View Full Version : 68 camaro suspension ?'s
LOOKING FOR AN AGGRESSIVE LOOK? PROS/CONS OF AIR RIDE, PROS/CONS SUSPENSION CLIPS, PROS/CONS AM,DS,FATMAN,TCI,HOTCHKIS,RIDETECH.. The car will mainly be a show car/weekend driver.. Help ! I have been scratching my head at this thing for over a year now...Thanks:scared::scared::scared::scared:
Josh@Ridetech
05-13-2013, 08:02 AM
LOOKING FOR AN AGGRESSIVE LOOK? PROS/CONS OF AIR RIDE, PROS/CONS SUSPENSION CLIPS, PROS/CONS AM,DS,FATMAN,TCI,HOTCHKIS,RIDETECH.. The car will mainly be a show car/weekend driver.. Help ! I have been scratching my head at this thing for over a year now...Thanks:scared::scared::scared::scared:
The kits that we have available will give you a very aggressive stance, just like many of the 1st gens on this site.
Air suspension can be easily adjusted with the push of a button and has a very good ride quality. Being able to get over speed bumps or bad driveways without scraping is a huge advantage, but you still have the desired ride height. Alot of guys don't like having the electrical/wiring in their cars, but is a plug and play kit. It's all a personal preference on technology.
On the other side of air, we have a complete coilover package for your car as well. We can get the same ride quality out of these kits as the air, the only thing missing is the adjustability with the touch of a button. For a weekend/show car, you would be happy with either one! It all comes down to a preference really.
Todd in Vancouver
05-13-2013, 08:16 AM
Haven't done the final install on mine but I'm really pleased with how my TCI set-up fits and looks. As with most of the systems out there they all have enough options to take your modifications as far as you want and spend more than enough money to make the car do whatever you want.
75999
75998
I like the Air ride idea, I wouldnt mind slamming the car at car shows, but whats the longevity... also it would have to be installed by the right set of hands, or it could be hell to pay... lol...
Todd I love the setup from TCI, I keep bouncing from their website to AM, to DS. I like DS's quadralink suspension kit....
More info on my car
Plan on going with a 572 from Nelsons
18's in front with a 20 or 22x14 in the rear
Rhino
05-13-2013, 08:41 AM
First Gens tend to look a little funky with large wheels, staggered wheel sizes end up looking a little strange as well. Completely ignoring the performance impact it would have; I'd heavily advise against the 22's. A 4" stagger would look enormously out of place.
Proforged
05-13-2013, 08:55 AM
LOOKING FOR AN AGGRESSIVE LOOK? PROS/CONS OF AIR RIDE, PROS/CONS SUSPENSION CLIPS, PROS/CONS AM,DS,FATMAN,TCI,HOTCHKIS,RIDETECH.. The car will mainly be a show car/weekend driver.. Help ! I have been scratching my head at this thing for over a year now...Thanks:scared::scared::scared::scared:
How much are you looking to spend, not including wheels, tires and brakes? That will help everyone steer you towards a setup that is within your budget.
aray327
05-13-2013, 09:32 AM
More important than your budget, what is your end goal? If you want a show car only build a show car. If you want a performance car build that. Your suggested options are a mix of performance and looks! No one can tell you what is better or even what is best for you especially without knowing your goal.
I'm sure you will end up with a nice car. But be specific in your questions or all you will get are people selling you their ideas
This forum is a great place for info. Good luck
Josh@Ridetech
05-13-2013, 09:42 AM
I like the Air ride idea, I wouldnt mind slamming the car at car shows, but whats the longevity... also it would have to be installed by the right set of hands, or it could be hell to pay... lol...
Todd I love the setup from TCI, I keep bouncing from their website to AM, to DS. I like DS's quadralink suspension kit....
It's designed to be installed by someone in their garage, we try to make it as "bolt-on" as possible, the only welding is on the axle tabs on these cars. If you could dedicate a weekend to it, you could get it done.
marolf101x
05-13-2013, 10:57 AM
longevity? how about shocks with a 1,000,001 mile warranty?
Our air springs are manufactured by Firestone, and are used for many, many miles on tractor/trailers.
How much are you looking to spend, not including wheels, tires and brakes? That will help everyone steer you towards a setup that is within your budget.
I really don't have a budget, but I go after what makes sense, spending over 10 grand on a suspension just for a show car/ weekend cruiser is unjustifiable lol, anything other than that will just be bragging rights. I also want to hear what setups other 1st gens are running and pros/cons of their builds .. Attached is a mock setup that I found on the net..
My end goal, is to unload it from the trailer and park it and let the car do the talking, I keep asking myself do i want to spend 8 grand on a AM or DSE clip just for bragging rights or get what I need to get the job done.. Thats why I am anxious to hear what others have done and regrets or pros of the projects...
:hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer:I have been thinking DSE's quadralink with the speed kit 3, to satisfy my thirst ... is any one currently running this setup?
mhhhmmm... I just love the idea of being able to lay the frame at car showsss... especially with the look that I am aiming for... Mr. Gladish, will I need to upgrade my stock sub-frame.. if so what does your application work best with... FATMAN,TCI etc...
Josh@Ridetech
05-14-2013, 05:05 AM
mhhhmmm... I just love the idea of being able to lay the frame at car showsss... especially with the look that I am aiming for... Mr. Gladish, will I need to upgrade my stock sub-frame.. if so what does your application work best with... FATMAN,TCI etc...
If your stock frame is in good shape, it'll work perfectly! It's a direct fit for the stock locations.
...and we can definitely get your car to sit down :)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/05/velocity_zps543bb9ae-1.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/Ridetech2/media/velocity_zps543bb9ae.jpg.html)
I've personally driven and raced with Camaros with Fatmans and TCI equipment. They both work equally well, and are both directly compatible with our stuff. Both companies handle our products [TCI now uses the RideTech/Fox shocks exclusively]. It would be a close choice between them...the Fatmans stuff is heavy and rugged, the TCI stuff is probably a bit more elegant. Use either with confidence.
The Camaro you see above [Velocity] runs an OEM subframe in front and our bolt-in 4 link in the rear with ShockWaves all around. With the introduction of the Tru Turn system a couple of years ago, not only is the front suspension geometry optimized, but you can run an 18x10 wheel with a 275mm tire.
tumper93
05-14-2013, 09:09 AM
If you are going to run a Nelson's engine then why not just order front and rear suspension from the same company and chunk the factory piece. Bragging rights seem to be what will come if you get one of their engines. The engine costs more than my entire build and many others as well.
CarlC
05-14-2013, 09:11 AM
I really don't have a budget, but I go after what makes sense, spending over 10 grand on a suspension just for a show car/ weekend cruiser is unjustifiable lol, anything other than that will just be bragging rights. I also want to hear what setups other 1st gens are running and pros/cons of their builds .. Attached is a mock setup that I found on the net..
No matter what you do that will be one evil handling car on any kind of track. As mentioned above if the goal is car show stardom then that will lead down one path. On-track performance and handling will lead down a completely different one.
Mr. Voelkel and Gladish; Thank you for the great insight, I will be going with the level 3 air suspension yayyy i am so excited, I feel like a little kid at the candy store...
Yeah, I just love their engines, I want spectators to look under the hood and say "Lord Jesus" lol
Josh@Ridetech
05-15-2013, 05:13 AM
Mr. Voelkel and Gladish; Thank you for the great insight, I will be going with the level 3 air suspension yayyy i am so excited, I feel like a little kid at the candy store...
Just wait until you drive it :)
Thanks for the feedback
No problem!
kipmurphy
05-29-2013, 05:20 AM
I have 69 Z/28 and was pondering full DSE Subframe, Quadra-Link Rear and Sub-Frame connectors. However, as I was looking at everything adding up decided to go with a full Chassis from Roadster Shop.
This link has the picts of the install and before and after.
http://roadstershop.com/galleries/kips-1969-camaro/
BMR Sales
06-04-2013, 01:29 PM
We offer the most well-balanced, easy to install rear suspension available for the 1st & 2nd generation Camaro/Firebirds. Using our proven track record in torque arm development and application we developed a torque arm conversion kit that brings modern suspension technology to these cars.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/05/6769framenobackground-1.jpg (http://s1103.photobucket.com/user/BMR-Suspension/media/67%2069%20F%20body/67-69framenobackground.jpg.html)
Here is a VERY informative tech article written by our R&D manager explaining what it does:
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/tech/chassis/suspension_steering/1206chp_torque_arm_suspension_systems/
The guys at V8TV recently shot a great install and results video of our kit on a customers 71 Firebird:
http://youtu.be/NRKGqDRSLgc
Here is a video of a customer who got 2nd place in Street Machine Class at Kansas Good Guys last Summer. He was running air over shocks built for ride quality not performance and had not adjusted the roll center via Watt’s Link….. he should be able to cut some major time off just by addressing these issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf9qK5GLD-Q&feature=relmfu
Here is a install article that Super Chevy did a few years back:
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/chassis/suspension_steering/sucp_1111_bmr_rear_suspension_install_strong_arm/
We offer a Torque Arm kit for the stock GM 10 & 12 bolt rear differentials and a kit for guys who want a Ford 9". The Ford 9” kit includes a bare Strange housing for $600 more than the 10 & 12 bolt kits. Take a look at the link below detailing an install that a Pro-Touring member 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
The owner of the 73 Firebird made the following comments to us:
“I've put 4000 miles on it and drive it at every possible opportunity. No track time yet due to other commitments but there is always this spring. I still have to play with the shock settings to soften up the launch, it is just incredible how the car reacts from the factory setup. The rear stays planted no matter if it's in the corners or straights. I've had ZERO issues with the entire setup, I'm EXTREMELY HAPPY with it. I hope to get some auto-x & road course time this spring.”
I still can't thank you all there enough for everything, the kit really changed the car into a ride that I truly enjoy driving.”
Our entire 67-69 suspension system was recently showcased on Two Guys Garage as well:
http://youtu.be/n60dENFWPFY
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