around suspension..."
I can understand that, no problem. You are trying to do as much as you can with what you can afford.
I think you need to take a step back, look at your options and the real world, end use of your car. A set of lowering springs, some poly bushings and a good set of shocks will make an immense improvement over your current 35 year old suspension and won't tear up your car or break the bank. This is an excellant 1st step and there is nothing that you can't re-use in the future if you decide you need more... Take a couple of weekends to rebuild your stock suspension, clean it up and paint it, make it look nice and drive it...
Mark

[68Formula]

Have you already bought your wheels?

Another way of creating the illusion of drop is increasing the tire/rim height. For instance, take a 18" rim with the same tires you're planning to run would "tuck" the tire up a 1/2" more into the fender. It will also give you 1/2" more road clearance which may be helpful with dropped springs.

The tradeoffs are the cost differential of rims and tires 18s vs. 17s, more rotational mass further from the center of the axle, and depending on your tastes: aesthetics of the taller rim.

[vanzuuk1]

Tyler, not to divert this thread, but can you solve the t56 issues if to dont mind trimming the trans tunnel, or does it just not fit?

[NvrDun71]

NvrDun...
Your question in your original post is "Best all around suspension..."
I am sorry, I always seem to play the Devil's advocate, but it looks to me like you just can't afford the "Best all around suspension..."
I can understand that, no problem. You are trying to do as much as you can with what you can afford.
I think you need to take a step back, look at your options and the real world, end use of your car. A set of lowering springs, some poly bushings and a good set of shocks will make an immense improvement over your current 35 year old suspension and won't tear up your car or break the bank. This is an excellant 1st step and there is nothing that you can't re-use in the future if you decide you need more... Take a couple of weekends to rebuild your stock suspension, clean it up and paint it, make it look nice and drive it...
Mark

You hit the nail on the head man. I am probably after something that just doesn't exist out there. At this point my plans are to use the stock upper and lower CA's with some Delrin bushings and Moog ball joints. Pick up a 1-1/8 sway bar and then go with the GMP 14 coilover conversion from QA1. My concern is not being able to get enough drop from the coilovers as I have heard differing opinions on how much you can lower them before you start extremely limiting shock travel. Any opinions on this or would it be better to just go with a 2" coil from DSE.

[TitoJones]

Tyler, not to divert this thread, but can you solve the t56 issues if to dont mind trimming the trans tunnel, or does it just not fit?
Yes, you can cut the top of the tunnel off, and raise it to make it fit, but I'd rather not go that route.

Tyler

[Lowend]

Tyler I've never used your spindles... knowing you I'm sure they are excellent pieces.
I can say that we built a 69 Camaro with the G-mod / GW bushings and when we switched to the CatV system it was frighteningly better. It would react faster than I could think (on Kumho 710's).
Do you need to do a G-mod type thing in addition to your spindles?
I remember one guy was selling balljoint spacers trying to get better neg camber gain... the geometry came out awful. If I remember right there was a castor & bumpsteer problem when the spindle got too tall.

[TitoJones]

We addressed all those issues in design/development. Our spindle in a stock UCA position has more camber gain than a DSE coil over kit or G mod car will. Our tall spindle with a G mod is bordering on excessive camber gain (more than a C6 Corvette) and will lead to jacking effects because of the SVSA being so short. (think VW bug here.)
We reduced the bumpsteer down to .030" over 4 inches of suspension travel, so that is a non-issue as well. (any manufacturer who claims 'Zero' bumpsteer on ANYthing is lying. It is not possible)
I think you'd like the way our AFX spindle makes the car feel in RR applications, and on the street.

Tyler

[Lowend]

Make one for a second gen and we'll talk :D