overwhelmed by choices for a-body suspension

[looter]

I'm trying to wade through a pile of information for my 71 Monte Carlo build.
I'm not trying to build a high dollar max effort car, but something that handles well and is reliable.
I've always said it's better to offer 3 choices rather than 5...because the customer is more likely to not make a choice at all when presented with too much information.
I'd like a suspension that I don't have to **** with after it's set up and I don't want to buy the latest and greatest, just something proven.
can somebody please point me in somewhat the right direction?
what info do you need from me?

Thanks

Warren

[andrewb70]

I'm trying to wade through a pile of information for my 71 Monte Carlo build.
I'm not trying to build a high dollar max effort car, but something that handles well and is reliable.
I've always said it's better to offer 3 choices rather than 5...because the customer is more likely to not make a choice at all when presented with too much information.
I'd like a suspension that I don't have to **** with after it's set up and I don't want to buy the latest and greatest, just something proven.
can somebody please point me in somewhat the right direction?
what info do you need from me?

Thanks

Warren

Sounds like you want to keep it simple.

I would rebuild the whole suspension using poly bushings. If you want, add some tubular upper control arms for looks. Add some firmer lowering springs, a fast ratio steering box, a 1.25" sway bar or an equivalent hollow bar, and adapt some late model brakes to the stock spindles (Kore3 makes adapters).

Just those changes will transform your car immensely.

Andrew

[looter]

Thanks.
What about for the rear?

[killer69]

Buy Canadian......... that should reduce your options.

[looter]

lol.....and double the investment....despite the dollar being near par.


annnd of course I realize you were being serious and a site sponsor several minutes later....lol

[andrewb70]

Thanks.
What about for the rear?

Here you have to be really honest with yourself in terms of how you plan to use the car. If your car had a rear sway bar from the factory it will also have the reinforced stock lower control arms. If this will be mostly a street car there is no reason to spend a boat load of money. Again, just replace the bushing with poly. Yes, the poly bushings will bind somewhat, but on a car that is mostly street driven it won't matter much. A set of lowering springs and you are good to go. If you want to avoid the bind that is cause by poly bushings get lower control arms that have a heim joint on the frame side and a delrin bushing on the rear end side. Install new rubber bushings on top of the rear end housing no matter what option you go with. That will help to reduce the bind so that the rear end can more freely articulate.

Andrew

[UMI Tech]

I'm trying to wade through a pile of information for my 71 Monte Carlo build.
I'm not trying to build a high dollar max effort car, but something that handles well and is reliable.
I've always said it's better to offer 3 choices rather than 5...because the customer is more likely to not make a choice at all when presented with too much information.
I'd like a suspension that I don't have to **** with after it's set up and I don't want to buy the latest and greatest, just something proven.
can somebody please point me in somewhat the right direction?
what info do you need from me?

Thanks

Warren

Hi Warren.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'm thinking you might like to see our '72 LeMans build.

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=72lemans

We have much the same situation where we turned our '72 into a strong, reliable general purpose street machine. Our kits are easy to select and of course we can help you choose.

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_254

Your type of request is exactly what we specialize in. Our parts aren't the latest trick of the week, just solid, well-built, USA made bulletproof suspension. As Andrew mentions, brakes are important, so we converted to front discs and can help you with the proper part numbers. A fast ratio box is on our list for January 2012.

Everything is on sale right now for Christmas (through tomorrow).

ramey

Oh, and PS, a cool thing about suspension is you don't have to do it all at once. We can work with you to upgrade in stages and in the correct order so you can enjoy your car sooner rather than later...

[rrelco]

Speed tech all the way...............you will love it.....

[MonzaRacer]

Honestly let me recommend from the stand point of having had and driven a 71 Monte and a 70 Monte.
In my 70 I used a 64 to 67 12 bolt, then added cargo coils from Moog for a 69 Pontiac Catalina/Bonneville and when I re did car with big block in 94 after my wreck where I broke my hip and collar bone. I installed a TCI Saturday nite Special converter, 402 bbc and South Side machine Lift bars and 15x8 ralleys and 255/70 Hoosiers.
Then when I pulled it off road in 96 to drive my 71, 71 then broke cam and got to add my roller 350 block, less roller at this time. In spring of 98 I managed to get my LT4 HOT roller, boxed upper and lower control arms and added poly bushings, then in fall before 98 East coast Power Tour I went down to Air ride Technologies and got rear air springs and mounts and actually ran individual lines to rear bumper, no pump.
Worked awesome, road awesome and handled even soooo much better. We made it through power tour trip.
Then in 2000 was dating a local girl and we swapped in my SSM lowers and narrower 12 bolt and went drag racing. ride , traction, all worked soooo well.
Too bad both cars got wrecked but were fixable, sitting in buddies dads field,,, he had some crushers in and both cars got crushed with all parts but no engines or trans in them but both 12 bolts.
Get some good upper and lower arms, think about adding rear CoolRide, heck just mount 2 paddle switches in trunk and small compressor IF you want on board air,,,would be cool as you can use onboard air to air up tires and such(my current 78 C10 has an AC compressor for air and I have a rubber hose with ball valve to turn it on and off).
Honestly I love my air ride on anything especially if your going to cruise a lot as it give so great a ride, other parts are fine from who ever but the Ridetech stuff makes handling soooo much better even if only on rear.
BUT good arms also help too and dont forget to look into using something like a Johnny joint or similar to take some of inherent bind out too.
Good Luck.

[LSxChevelle]

I have been very impressed with the input and info UMI has had to offer. I plan on going with their Stage 3 kit with 1/2" taller upper ball joints, Delrin bushings, adjustable lower rear, QA1's, and the soon to be released pro-touring rear bar. I think it will all come in around $3K but will bolt on and be a complete confident ride!

Jason

[exwestracer]

I would definitely recommend the rear upper arms with the rotator sleeves, as shown in the UMI build. This will allow you to run the firmer bushings without binding the upper arms. As Andrew stated, not much to do with the lowers other than strengthen them if needed.

If you go to stiffer bushings in the front LCAs, make sure the bolts go in without hammering, or the arm will be bound up before you start. With a Poly or Delrin bushing kit, you should be able to move the arm up and down by hand with the bolts tight. If not, there is a compliance issue.

[TAC42]

X3 on the UMI. I'm running there suspension on my 71 Chevelle. Quality suff for sure. Great guys goal with

[TAC42]

X3 on the UMI. I'm running there suspension on my 71 Chevelle. Quality stuff for sure. Great guys to deal with

[looter]

Thanks for all the input guys.
very much appreciated.

[jilge71]

Call marcus at sc&c... He is awesome and can tell u what u need to fix the A body suspension to handle like a new car!!!

[jeyroz]

Call marcus at sc&c... He is awesome and can tell u what u need to fix the A body suspension to handle like a new car!!!

That's good advice. I just finished Mark Savitske's (SC&C) book, "How to Make Your Muscle Car Handle." As a result, I'll be returning the parts previously purchased for my 1964 LeMans, and rethinking my entire approach.