Rate my budget suspension overhaul, 68 Camaro

[Vicinity]

Ok, I'm definitely unfamiliar with numbers and how suspension really works (like sway bar thickness, etc).

SpeedTech Tubular UCA (with redrill mod)
Stock Lowers
Hotchkis 2" (possibly 3) Drop Springs
Hotchkis Tuned Bilistein Shocks
Hotchkis Steering Rebuild Kit and Heavy Duty Tie Rod Sleeves
Hotchkis Sway Bar Hollow 1 1/8"
Hotchkis Subframe Connectors
Some form of drop leafs, undecided.

Without drop leafs, it comes out to be just over $1400, from Jegs. Would this be a significant upgrade over a pretty much stock setup? I'm mainly concerned if the SpeedTech and Hotchkis parts will work together? And should I hold off a little longer and get the SpeedTech LCA's? I'm completely open to suggestions.

I haven't ordered anything yet, but if all goes well, I plan to get everything some time this summer.

[ROBS6T8]

Looks good to me but I'm no expert. When you say redrill mod are you talking the Guldstrand mod? I'm not familiar with the Speedtech/Hotchkis compatibility. Do you already have a new steering box? Iroc swap or Lee? There's a world of difference there!

[67rally]

I think he's talking about the modified Guldstrand mod that Frank has posted pictures of using the SpeedTech arms.

There shouldn't be any problem using the SpeedTech upper arms and the Hotchkis springs, but if you add the SpeedTech LCA's, then I believe you will need their spring isolators for use with coil springs.

I would either rebuild the stock lowers with new bushings, or just save up for a set of lowers to match the uppers. There is some debate on whether a 40+ year old control arm is worth rebuilding or just replacing for safety sake.

And yes, this should be a significant upgrade over stock.

[Vicinity]

Looks good to me but I'm no expert. When you say redrill mod are you talking the Guldstrand mod? I'm not familiar with the Speedtech/Hotchkis compatibility. Do you already have a new steering box? Iroc swap or Lee? There's a world of difference there!

I'm waiting for a good IROC box to pop up on eBay right now. And yeah, I mean the Guldstrand Mod.


I think he's talking about the modified Guldstrand mod that Frank has posted pictures of using the SpeedTech arms.

There shouldn't be any problem using the SpeedTech upper arms and the Hotchkis springs, but if you add the SpeedTech LCA's, then I believe you will need their spring isolators for use with coil springs.

I would either rebuild the stock lowers with new bushings, or just save up for a set of lowers to match the uppers. There is some debate on whether a 40+ year old control arm is worth rebuilding or just replacing for safety sake.

And yes, this should be a significant upgrade over stock.

Yeah, I thought I'd ask because it'd be more like SpeedTtech LCA's vs a set of drop leafs.

[DEIGuy38]

Look here for a good spring with a lower price. Look at the 21-340spa (175 rate with 5.0 true arch), http://www.landrumspring.com/pages/leafsprings.htm?s_subcategory=7&pagenumber=1 or check here http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Camaro-Multi-Leaf-Springs,3534.html (but they only list 6.5" true arch, call and see if they can get the 5.0)

[Vicinity]

Look here for a good spring with a lower price. Look at the 21-340spa (175 rate with 5.0 true arch), http://www.landrumspring.com/pages/leafsprings.htm?s_subcategory=7&pagenumber=1 or check here http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Camaro-Multi-Leaf-Springs,3534.html (but they only list 6.5" true arch, call and see if they can get the 5.0)

Are those the fiberglass leafs?

[Rod]

Use the Hotchkis leafs so you have a matched compression rate build, that way the system is balanced to work together

[SLO_Z28]

Are those the fiberglass leafs?

No. I have them and love them.

[OnEdge]

Check out Craigslist for someone parting out an IROC for the steering box. I found one close to the house and got an 87 IROC steering box for $50.

[Vicinity]

Check out Craigslist for someone parting out an IROC for the steering box. I found one close to the house and got an 87 IROC steering box for $50.

Good call. I didn't think to check Craigs or my local parts yard for an IROC box, my local place has one in stock (Brandywine), so I'll swing by there later this week.

Any advice on a good budget PS pump for a sbc?

[67rally]

Good call. I didn't think to check Craigs or my local parts yard for an IROC box, my local place has one in stock (Brandywine), so I'll swing by there later this week.

Any advice on a good budget PS pump for a sbc?

I actually have a brand new ps pump that I bought for my '67 Camaro. The engine is a later model engine with a long water pump and I'm using '69 brackets. The pump was too wide for the brackets, so I ordered a new correct pump rather than trying to find the right brackets. PM me if interested.

I'm doing a similar conversion as you, and was offered a used set of Hotchkis 1 1/2" lowering leaf springs and possibly the 2" coil springs to go with it. I ended up ordering all new because I got a great deal, but you may want to contact the guy at the end of this thread on lateral-g.net: http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?p=343842#post343842

[OnEdge]

[QUOTE=Any advice on a good budget PS pump for a sbc?[/QUOTE]

The SBC that I bought was out of an 87 TA. The guy had the PS Pump with it so I plan to use that. I'd see if you can get the PS Pump off of the one that you are buying from the yard. I'm still in the collecting parts phase and haven't put it all together yet. I too am doing a Similar setup that are doing. One thing that I'm doing for front springs is the AFCO spring adjuster as well as AFCO springs. If you watch evilbay you can get some decent deals on the springs. I bought the spring adjusters on Craigs brand new for $50 as well. The big thing is just be patient and know what you are looking for and the deals are out there. If you are interested in my budget setup just let me know. I'm more than will to share.

[Chad-1stGen]

You have a pretty good plan there of parts but what do you plan to use the car for? That will eventually dictate what parts you use...

[Vicinity]

You have a pretty good plan there of parts but what do you plan to use the car for? That will eventually dictate what parts you use...

First and foremost, I want the car to be streetable. It'll see 90% of its time on the street, probably having fun on twisty roads. I do want the car to be capable of a road course, I really want to try and get in on a track day once I get the car setup, I've wanted to race on a road course since I was little, so it will see some track time.

Ideally, I'd like it to handle like or better than my 01 Camaro with adjustable Koni coilovers.

[RAnthony97]

Vicinity,

Hotchkis often has 15% off sales. I'd suggest signing up for their newsletter (http://www.hotchkis.net/signup.html) so you don't miss a sale and save some $$$. :yeah:

[Vicinity]

Vicinity,

Hotchkis often has 15% off sales. I'd suggest signing up for their newsletter (http://www.hotchkis.net/signup.html) so you don't miss a sale and save some $$$. :yeah:

Good call. I just signed up. 15% off sounds really good to me.

[67rally]

Good call. I just signed up. 15% off sounds really good to me.

You can pick up the Hotchkis stuff from Jegs cheaper than ordering direct.

It's already better than 15% off, there is a $10-15 handling charge regardless of the size of the order, and shipping is free. I just picked up a set of coil springs, leaf springs and Bilsteins on all 4 corners.