2nd gen camaro rear suspension HELP

[5spd540]

What do you guys have and how do you like it.

[FirebirdSteve]

Going with Speed Tech Torque Arm.

[5spd540]

Have you started it yet?

[srh3trinity]

I have a ridetech four link and will be going with coilovers. Probably more cars out there with this type of setup than any other setup

[5spd540]

That is what I have been looking at but want to see some feedback on some set ups before I do anything

[srh3trinity]

That is wise. There are some great second Gen setups out there. I went with ridetech but considered the DSE Quadralink and also the three torque arm options.

[5spd540]

Well I have some time to decide I hope to be ready by the 1st of the year

[musclecarmatt]

DSE leaf spring setup with PTFB chassis bracing...adjustable rear sway bar.....it holds it own pretty well.....

[5spd540]

DSE leaf spring setup with PTFB chassis bracing...adjustable rear sway bar.....it holds it own pretty well.....

Yea just looking for something different

[5spd540]

WHy did you go PTFB and DSE stuff why not stay with 1 kit

[BMR Sales]

I usually ask a few questions before I make any suggestions to determine the best possible bang for the buck.

I think many guys spend more than they need or will use. I pride myself in asking as many questions as possible before making a decision on what is best for the customers hard earned money.



First question is what do you have for goals for the car once it is done? Is it going to be a factory restoration, daily driver/weekend cruiser, weekend warrior/drag car, ProTouring/handling machine, etc.

Second question is do you need and/or plan to improve the braking & steering systems to compliment any suspension upgrades?

Third question is do you have a specific budget in mind?

Lastly, do you plan to do the work yourself?




We offer a true BOLT-ON Torque Arm kit for stock 10 & 12 bolt applications. We also offer customers interested in a Ford 9" that includes a bare Strange housing for $600 more. Take a look at the link below detailing an install that a member here completed with our Ford 9 in. kit in his 1973 Firebird:

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?80483-BMR-Torque-Arm-Installed-on-my-73-Firebird/page2&highlight=TORQUE+ARM

[5spd540]

Weekend car some autocross for fun and some dragracing mostly street driving
I have 4 wheel 12in disc on it now steering I have not done yet.
money why worry about it now. I have a ton in it already
Yes all work will be done in my shop.
I have a tko600 and a dart 540 for the car now the motor will be making low 700hp and mid 600tq

[killer69]

Speedtech Torque arm is probably the EASIEST install of any of the options, lots of room for 3" exhaust OVER the axle. No frame cutting. price is 2199 including shocks.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/7081SpeedtechCamaroTorqueArm1-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/7081SpeedtechCamaroTorqueArm2-1.jpg

[5spd540]

That looks pretty cool

[BMR Sales]

Speedtech Torque arm is probably the EASIEST install of any of the options, lots of room for 3" exhaust OVER the axle. No frame cutting. price is 2199 including shocks.




I would say a kit that bolts on would be easier than a kit that requires welding to install. How much is the kit with the housing? What is the brand and model # of shocks that come at that price? Is it made in the USA or at your facility in BC Canada?

[killer69]

I would say a kit that bolts on would be easier than a kit that requires welding to install. How much is the kit with the housing? What is the brand and model # of shocks that come at that price? Is it made in the USA or at your facility in BC Canada?

2199.00 for the torque arm with QA1 Single adjustable shocks.
if you want RideTech single adjustable shocks add 250.00

With a Strange housing fully welded with all brackets to your specified width with Big Ford Ends add 710.00
2995.00 extra if you want the complete Strange built rear end fully assembled, any width, any gear ratio, Strange posi.

If your really hardcore and want the NEW Chicane floater rear end with ZR1 hubs and Hituff axles, cooling ports, straightened to within .005" over 60 inches, Strange center section, Corvette Parking brake assembly then you would need to add 5499.00

The following list shows where the parts are made

Torque arm formed and welded in Canada steel is supplied from USA.
Strange housing finish welded in Canada manufactured in USA
Strange axles and center section USA
Shocks QA1 USA
Ridetech USA
Chicane Floater USA
ZR1 SKF Hubs Tiawan ( as far as i know)
All the sub assemblies bushings etc are made inhouse.

Thanks For Asking Rich. it is good information to have out in the pubilc forum.

Blake

[5spd540]

Not a bad price IMO

[SLO_Z28]

I would argue you could accomplish a lot with just springs, shocks and sway bars. My car has turned into a 10/10ths car (as much as the budget allows anyways) and I don't think I am at a disadvantage by having a leaf spring suspension. Get the cars total weight, and corner weights, choose the right springs and sway bars, then get some shocks made and dynoed to your specs. My car is just a springs and sway bars car and it handles amazing, there is a great balance to it, its very predictable and very responsive:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC_0816-1.jpg

[killer69]

Don't know that anyone would argue with you, The biggest thing I think guys are looking for is adjustability, the cool factor and options for wheels and tires, you have a hard time fitting 345 on a leaf spring car, with out changing the shocks to inboard mount on a X member and cutting into the front frame and moving the spring pockets, off set shackles narrowed tank, plus leaf springs are not all that adjustable, for the average guy to have to try and TUNE a leaf spring car to work is out of grasp. How many sets of leaf springs does a guy need to buy to make it work? how many guys can have shocks "Made and dynoed" to work?? I am not knocking your approach, its admirable in this day and age of "Easier" way to accomplish the same thing. Is budget a factor? sure it is, for most. you have obviously done a awesome job with your combination hats off.

[5spd540]

The car has agood set up now but want a little more I guess

[David Pozzi]

I agree with Blake. At the point where you mini-tub the car, keeping leaf springs requires relocation of the leafs & shocks, that money is better spent doing a link suspension or Torque arm and getting a little more stability and tuneability. A big benefit from the lower unsprung weight is the ride quality improvement which also can help the car maintain traction over bumps when running hard. But leaf springs do work well if you don't need 335's on the rear.

[SLO_Z28]

how many guys can have shocks "Made and dynoed" to work??

I would argue that everyone here should do that. One thing I don't like about a non square tire size is you will almost always be chasing an understeer problem. As far as tuning spring rates, its really not different than a coil over setup, you dont just stab in what the "kit" sells and call it good, you have to match the springs to the car and leaf springs are about the same price as coil over springs. They are much harder to change though, and the coil overs are MUCH better for corner weighting a car.

I actually just noticed, what does the speedtech kit do for a swaybar?

[killer69]

I would argue that everyone here should do that. One thing I don't like about a non square tire size is you will almost always be chasing an understeer problem. As far as tuning spring rates, its really not different than a coil over setup, you dont just stab in what the "kit" sells and call it good, you have to match the springs to the car and leaf springs are about the same price as coil over springs. They are much harder to change though, and the coil overs are MUCH better for corner weighting a car.

I actually just noticed, what does the speedtech kit do for a swaybar?

LETS GET IT ON!!! lol the coil over springs are only 75.00 each for the good ones. and don't discount the shipping cost. I do agree that matching the springs can make a big differance.
as far as a sway bar we ran one on my Nova and to date have not found a signifigant improvement on track with or without. we are working on an option for both first and second gen cars. because people ask for it.

[5spd540]

I decided to keep leafs on mine for the reason of I want to go out on the track and play with the guys with all the new suspension stuff while I am still old school

[badazz81z28]

I decided to keep leafs on mine for the reason of I want to go out on the track and play with the guys with all the new suspension stuff while I am still old school

People have had great success with Leafs. I wiil say one thing, don't waste your money on PTFB crap. STAY AWAY FROM DAVE!

Has Hotchkis released their 3 link yet???

[5spd540]

No can do on dave I want to finish my car this year. I will say dave has good stuff but his service sucks

[badazz81z28]

No can do on dave I want to finish my car this year. I will say dave has good stuff but his service sucks

I have had all his parts before. They are so...so....parts. I ended up selling ALL of it for Hotchkis. His customer service and the wait for shipment is beyond what one would consider unacceptable. As far as his other suspension stuff (Ball joints/tie rods etc), its all cheapy Elgin parts. Buyers beware for sure.

[5spd540]

I saw a guy with a TA at let local race track and he was putting it on all the new camaros and vettes with a 35 year old car with all daves stuff on his car

[SLO_Z28]

LETS GET IT ON!!! lol the coil over springs are only 75.00 each for the good ones. and don't discount the shipping cost. I do agree that matching the springs can make a big differance.
as far as a sway bar we ran one on my Nova and to date have not found a signifigant improvement on track with or without. we are working on an option for both first and second gen cars. because people ask for it.

The down side to not having a sway bar is that all of your chassis roll is then controlled by the spring, the result will be less a less compliant ride, and less weight transfer which will limit forward acceleration. The upside is that you don't unload your inside rear tire on turns because the sway bar is picking it up. Ideally some of your roll control comes from sway bars, the exact amount depends on a lot of factors but there is an ideal balance.

Now lets get back to the kit, and what you actually gain with the torque arm. The instant center is lower, and is tunable in a more ideal manner by adjustment of the rear control arm angles. You can set ride height in a more ideal way because you can control the installed height of the coil over by knowing the corner weight and spring rate. The other benefit of the coil over is being able to set the cross weights (which can be one of the bigger changes in a cars feel), while this does affect ride height the 2 should be thought of as being different adjustments achieved in different ways. You can also adjust the roll center of the car and get the rear to weight jack more, or less, depending on the desired results. You can use the pan hard rod as a tool, along with an adjustable sway bar to get more or less roll steer from the rear.

The biggest thing for any product is proven results, you can talk about theory all you want but the proof is in the pudding. No offense but I don't buy into the fact that you've been campaigning this style of kit on your first gen as proof of concept, the two platforms are not even remotely the same. Now I'm not saying that this kit does or doesn't work, just that your earlier argument is invalid.

[5spd540]

I have had all his parts before. They are so...so....parts. I ended up selling ALL of it for Hotchkis. His customer service and the wait for shipment is beyond what one would consider unacceptable. As far as his other suspension stuff (Ball joints/tie rods etc), its all cheapy Elgin parts. Buyers beware for sure.

That is true about his service how does he stay in business

[badazz81z28]

That is true about his service how does he stay in business



I don't get it....So many warning and people still buy....Than they post a thread saying hes not delivering....Some people are dumb!

[5spd540]

I don't get it....So many warning and people still buy....Than they post a thread saying hes not delivering....Some people are dumb!

I dont know why he is so slow

[Hotchkis]

Weekend car some autocross for fun and some dragracing mostly street driving
I have 4 wheel 12in disc on it now steering I have not done yet.
money why worry about it now. I have a ton in it already
Yes all work will be done in my shop.
I have a tko600 and a dart 540 for the car now the motor will be making low 700hp and mid 600tq

5spd540,
I would definitely suggest taking a look at our TVS system. If you are looking for the an easy option with proven results then this is it. Our latest Stage2 TVS system has everything you need from leaf springs to sway bars and chassis bracing to shock absorbers. Every part of this system was designed to compliment the others to give you a complete, well-engineered kit. In last 2010's Super Chevy Suspension shootout a Hotchkis TVS-equipped F-Body bested the competition (including cars with Independent Rear Suspension) by 0.02 seconds in the autocross - not bad for a car with leaf springs. This same car was also driven by Pulitzer-Prize winning Automotive Journalist Dan Neil who said about the car, "In 20 years, the best car I’ve ever driven.” Not only will the TVS system give you the ride and handling you are looking for while autocrossing, but it is still compliant enough not to enjoy on a daily basis driving on the street. For more information on the TVS Stage2 kit please visit http://www.hotchkis.net/stage-2-total-vehicle-system-19701973-camaro-firebird--big-block-2-drop.html for info on the 70-73 kit or here http://www.hotchkis.net/search.html?Make=7&Model=1044&SubmitForm=Search to see the rest of our 2nd-Gen F-Body products.
Here is a picture of all that is included in the TVS kit:

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If you decide that you want to take the next step beyond the TVS Stage2 system then I would suggest looking to our brand new 3-link system. This kit eliminates the leaf springs and replaces them with more traditional coil-over shocks. With its improved geometry, new trailing arms, adjustable Panhard Rod, and adjustable shocks, traction is improved while wheel-hop is greatly reduced. The adjustable upper trailing arm also allows you to make pinion angle changes easy. For more information on this kit please visit: http://www.hotchkis.net/19701981-camaro-firebird-3link-rear-suspension-coming-soon.html

63347

This setup was also featured in a recent Super Chevy article that you can find here: http://www.superchevy.com/features/camaro/sucp_1201_hotchkis_1971_chevrolet_camaro/

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[73RSZ28]

I have all PTFB stuff been happy with all of it. True some waiting is envolved, but Dave is good people he offers a wealth of knowledge for free. I think people get nervous when orders don't show up in a week or two. I will say this, the last order I made was through Keith at Custom Works and it was a little easier. Keith emails quickly and also offers real world knowledge for free. Oddly the parts still shipped directly from PTFB but in half the time as normal. I think Dave has issues with the retail side of the business.