Global West vs. Hotchkis or other

[JH_ENKE]

Hey there guys, I'm new here to the site, so sorry if this has been asked before.

I am working on a 67 Lemans Convertible at the moment. I am looking at two suspension set ups. I bought GW upper and lower control arms for the car, that work with tall spindles, from a B-body. I also have to get a rear set-up. I don't want to get into mixing suspensions, cause one it doesn't look professional, and two thinking it might do more harm than good.

The suspensions I am looking at are GW and Hotchkis, can anyone give me a confirmation on my hunch that I should keep it a match suspension?

It is not my intent to get too pro-touring on this build as the customer is leary already. Trying to keep some of the costs down, b/c the first shop he took the car too destroyed it, and the car I have is actually a complete replacement for the first one, and I don't want to hit him too hard on the build. (I'll keep that for the next one)

Thanks for the time... hope someone can help me out on this...

[zbugger]

If you got the GW front arms, I'd suggest getting the GW rear arms as well. For springs you are ok if you decide on Hotchkis. Consistency is good in the eyes of a customer.

[JH_ENKE]

Thanks for that zbugger.

We have built a car for this guy in the past but it was mostly a stock rebuild. This time around we want to give him a little something more. The only reason for the GW vs Hotchkis was that he has the rear set up already form the other car. I don't like the thought of mixing suspension setups either, each company does what they do because of a design goal.

[Derek69SS]

I vote "Other"

For front suspension, you can use your GW arms with either an ATS "AFX" spindle, or tall balljoints and stock spindles from www.scandc.com . The B-body spindle is less than ideal, due to some steering arm problems (do a search here or at www.chevelles.com/forums ). Mark at SC&C can hook you up with either of the other options depending on your budget. :)

For rear, I'd say use Currie or Edelbrock adjustable upper arms with the johnny joint frame-side. In the axle housing, use either a stock rubber bushing, or a spherical bearing from Wolfe Racecraft.

For the lowers, Global West's aren't too bad, but the spherical bearing will wear rather quickly. Currie makes a similar arm with a johnny joint that will last much longer. If the budget is real tight, look at UMI's arms (with QA1 teflon-lined rod ends) or for the very tight budget, Wolfe Racecraft's double-adjustables with solid rod ends.

Avoid Hotchkis's rear A-body arms like the plague. Boxed arms with poly bushings = horrible bind.

[JH_ENKE]

Thanks for the feedback guys, have one more question...

Has anyone ever tried to fit a truck arm suspension into a 67 Lemans/GTO Convertible or another a-body, like the ones that Hot Rods to Hell sells?

I talked to them, they said that if I used them in conjunction with GW control arms and lowering springs, we would end up with a car with a smoother ride, no rearend hop, and cornering like a slot car. Anyone know if this has any merit?

Oh and a question on the b-body spindles... What kind of steering arm issues am I faced with? I trie do to do a search, but was a bit confused with the result. GW says the b-body spindles and steering arms have already been modified for any steering issues, but what were they to begin with? Just in case I have a problem, I know where to look.

The GW fronts with b-body spindles and brakes were already purchased b/c the customer wanted drivability, as well as ease of part sourcing when it comes to a maintenance stand point.

All your points about tall ball joints are noted, and will be used in the 67 Chevelle build we are doing, but at this point with the Lemans, there is no room for back tracking, b/c of the customers past experience.

Thanks again guys...... lots of good info here, very nice support.