Front suspension recommendations for 2nd Gen Fbody?

[skreaminshicken78]

Hi guys,

New guy with a '78 T/A resto-mod looking for recommendations from those that own 2nd gen Fbodies and have their front suspension setup completed. I like the speed tech top and bottom tubular control arms along with QA1 coil overs and the prices does not seem to bad. I am open to other kits as long as price is reasonable (don't need to go robbing banks now... :)) any input?

Thanks
-Rick

[Rod]

Im going to tell you Hotchkis, easy bolt-on, car handles on rails, add ridetech shocks and its a winning combo, plus their at many of the autocross and roadrace events to support us, my little budget car has beat down many, high dollar fancy cars, I hear lots of rattling about one brand or the other, when Im at an event and the manufacture is there putting there name out, thats the big winner for me

[killer69]

Hi guys,

New guy with a '78 T/A resto-mod looking for recommendations from those that own 2nd gen Fbodies and have their front suspension setup completed. I like the speed tech top and bottom tubular control arms along with QA1 coil overs and the prices does not seem to bad. I am open to other kits as long as price is reasonable (don't need to go robbing banks now... :)) any input?

Thanks
-Rick

Sounds like your on the right track to me

[TBART70]

One day soon I hope I will be using my SpeedTech setup. I just read a great article in Camaro Performers that made me want it on the road even more.

[skreaminshicken78]

Oh yea? What's the name of the article?

[TBART70]

Second to None in Sept. 2012 edition .SpeedTech performance's Track time kit.

[MuscleRodz]

Hi guys,

New guy with a '78 T/A resto-mod looking for recommendations from those that own 2nd gen Fbodies and have their front suspension setup completed. I like the speed tech top and bottom tubular control arms along with QA1 coil overs and the prices does not seem to bad. I am open to other kits as long as price is reasonable (don't need to go robbing banks now... :)) any input?

Thanks
-Rick

I would throw out the QA1's and install Ridetech. Worth the upgrade in performance and maintenance

[skreaminshicken78]

Second to None in Sept. 2012 edition .SpeedTech performance's Track time kit.
Thanks will look it up


I would throw out the QA1's and install Ridetech. Worth the upgrade in performance and maintenance
Will take into consideration thanks!

[MrQuick]

I would throw out the QA1's and install Ridetech. Worth the upgrade in performance and maintenance

+1 to that

[tflyboy77]

I'm using the Pro-touring F-body comp suspension and love it. Prices are fair and the products are top notch. They also have all of the extra braces you need to get your car to handle.

[skreaminshicken78]

I'm using the Pro-touring F-body comp suspension and love it. Prices are fair and the products are top notch. They also have all of the extra braces you need to get your car to handle.

Did you order from Dave directly? How long did the shipping take? I keep getting mixed reviews regarding PTFB...

[tflyboy77]

I ordered from Dave direct and on a couple of parts there where delays but he was very clear about how long it would take. In my opinion, I would not order PTFB over the Internet. Call and talk to Dave directly and he will cover any time restraints and get you the correct setup. I am running just about everything he makes except for control arms. I just can't afford them yet. My 77 T/A with 550 HP handles like a dream on the road and on the autocross seams to be very competitive. I think that I'm the weak link in handling.

[Hotchkis]

Im going to tell you Hotchkis, easy bolt-on, car handles on rails, add ridetech shocks and its a winning combo, plus their at many of the autocross and roadrace events to support us, my little budget car has beat down many, high dollar fancy cars, I hear lots of rattling about one brand or the other, when Im at an event and the manufacture is there putting there name out, thats the big winner for me

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Our products have been used and enjoyed by everyone from the daily driver to the hardcore auto-crosser and road racer. My biggest suggestion when contemplating what suspension to install on your car is to make sure that all of the parts are designed to work with each other. That is why we created the TVS packages - a well engineered and thought out complete handling package for your car. A lot of people have run into issues when trying to mix and match parts due to products either not fitting with each other or the handling result not being what they wanted since the products were not designed to ever compliment each others' geometry or stiffness. Check out this great article on Summit's Blog talking all about suspensions for classic muscle cars. It has some great insight for both the beginner as well as the experienced builder: http://bit.ly/RuvQRJ

[skreaminshicken78]

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Our products have been used and enjoyed by everyone from the daily driver to the hardcore auto-crosser and road racer. My biggest suggestion when contemplating what suspension to install on your car is to make sure that all of the parts are designed to work with each other. That is why we created the TVS packages - a well engineered and thought out complete handling package for your car. A lot of people have run into issues when trying to mix and match parts due to products either not fitting with each other or the handling result not being what they wanted since the products were not designed to ever compliment each others' geometry or stiffness. Check out this great article on Summit's Blog talking all about suspensions for classic muscle cars. It has some great insight for both the beginner as well as the experienced builder: http://bit.ly/RuvQRJ

Good article! Thanks for the input from everyone and will keep everything mentioned in mind. I will later post my final choice here.

-Rick

[skreaminshicken78]

**Removed due to double post**

[tflyboy77]

How about some pics to tide us over until you upgrade?

[skreaminshicken78]

How about some pics to tide us over until you upgrade?

lol! its definitely not much to look at at all! I currently have the front end apart, waiting on a cherry picker to remove drivetrain so I can start disassembling the sub frame for PC.

Here she is as she sits today: https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/08/377328E76AD04CCEAE9A27FE7215587038430000-1.jpg

[tflyboy77]

I remember those days!! That's the stage where you feel like it will never end. It all pays off though. Keep us posted.

[skreaminshicken78]

I remember those days!! That's the stage where you feel like it will never end. It all pays off though. Keep us posted.

yes sir!

[coolwelder62]

I would throw out the QA1's and install Ridetech. Worth the upgrade in performance and maintenanceI agree w/Mike the RideTechs are 10 times the shocks of the qa1's.Ride Tech are made in the Good ole USA.QA1's made in China.

[5spd540]

I have pro touring F body stuff front and rear on my 73 camaro

[skreaminshicken78]

Just a follow up to let everybody know, I went with PTFBs competition suspension setup with tall upper balljoints, solid body mounts, and sub frame connectors. Car has been taking a while to put back together but will post pics of the suspension completed.

[aps63]

Looking forward to seeing your progress pictures.

[skreaminshicken78]

I made a project thread to show the progress:
https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?95690-Project-Skreamin-Shicken-78

[Sean Cooke]

Good Choice!!

[SLO_Z28]

Just a follow up to let everybody know, I went with PTFBs competition suspension setup with tall upper balljoints, solid body mounts, and sub frame connectors. Car has been taking a while to put back together but will post pics of the suspension completed.

Great call. Good kit and youll be very happy with the results.

[Schubitzky]

Hopefully this isn't a thread hi-jack. I'm new here too, even though I've been stalking the site for several months now. I'm also struggling with what to do for front shocks on my '81 camaro. I was thinking QA1 coil overs simply for ride height adjustability because they cost so much less than the ride techs. But, now that I've heard they're chinese, it kinda makes me uneasy about them. What do you guys think of using a cut stock coil (not original, about 10 years old) spring and the new HQ monotube shocks ride tech is coming out with? I can do that cheaper than the QA1s. I'm just slightly concerned about cutting coils to lower the car ~2". Are the ride techs really that much better? any thoughts?

build thread to come as I'm still assembling pics, but I've got GW UCA and del-alum bushings in the stock LCA and PTFB SF connectors. Car will be used for sprited street driving, occassional auto-x. thanks.