Need some opinions on a 68 camaro suspension

[Tyson A]

I started gathering parts for my 68 Camaro. So far I have ordered or have in my possession a Speedtech suspension kit 2 (upper and lower control arms and tubular tie rod sleeves). ATS tall spindles, ATS power steering box & rag joint, DSE sub frame connectors, deep tubs and 1/2” drop body mounts.

The plan includes (but has not been purchased) a 550 to 600hp LSX, Bowler 4L80E & paddle shifter, Moser 12 bolt, C6 Z06 brakes, hydroboost.

So I guess what I’m after is some opinions. What rear suspension would match up the best? What front coil over QA1 or ATS weld in coil over brackets for factory subframe and a different brand of coil over. Heck ShockWaves if compatible would be cool. Hotchkis 1-1/8" sway bar or ATS Spline-Tune rate adjustable bar.

My plan calls for some bling and as much street performance as possible with out getting to crazy. I don’t have any plans to put this car on a track but I don’t want to limit myself.

Thanks Tyson

[Marcus SC&C]

That`s a real nice selection of parts so far. The QA1 hybrid coilover conversion would be a step in the wrong direction IMNSHO. The std. kits spring rates are much too low and they have a serious side loading issue (the factory upper spring seat isn`t anywhere near perpendicular to the center axis of the shock) that makes it a bad idea to go much stiffer anyway. If you go with poly lower bushings they`re very thin wall and pound out with use.
Varishock makes a bolt in kit that`s a true coilover,has more adjustability and is higher quality all around for not much more money.
The ATS weld in package with remote reservoir Penskes looks awesome (how many of your buddys have remote reservoir shocks? :smoke: ) and should work super well. Top shelf stuff all around.
As for swaybars I`d go conservative (or adjustable) with the rate. With the ATS tall spindle geometry you don`t need a big "bandaid bar" up there to cover up the poor factory geometry,you`ve got that covered. Getting the final setup so you`re really happy with it is where those adj. shocks/coilovers will really come in handy. Mark SC&C

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

wow

[Jayco_Automotive]

i would have saved time and used a martz chassis front and rear suspension but thats just me....

[Ricoch3T]

i would have saved time and used a martz chassis front and rear suspension but thats just me....

A lot of us would like to but can't find enough green in the wallet...

Marcus SC&C,
Do you have any more info on the varishock? I'm in the same situation on my 69. So far I have the ats spindles, and the 1 1/8 sway bar. I'm trying to figure out what spring to go with up front and in the rear. The rear I converted to a coil over setup which right now I used an old pair of 110lb springs back there until I get an idea.
Car will sport an aluminum small block and will not get much if any track time. If any track time it'll be only 1/4mile. But like i said its mainly a street car.

[Tyson A]

Mark thanks for your imput that is exactly what I was looking for. I was really close to buying the QA1s but then I started wondering why ATS,DSE and others built brackets and coil over conversions instead of a QA1 style system. :worship:
Thanks Tyson

[Marcus SC&C]

Glad to help. I`m not going to go into the history of Varishocks but think of them as QA1s with 20 years worth of design evolution and improvements. Chris Alston was heavily involved with the design of the original HAL adj. shocks that later because QA1 when they bought HAL. We`ve run the QA1s on our own and customer`s cars many times over the years and they`re not a "bad" shock considering their price point but they have a number of areas where they could use improvement. The Varishocks don`t have any shortcomings that we`ve found. They`re just good solid,reliable shocks that give great performance at a reasonable price.
Would I they be my first choice if I was building an ALMS road race car? No. But they`ve proven to work really well for drag racing (especially the double adjustable QS2s),SCCA AutoX,track days and even open course road racing. That at 1/4 the price of Bilstein GN3s. Mark SC&C

[Bow Tie 67]

i would have saved time and used a martz chassis front and rear suspension but thats just me....

I cut out a new Martz rear system, as it would not have been condusive to cornering. I have also read that their front subframe is flimsy. You get what you pay for.