More Gen 1 coilover questions....

[camrat68]

After searching through several hundred posts and every post made by someone whose car I would like to copy, I'm more confused than ever on the subject of front coilovers.
Background on my car.........

1968 Camaro-BBC with aluminum heads and waterpump, griffin radiator, clutch fan, and fiberglass hood. Stock front A-arms with polygraphite bushings and stock swaybar for BBC equipped Camaro's. Two-inch front drop springs from Eaton Detroit Spring for BBC equipped Camaro in a stock front subframe. Master Power Brakes front brakes and spindles.

The car is used primarily on the street, but I plan to take it on the Power Tour again in 2010 and I would like to do more than just drag race it.
The rear suspension is a Chris Alston G-bar set-up with single-adjustable coilovers and their adjustable sway bar. So far, the rear system has really impressed me.

From the several hundred threads that came up in the "front coilover" search, I take it that coilovers are not a preferred option. However, I like the height adjustability and since spring adjusters are no longer available, coilovers are about the only choice.

I'm looking at the SC&C street-comp2+ kit but I'm not sure if I really need tubular lowers and double adjustable coilovers to make a decent showing on the autocross course. I'm just trying to decide the best bang-for-the-buck on the front suspension.....any advice or help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

[79T/Aman]

what do you mean "spring adjusters are no longer available" ? yes they are

[marolf101x]

One problem you run into with a coil over conversion is the fact that you should change the lower control arm so the coil over has a better mounting option.
A stock control arm can accept a trunnion ("T bar") but the stock control arm was not designed to handle that much weight on a small surface area and can crack and fail.
An aftermarket arm has a double shear mount that properly locates the coil over, provides a stronger mount, and most times drops the lower mounting location to allow a longer shock to be used.

Now, I'm biased on this one as I design this stuff, but look at the Ridetech Shockwaves. This is essentially a coil over that uses an air spring instead of a steel spring. We build thousands of control arms and Shockwaves annually so I've seen it all. One thing you may consider is using a Shockwave on the front of that Camaro. You don't have to run a compressor system, just use a Schrader valve for each air spring (like the old air shocks). This gives you the proper spring rate without trying different springs, and you have a lot of adjustment in spring rate, vehicle height, and compression/rebound of the damper itself.

[Bryce]

get a true coilover not the QA1 that has the spring sit on the coilover nut on the bottom and the stock spring perch on the top. Get a true coilover where the spring is fully contained by the shock.

That QA1 style is good for drag but can lead to bind issues.

[Mkelcy]

what do you mean "spring adjusters are no longer available" ? yes they are

Yup, they're available right here:

http://www.afabcorp.com/AFCO_Dynatech_USbrake/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=A&Product_Code=20191&Category_Code=ct_coil-access

Just tape off and cut the helix, weld on a little 0.25" diameter stud to hold the adjuster up to the subframe while you're installing the spring and you're good to go.

[jfaria78]

As far as a coil over kit for the front end. I have a similiar engine set up as you and have the DSE kit. It was easy to install and I think works great...

James

[67bird]

This is easy enough. I say do the research and find which product best suits your needs and fits your budget. As far as conversions and using stock frame you can look at DSE or ATS used to sale two different ones. The first is the Chicane-LM. It uses a welded in coil over mount. When I stock to Speedtech (now the owners of ATS). The parts were still avalible. ATS also used to offer a kit with the adjustable spring buckets. These already had the notch and the stud welded in them. You can check with Speedtech on there avalibility.

[1968Maro]

I have found the information available on a coilover conversion really hard to come by.

I have looked at DSE's kit and I am really curious about the actually instalation it self.

Not to high jack your thread but if anyone can direct "us" to a thread or site with an installation thread I would really appreciate it.

[67bird]

I would recommend that you check out the Lateral-G forums as there is a link to a DSE install. Tony's book has alot of good information in it as well. You can also look at the old projects on DSE's website. As far as ATS you can look here in projects for project 1/2 trak. He uses the ATS chicane package, as well as Jim's Camaro. I put the link to Jim's Camaro below. As far as the spring buckets upi can check out CarlC's camaro. Search for him. His car uses Landrum buckets, but they are same concept as what ATS used to have as well as what is shown above.

http://www.onelapcamaro.com/

[camrat68]

Many Thanks to all who replied! I actually found the spring adjusters in my latest Speedway catalog right after I posted.:idea:

I'm still trying to decide which way to go on the front end suspension and have a lot more searching to do thanks to all of the leads provided in this thread.

Thanks!:)


PS-1968Maro, high jack away! It just gives me more information as your question was the very next thing I was going to start searching for.:twothumbs