Info Overload on 1st gen suspension - Advice

[67CamNKC]

I have been reading for some time on first gen suspension. Probably listening to some who I should and shouldn't be. Hoping to have a couple of you tell me where I am and a direction.

The plan is a driver first and part time cone runner second with a 350-400 hp LS1 setup.

I have decided to go with the stock subframe and have since blasted it and POR15'd it. I have parts in boxes ready to start building the front end. Before too much reading, I jumped the gun and bought front Hotchkis (1" or so) lowering springs for a small block car. I have since purchased the lightened pro SPC upper control arms with tall upper ball joints. I am using my stock LCA's with poly bushings along with my stock spindles. I plan on a sway bar, but nothing purchased yet. I have Moog lower Bjs. ALum body bushings and sub frame connectors are planned as well

Anything on the front that I missed with?

I have no supension for the rear. I have thought about the TVS kit, g-bar kit and Heidts kit. Is there a recommended kit that will handle good on hte road as well as cornering? I do not have mini tubs but will be going with 17" tall tire/wheel combo.

Thanks.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Up front I would finish with a Hotchkis front sway bar. Some good shocks (Hotchkis or adjustables like QA1 or Varishock)

Need some frame connectors, Hotchkis are the best fitting under car frame connectors. On the rear Hotchkis springs can work and are the best riding performance springs and handle good, but there is nothing like the ride of a G Bar set up for a daily driver, and they handle killer. Pass on the Heidts.

[David Pozzi]

Frank's advice is good, for good autocross results, be sure to get the Hotchkis rear bar to go with their springs. I'd go for the varishocks to get a bit more shock rate for Autocross. The regular Hotchkis Bilsteins are good for street and an occasional autocross, but are not quite as stiff as you will need for autocross on a regular basis.

I'd rather see you ditch the poly bushings for Del-A-Lum's but check your budget.
David

[billybobdupree]

be sure to get the Hotchkis rear bar to go with their springs.

Hey dave,

I thought you didn't like a rear bar on 1st gen f-bodys? I read your post somewhere, but you might have been pertaining to a particular car and not making a general statement...??? I think you said it causes too much over (or under) steer...

[David Pozzi]

I've always heard Guldstrand didn't like to use a rear bar, it hurt corner exit traction. Years ago he sold his own custom leaf springs, (still does, but they now use poly bushings) one for road race and a lower ride height version for Autox. I have the Autox version and they have solid bronze bushings in the front and rear spring eyes, no rubber or poly at all!

This makes the leaf very resistant to twisting when the car rolls in a corner giving a sway bar effect to the rear. I believe this is why he did not need to use a rear bar, or found a rear bar to be too much when added. Also for racing there was only a small rear tire size difference due to the 8" max rim width rule. I had to run a rear bar on my 67 Camaro with Guldstrand components, I put my old front bar on a stock 68 we have and it understeers right now, so I plan on adding a rear bar to it. Our 73 Camaro has the Hotchkis TVS system, we swapped out the 175lb rear leafs for 240lb GW Cat 5 leafs, and even with the rear bar on the car I had to modify it to shorten the arms and make it even stiffer than what Hotchkis sells.

I autocrossed a 67Camaro, 85 Z/28, 89 IROC, 2002 SS, now a 2007 Shelby GT and they all need a rear bar.

More rear roll stiffness does hurt corner exit traction but if your rear tire width is large enough to handle the horsepower you have, then you can use enough rear bar to balance oversteer/understeer.

I did have a friend who put on an Addco front and rear bar package, with stock F/R springs, - the rear bar was so small with very long arms, that it didn't really make any improvement in handling and it was somewhat in the way of the exhaust system, so we removed it with no ill effects.
David

[67CamNKC]

Thanks guys. Looks like at least pointed in the right direction.

Sounds like Heidts is a no go. What would the pros & cons be on the Hotchkis rear springs?

[syborg tt]

Up front I would finish with a Hotchkis front sway bar. Some good shocks (Hotchkis or adjustables like QA1 or Varishock)

Need some frame connectors, Hotchkis are the best fitting under car frame connectors. On the rear Hotchkis springs can work and are the best riding performance springs and handle good, but there is nothing like the ride of a G Bar set up for a daily driver, and they handle killer. Pass on the Heidts.

Just curious why is everyone dissing Heidts.

They have come a long way, New owners -- new Design give them a chance to prove themselves.

Forget about what they made in the past, there stuff is new and seems to be doing very well.

All of these negative comment makes it looks like were the Bully from school.

Support your comments with factual information as why it's not good and why you don't like it or why your customers where unhappy with it.

If you can't support it with facts your just spitting out words -- which are useless in my opinion.

As far as the g-bar being superior -- why is it superior and how can you say it's the best riding street suspenion out there.

It's the same as Air ride and and chassis works rear clip.

I'm not even certain that the G-Bar has really been track tested like the Air Ride Set up has.



http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showpost.php4?p=193158&postcount=47



I think the Heidt second gen will change some minds, but it will take some time. Their second gen sub uses a taller spindle and works very well. I don't recall what the difference is between their second and first gen subs is. I'd rate a DSE sub as my favorite, I like Morrisons sub a lot, as well as the 21'st Century sub in Bad Penny. Jake's sub is doing very well. The Speed tech sub can use stock parts or aftermarket parts for a stock sub. Could save you money if you already have purchased some A arms, etc.

[zman1969]

67camnkc- I agree with all the above, if your budget allows do DelAlum bushings and DEFINETLY add the sway bars! they make an incredible difference on firstgens and buy some good shocks too - along with at least 16" x8 wheels/tires - the sky is the limit here -good luck