Hopefully a basic package for a good street suspension

[Tudorwagon]

I'm thinking of getting somewhat more serious about the suspension modifictions for my '65 Chevelle 2-door wagon project. The parts I already have which I'll likely retain include:

-front QA1 coil overs
-rear QA1 adjustable shocks
-front 1-1/8 inch sway bar
-rear 1-inch sway bar (may remove it if road testing dictates)
-Hotchkiss rear springs which provide a slight drop
-Air Lift air bags in the rear springs (it is a wagon afterall)

The car already has later model stock a-body spindles with stock 11-inch front brakes and Cad 11-inch rear disc brakes. There will be room for improvement on the brakes in the future but I may be restricted by my desire to remain with 15-inch wheels. The combination of coil overs and rear air bags should allow me some amount of crude adjustability. The individually adjustable rear air bags will also be helpful at the drag strip to help with planting both rear tires equally, but that's a whole other set of goals...

The upgrades I'm considering adding include:

Front:
-SC&C Street Comp Stage II (tall ball joints, adjustable upper arms)
What do you do for upper bump stops with these tubular arms?

Rear:
-UMI fully adjustable upper and lower arms, rod ends everywhere except at the axle housing on the uppers
I'm unsure if maintaining rubber bushings in the housing would be as good or better than installing poly bushings in the rear end as I'm trying to compromise somewhat between max handling and an overly harsh ride. To add to the overall challenge I'm running a big block and a manual 5-speed and also want to meet some drag racing goals (12-second quarters).

Input appreciated. I do not have an unlimted budget as I still have the rest of the car to restore yet! My first new car was an '85 MR2 (which I still drive in the Summer) so if I can make the wagon keep up with the MR2 in the corners I'll be more than pleased!

[element180]

What do you do for upper bump stops with these tubular arms?

Energy Suspension has a wide range of bump stops

[Tudorwagon]

I've been doing a little more reading and perhaps the Currie upper and lower rear arms would be a better choice on the street while maintaining rubber bushings in the rear axle housing.

[Tudorwagon]

Can anyone provide any input concerning the benefits or detriments of rear control arms with rod ends (UMI) vs. control arms with Johnny Joints (Currie). My goal is to have a somewhat low maintenance street car with a tolerable ride.

[Karch]

Anyone have any experience with these UMI arms?

[Goatman]

Anything with rods ends on the street will be more headaches that its worth...