what is the best setup for a first gen multileaf rear

[Tom Welch]

I'm building a 67 Firebird and I have a satisfactory front suspension and now I am turning my attention to the rear. I wil be running leaf springs. What is the optimum leaf spring setup for this chassis? I am running 275/40r17 rear tires, 245/45r17 front tires. I have the following front setup. SPC upper and lower arms, welded seams of the stock frame, AFX spindles, Guldstrand front coils, Bilstein front shocks, solid subframe bushings. c5 rotors, c6 calipers up front.

[BlackPearl]

I have a 68 Camaro that I am running the Hotchkis TVS kit on. Working out great for me so I would recommend this for a leaf spring set-up. BTW - I am running the same size tires but in an 18" so I don't see a problem there. Also, Hotchkis uses Bilstein shocks so you would be consistant. I should mention, I am currently using the 1.5" drop but I don't think the 3" drop would be a problem either. Check out this clip as they loved the ride quality also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0asSuSBNO0&list=UU5rBpVgv83gYPZ593XwQUsA&index=2&feature=plcp

Bob

[67rally]

I'm with BlackPearl. I have the Hotchkis TVS on my '67 Camaro, 1 1/2" drop with Bilstein shocks. Also running 275/40/18's in the rear. The only thing I added was the Hotchkis Swivel Max Bushing Kit to eliminate any suspension bind. It's not a luxury ride by any means, but it does handle extremely well now. I would go with the 3" drop if I was going to do it again.

For what it's worth, I have the 2" Hotchkis lowering springs and Bilsteins up front with SpeedTech UCA/LCA's and the tall upper ball joints. Solid body mounts and Hotchkis subframe connectors. The car handle like it's on rails.

[camaro427-69]

i went with a FAF composite leaf with konis and a fays watts link. my old setup was stiff multileaf with a thick swaybar. i would have loved to swap all that stuff to a triangulated 4 or something similar but laws for historic cars won´t let me so that was the only way i could do better and it is amazing. the car is now so much more predictable to drive cause the tail doesn´t sway and hop anymore. i have a E91 bmw touring with 4wheel drive and M-suspension package and ultra high perf. tires on 19"wheels and that car sets my standards on driving. before i wasn´t able to do the same speeds on our austrian curvy mountain roads but now i can just go as fast as the bmw does. i mean it´s still no 1G car cause i´m missing some meat front and back, but i´m so happy to get an 43 year old car that close to the street level of german performance engineering.

[Tom Welch]

I like the idea of a watts link, Who is FAF? I'd like to study their compsite spring.

[MCB Matt]

Depends on budget. We carry almost every brand out there. If you have the $$$ get away from leafs, of not DSE or Hotchkis is a great spring for the $$$ and a GOOD set of shocks to match the fronts.

Let me know if i can help.

Matt

[jknight16]

I like the idea of a watts link, Who is FAF? I'd like to study their compsite spring.

I believe he's referring to flex-a-form. Hyperco makes composite springs as well.

[camaro427-69]

http://www.flex-form.com

like matt said i would love to replace my leafs with a good 3/4link/torquearm setup just not allowed to, but when you want to stay with leafs i think it´s a good way to go. you can email mark at FAF, he was extremely helpful ([email protected]).

[camaro427-69]

btw. i ordered my leafs with no bushings and machined a set of spherical bearings into the housings with bushings in the frame......the leaf eyes won´t fit the spherical bearing sets available from hotchkis etc......
rené kooger (neki67 here on PT) emailed me some helpful links for parts (unfortunately in the UK) and you can check the writeup on carl casanovas homepage
http://www.geocities.com/casanoc/

[Pete68]

Tom Ive got 3" Hotchkis in back ( I had the 1.5 but it was not low enough so I switched out). Using bilstein shocks and Adco sway bar that I bought way back in 1990 or so. Also running 275 rear but with a 18 inch wheel. Im using C5 rear rotors and plan to use C5 rear parking brake but have not set that up yet. I did just buy the C5 parking brake backing plate on ebay for $100 so just need to buy/make some spacers. Pretty happy with the set up so far.

[neki67]

btw. i ordered my leafs with no bushings and machined a set of spherical bearings into the housings with bushings in the frame......the leaf eyes won´t fit the spherical bearing sets available from hotchkis etc......
rené kooger (neki67 here on PT) emailed me some helpful links for parts (unfortunately in the UK) and you can check the writeup on carl casanovas homepage
http://www.geocities.com/casanoc/

I'm glad it's working out for you Pat!

And yes, it's a very nice working set up, isn't it? So much more responsive and from a couple of track visits I can tell you they're performing there as well!
59211

@ Tom,
if you would like to follow the composite springs/Watts link road, please don't hesitate to contact me for some more info.

[camaro427-69]

hey rené watch out your suspension is so good it´s peeling your rubber of the front rim hahaha

[ROBS6T8]

^^^^ I love that pic rené! Very cool.

[neki67]

hey rené watch out your suspension is so good it´s peeling your rubber of the front rim hahaha

Front tire pressure was on the low side, ambient temperature was low (approx 10C) and I was experiencing slight understeer. The picture told me what I was already suspecting; should have used a bit more front tire pressure.

[camaro427-69]

blablablablabla stop blaming it on everything else ;) when are you coming? send your boys with the train and bring the camaro :)

[rohrt]

I have a 68 Camaro that I am running the Hotchkis TVS kit on. Working out great for me so I would recommend this for a leaf spring set-up. BTW - I am running the same size tires but in an 18" so I don't see a problem there. Also, Hotchkis uses Bilstein shocks so you would be consistant. I should mention, I am currently using the 1.5" drop but I don't think the 3" drop would be a problem either. Check out this clip as they loved the ride quality also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0asSuSBNO0&list=UU5rBpVgv83gYPZ593XwQUsA&index=2&feature=plcp

Bob

That video was awsome!

[cadwiz]

We are going to run flex forms with a reversed eye to lower the reara bit, a watts link and i'm also throwing a set of cal trac bars on. It is all going on a mustang II. the price was right around $600 for the leafs. My machinest is running the same set up on an old mustang road course car and it is great, I believe he is using ride tech coils also.

[neki67]

blablablablabla stop blaming it on everything else ;) when are you coming? send your boys with the train and bring the camaro :)

Blablablablabla; you better get your a** over here in about a month time to join us in this year's edition of the Fast Car Festival (http://www.fast-car-festival.nl/muscle-cars). That way we can pop your track cherry! :yeah::yeah: