Gm A body, Coil/shock VS coil over....are coil overs worth the premium?

[Nicks67GTO]

Lets assume we are discussing A body GM cars 64-72.

Looking at suspension packages ive noticed a lot of standard coil spring/shock packages, and then a premuim coilover shock type of setup. The price difference is almost double for the coilovers in most cases. Are coilovers really that much better in performance/handling and street driving? I know you can adjust ride height pretty easily and they sure are nice looking. Are there any other big benifits or reasons as to why a guy would want to spend double the money on coil overs vs performance coils and shocks?

[chevelletiger]

i went with dse/afco coil overs last weekend no seat time yet.they are pretty limited on stroke these abodys have,and such a short opening in the frame pocket plus the upper shock mount is alot shorter than say fbodys.i going to try them out for now till speedtech comes out with there extended upper mount.and yes you can change ride height easy BUT by lowering a car with coil overs as most people do,you also increases the spring rate and reduces the springs available motion which could have negative affects on the handling..thats what i got from speaking with mark at scandc.com he will tell you the in and outs of abodys not try to sell you the next hyped up part because the magazines say there cool.phil

[chevelletiger]

...but i did buy the dse coil overs and hpoe they work out.

[srh3trinity]

I think packaging and ride height adjustability are the big benefits. Us F-body guys have to go with them if we want to get rid of leafs so I can understand why the Chevelle guys would question the necessity.

[UMI Tech]

We sell a ton of the Viking (and also QA1) hybrid coilovers. They're a good way to get (1) ride height adjustability and (2) damping adjustability at a good price and in an easily bolted-on system. There is as you mentioned a slight negative in the travel available but most of our street and semi-serious auto-x and drag customers are thrilled with the results. The hybrid coils are kind of self policing as their level of performance fits 80% of the Pro-Tour crowd and the other 20% choose more sophisticated options and kind of already know there may be fabrication and $ involved to achieve ultra level performance.

ramey

[Nicks67GTO]

i went with dse/afco coil overs last weekend no seat time yet.they are pretty limited on stroke these abodys have,and such a short opening in the frame pocket plus the upper shock mount is alot shorter than say fbodys.i going to try them out for now till speedtech comes out with there extended upper mount.and yes you can change ride height easy BUT by lowering a car with coil overs as most people do,you also increases the spring rate and reduces the springs available motion which could have negative affects on the handling..thats what i got from speaking with mark at scandc.com he will tell you the in and outs of abodys not try to sell you the next hyped up part because the magazines say there cool.phil

So I guess the answer is that its more of a visual/ride height adjust-ability deal, than an actual in the corner performance upgrade?

[Nicks67GTO]

Oh and Iv'e talked to Marc. 1 hour and 45 minutes later my head started hurting from the knowledge bomb he dropped.....haha

[guero68]

We sell a ton of the Viking (and also QA1) hybrid coilovers. They're a good way to get (1) ride height adjustability and (2) damping adjustability at a good price and in an easily bolted-on system. There is as you mentioned a slight negative in the travel available but most of our street and semi-serious auto-x and drag customers are thrilled with the results. The hybrid coils are kind of self policing as their level of performance fits 80% of the Pro-Tour crowd and the other 20% choose more sophisticated options and kind of already know there may be fabrication and $ involved to achieve ultra level performance.

ramey

I got a set of UMI stock lower arms with vikiking coilovers but dont have the car finished yet....need to save to buy the .9in upper arms

[Danny72]

I just got finished putting DSE speed kit on the front of my el camino and it works great. The koni reds along with the springs they provide are very good for a mild build. I use it as a daily driver everywhere I go so I didn't go with crazy stiff suspension. The koni reds are slightly adjustable and I have them at just about full stiff and the ride isn't bouncy or stiff. DSE's front speed kit 1 an rear speed kit 2 work good if you go to track days here an there and also daily drive it. If you're looking to make a serious race car then you'll probably want coil-overs. It's all about preference and how much you'll track the car. My build with the suspension is in my sig of you want to check it out.

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

The largest benefit of a coil-over conversion is the ability to fine-tune your ride. There are substantially more spring rates available so getting your car to handle and ride better is not a matter of how good you are with a torch. We offer front and rear systems that will work with the stock frames on these cars and still give you a long travel shock without any welding. Click Here for applications.

Chris Alston Sr put together a story about coil-overs and the different benefits. It goes over everything that needs to be taken into account when planning your suspension package. "Coil-Over Conversions Explained"

There are several cars being built on this forum using Chassisworks' bolt-on coilover conversions. The most detailed build threads are from one of our dealers - Screamin' Performance. Click the links below to check out the builds.

1970 HellCamino
1967 Camaro

Shown here is a package that includes the upper and lower arms, coil-over shocks, springs, and all necessary hardware. It's shown with a stock spindle and the adapter that comes with the front anti-roll bar.

[chevelletiger]

So I guess the answer is that its more of a visual/ride height adjust-ability deal, than an actual in the corner performance upgrade?

well i would say if the shocks have the option on adjusting rebound and compression(double adjustables in my set up) yes corner performance is a plus,they didnt have any adjustment then more of a "looks cool bitchin parts deal for some.phil

[Nothingface5384]

since were on the subject of coil over conversion
which is the best method for an A-body
SPC lower arm with coil-over mounting plate or chiCane kit
already have spc arms
besides the price difference between the two and the obvious welding on the speedtec conversion what would bne the pros and cons between said methods?

[Nothingface5384]

Also ive read the 64-67 coil-over shocks are shorter then the 68-72 coil-over shocks?
would putting a 64-67 on a 68-72 A-bodywould this yield and extra 1inch drop? would it make suspension travel worse/limited?

[chevelletiger]

I think having the upper part of the shock in double shear is stronger,the chicane mounts the same on the bottom with a tee bar like most coil over set ups.mark said something about the stock shock mount on the frame and the lower control arm shock mount dont line up when you put a plumb bob on it,and putts stress on the shock and cause it tostart leaking...from what he said,but i really trust what he says over most ha!ha!

[Nothingface5384]

so youre stating the spc arms with coil-over mounting plate isnt better

and no idea on the 2nd question? about using early year CO shock in 68-72 car for drop, as someone said the difference was in length between 64-67 and 68-72

[chevelletiger]

I do think the spc lower with the chicane plate is better,i jumpex the gun and didnt wait for the chicane to come out.im not sure on the second question but the specs on my dse coil over shock is 9.5 comp,13.5 comp,so the comes out to a 4.00 stroke,varishock has a 4.25 stroke.check there site out they should have the specs for the different years.

[chevelletiger]

What i was getting at is the coil overs like the dse one i have with the hybrid spring is not as good as what speedtech has done with the chicane set,if only there emailed me back on my questions i asked them on what part i need to convert my afco/dse shocks to work with there set up,its been a week or so and no reply...

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

In the document I posted above, THIS ONE, Chris talks about issues with hybrid coils and arm misalignment.

[Bryce]

In the document I posted above, THIS ONE, Chris talks about issues with hybrid coils and arm misalignment.

Nice write up!