Coilover Suspension

[68renner]

Another question for you guys. Is it possible to install coilovers on stock 68 camaro control arms? If so how much work and trouble is it? If I go with coilovers on stock a-arms/aftermarket, how much work is modifying the lower control arm to accept them? And last but not less, like I said before, I've already got 2" lowering coils and need to go about 1.5 more inches lower now, will getting that 3.5" of lowering be pretty easy with a coilover setup? Thanks for all the help guys!!

[68renner]

Oh, and one more...how much will a pretty good set of coilovers cost? How much will I be looking at total, if I have to replace the upper arms also?

[baz67]

3.5" total drop! Holy crap. You are correct that you can get there with c/o's. However, I hope you do not plan on driving it. That amount of drop at static ride height only leaves around one inch of bump travel before you hit the bumpstops. You will hit every pebble on the road with your subframe as well.

I would look at the DSE c/o conversion. With the kit, shocks, springs and new UCAs you are looking around 1800 or so. Another option is the QA1 setup. That will set you back around 450 or so. I would beef up the lower control arm shock mount area if i went that route. New uppers will set you back around 500.

[68renner]

nobody else got anything for me??? what all do i have to modify on the stock a-arms to install coilovers? just reinforcing the lowers? and if so, how and how much would you suggest doing so?

[Van B]

I thought there was a true bolt in setup. I will look for the link. Varishock or something rings a bell.

[chicane67]

3.5" drop..... man, you are just looking for all the problems in that can of worms.

Stock control arms dont do well with coil overs..... there is not enough material there to support the weight associated. If you were to do it, I would use the DSE LCA coil over mounts and then mount what your gonna do. I just dont know if Kyle sells the LCA platen kit by itself.... but it would be worth the phone call.

[68renner]

That's what i hear..If that's the case I don't really understand my situation. I see many cars that sit the way they should in the front, however mine will not. I have 235-40-18's on the front along with hotchkis 2" drop springs and there is still 2" of gap between the top of the tire and the fenderwell. Which leads me to believe I need some more drop.. but according to you guys that's going to be too much...I don't know what the problem is or what to do!!!

[chicane67]

Have you driven the chassis with the new springs yet ?

If not, remember that the springs need to settle and there are a few other things to look at first.... like if the spring is seaed in the perch and clocked correctly. Other than that, a few miles on the springs will do.

[68renner]

Yes, they've been in the car for probably a year or so now. And i'm pretty sure everything is correct on them but I'll check on it, never can be to sure. Other than that I'm not sure what the best thing to do is.

[aonghus]

to properly implement coil-over shocks, buy the DSE kit. QA1 makes a coil over that mounts indentical to the factory shock, and allows adjustability, but just as the fellas above said, there is not enough material on the LCA (or on the stock shock/UCA mount) to support the loads. I am knee deep into my conversion and it's going to cost me $2080 minus shipping in the end, thats with the DSE LCA/UCA & DSE Valved Koni's (for the money the koni's are the best bet, unless you plan to get crazy and run some double adjustable afco's or something)

One thing you should keep in mind... lower is NOT always better, especially on the road, think about speed-bumps, driveways...

Also, you should be able to order the LCA coil over bracket from DSE, call their offices, Lindsay is more than helpful. They're open til 6PM EST. 704-662-3272

[68renner]

Thanks for all the help guys. I appreciate it. It looks like I'm either going to have to go about $2000 deep or go the budget route and stick with coil springs for the time being. We'll see how the finances play out!

[aonghus]

I have been pondering what to do with my suspension for a long time...

I originally thought tha sticking to the coil spring/shock and stock LCA/UCA's was the best bet... until I analyzed what it'd cost..

Powdercoat for UCA/LCA $150 for all 4,
Pressing out ball joints & bushings. $100 for all 4
New del-rin bushings, $150 for lowers
Hotchki's coil springs, $134.19 @ summit
Hotchki's sway bar $180 @ summit
new MOOG ball joints $200 all around ($50 a pop)
New shocks, (i payed $275 for all four bilsteins, so say half that)
Pressing bushings back in.... $100

all said an done, you're looking at 38 year old suspension design, with new springs, ball joints and bushings.

that is what I pieced togeather from calling shops and prices I found online, it runs aprox $1100 for the front setup...

Whereas if you compare the DSE 'system' you're looking at $2080 for:

Koni Coil Overs & Springs ~$680
DSE Swaybar $180
DSE LCA's $575
DSE UCA's $650
+ DSE Coil over Kit $500

= $2585

Price versus performance, I'll spend the extra $1500, not deal with shops, powdercoating, getting my crap done correctly and the way I payed for it to be done.
That and I figured, why the hell should I tear this all apart again in 10 years... enjoy it now, afterall its just money... lol

[awr68]

QA1 makes the direct bolt in C/O kit for the front...not sure how low you can go with them though.

I did the DSE conversion and used QA1 Proma Star Coilovers w/ 9" springs. Also I'm using the DSE 1/2" lower body mounts. I was able to lower my car at least 3 inches (total), anymore and I ran into issues with the LCA hitting the Hotchkis sway bar mount. In order to lower the car as much as I did the sway bar mount zerk fitting had to be relocated to the back side from the bottom...this gave me over 1.25" of bump travel which Kyle (DSE) said was minium but would work fine.

[Camaro Zach]

you dont need new lowers DSE even sells the kit that welds into your stock lowers. There is plenty of strength there once you weld in the plate, its not any less than where the factory spring mounts