70 Camaro new project

[Dano383]

Hello,

I'm fairly new to the pro touring scene after having done a few frame-off restorations to take cars back to stock. So I'll have lots of questions.

First of all I need some help and ideas in planning, and I have a certain budget, so I'd think I need to stay with some proven recipes as far as components are conserned. I'm not planning to compete or anything, just a old Camaro with a modern feel.

For example, I'd spend the $2500 on the DSE Quadra-link setup and another $440 for their deep tubs, but I have a hard time considering their front sub with it's $7000 price tag. (ouch)

So that leads me to my first questions. What ideas do you good folks have for my Camaro suspension and brake wise? Could I use the Quadra-Link and deep tubs, and just use the stock fron sub but with a coil-over conversion installed. Or, again, use the Quarda-Link but with say a Martz, or another (read less expensive) front clip?

What other options are out there for 4-link coil-over rears besides the Quadra-Link? Is Quadra-Link even stand up to the hoop-la that I've seen and read about?

I plan on posting progress pics as I go along. So I'll take a few this weekend of were it stands now (already torn down and with the rear 1/4's cut off). :)

Thanks,

Dan

[Throttle]

I didnt use an aftermarket subframe on mine, I just made sure it was straight and painted it..

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53580

[Dano383]

Looks great Throttle!

Yeah, I'm still torn between the bolt-on rear suspension components like a lowering spring kit from Hotchkiss or the like (definitely on the less expensive side), but for the time being, I'm really considering a 4 link. I'm leaning most towards the DSE quadra-link due to their swivel link design (if it really works). What do you folks think?

Also what do you think about using it with another front sub?

Thanks

[ArtosDracon]

A lot of these decisions are going to depend on the uses of the car, can we start there?

[Dano383]

Sure. For now, I'm just thinking to make a real street screamer. I'm tired of doing factory / stock restorations. I'm looking for the best handling from the products on the market, so I'm not looking for over-the-top or custom suspensions as I want this car to be kept fairly simple. At least that's my thinking and plan for now.

So on that note, let me know what you guys and gals recommend and why.

Thanks,
Dan

[Jay71]

I've got a 71 Camaro and I've upgraded to Hotchkis springs and swaybars, Global West control arms, body mounts, and sub frame connectors and added G-Braces from Pro-Touring F-Body. It has made a HUGE difference as to how the car drives. I would also highly recommend the 600 steering box. Much better feel.

Look what Mary Pozzi does with her 73, nothin fancy there. (She's my hero.)

[Lowend]

What budget are you trying to work within for the Suspension.
It's not hard to get a 2nd gen to behave very well

[ArtosDracon]

IMHO, unless it's going to see some serious track time, or you just want the bragging rights of spending a lot of extra money on the suspension(which I would understand all too well) then I'd say you're likely gonna be happy with what Jay71 said. It takes a heck of a beating on the street before you'll need something better than leafs in this heavy a vehicle. Leafs with sliders and stiff bushings combined with a watts or well designed panhard are surprisingly good compared to the stockers.

[k7king]

I have a full hotchkis suspension a-arms etc on my 73 camaro and love it . Nothing wrong with leave springs. Mine drives and handles great.
Mike

[Dano383]

Thanks guys. I'm going to do some research. I'm only considering a 4 link for adjustability reasons. I like to play and learn from it. Is anybody on here running a 4 link by any of the manufacturers out there?

[Dano383]

Also...are the deep tubs or even a mini tub job the way to go on this generation Camaro. Sheet metal work is not a problem with me.

By using an aftermarket leaf spring, what restrictions to I have with the wheels and tires getting into them?

Thanks a bunch!

[k7king]

I have 285's on the back of mine without mini tub mine sits low so the tires are inside the lips.....I'v read on here that the biggest problem is getting front tires big enough...If you mini tub the rear you will always have understeer on autocrosses and roadcourses etc.....but it will look cool. If you go with an aftermarket front subframe you can run 10" wide front tires to compensate.

Detroit speed.....chris alston......heidts........and Ridetech all offer 4 bars for rear.

[fletcherscustoms]

I'm a big fan of BMR fabrication. I've used the upper and lower controls arms and the rear torque arm on the last two second gens we have done. The second gens do not suffer as bad as the first gens in the front. And the stock subframe with a control arms and set or adjustable coilovers will handle better than most normal folks will ever push it. then add teh rear torque arm and you get the best of all worlds in the rear.

I am running a really good deal right now on control arm packages, with the rear torque all supported by AFCO racing Elite series dbl adjustable remote reservoir coilovers w. QA1 springs. Shoot me a email or PM for pricing

[Dano383]

Yeah...Flectherscustoms...I was looking at the BMR site the other night because I read a recent post on here about their torque arm set up. That definitely looks cool! The post I read was saying that the torque arm will provide good handling in the turns an still be able to hook up well at a stoplight. How do you guys feel about this?

I'd like to learn more about it. Has anybody else installed the BMR in a 2nd gen yet? Do you have a website or pics that you can post Flectherscustoms?

From the little I've read so far they are fairly new. I may have missed it, but I didn't even see it offered yet on the BMR website.

k7Racing...I've been seeing this about the front sub frame on 2nd gens over the last few days on this forum. Just how big of tire and wheel (and backspacing) can I look for using the stock subframe and control arms like BMR's (or others).

You guys are getting me fired up now!!! I can't wait to get into it, but I gotta make sure I know what I'm getting and then what to expect from the suspension set up that I choose.

I hope to get some pics taken tonight of the car as it sits. It's not much to look at now, but it'll get there.

Later,
Dan

[Dano383]

Sorry Fletcherscustoms...I missed seeing your website link in your sig before I replied. I'm heading there now.

Thanks!

[Dano383]

Here is the 70 Camaro as it sits now. Nothing special and currently, a little rough to look at.

It's just a little old 6 cyl, three speed on the floor. It sat in a barn for probably 20 some years. It was pulled outside one day, and I stopped and asked if it could be bought.

I got it home put some fresh gas in it, a new fuel pump and battery. I didn't have too much trouble getting it started up. For a car that sat in a barn for so long and without doing anything to it (no new plugs or tune-up) it ran suprisingly well...that is after the mouse nest was blown out of the exhaust pipe. The clutch was rusted to the flywheel a little, but after I got it loose again it was driveable.

I took it down the driveway and I was suprise about how much get up and go it had for being a 6...nothing like a strong V-8 of course, but I was suprised none-the-less.

I had it in storage for a while until I finished up my 72 Chevelle SS restoration. I got the 1/4's cut off and started some work on the doors and rebuilt the hinges, etc.

-Dan