Shock recommendation

[chicane67]

2.7 to 4.5-5 is going to make a very noticeable difference in high speed stability and incrrease the road feel in the steering wheel itself.



I'd say... its time for some arms. 5-6* would even be better for some alignment configurations... and maybe it will for the VBP stuff as well.

[Jeremy]

The transverse spring is supposed to be 80% stiffer in roll than a comparable rate coil spring. Apparently the vette engineers were trying to do away with a front bar and use the unique properties of the transverse leaf.

I thought I would test this theory and loosened my endlinks (rubber) as much as I could just before they would rattle. I drove the car this way and it was wonderfull. The car was very balanced and ride over bumps was greatly improved. I don't know how much the front bar is working now.

I will probably remove the endlinks and see how things go. I would definitely say I will be at least moving to a smaller front bar to balance things out and smooth out the ride. It will also reduce the weight on the front.

I'll keep everyone posted, but so far the possibilities look good.

[Jeremy]

I was bored today and figured I would play with the spring rate on the VBP setup. It took 30 minutes or less to change the rate and I went from the softest to the middle setting.

The ride is so much better. It felt like the first setting may have been bottoming out suspension travel. Bumps are much softer and the car is much controlled. The bouncy feeling is much less as well, but I figured that might happen. It also made the front end a little stiffer in turns but I too would have guessed that given a stiffer spring rate.

The system is definitely adjustable and easy to change. I can't wait until the Bilsteins come in to see how that affects things.

[81Nascar]

Sounds pretty awesome.

[Jeremy]

The Hotchkis Bilsteins for a 69 Camaro came today and I got them installed. The lower mounts needed a little massaging as they were a little narrow, but otherwise no problems. They were the perfect length and I now have full suspension travel.

With the springs set on medium, the ride was incredible. Bumps that used to make me slow down and cringe pass without any fuss. The car feel so light and responsive. Turn in is very crisp and this is still with the endlinks as loose as I can go. The next step is to remove them and see if I even need a front bar.

On bumps were both tires hit the bump at the same time, it feels like I could use just a tad more rebound control, but it is not uncomfortable at all. The car never feels out of control. It rides so smooth that I will most likely try the stiffest setting on the spring.

I am truly amazed the difference a set of shocks can make. It makes me wonder how well the Hotchkis Bilsteins would work on the rear with the stock leaves.

[6'9"Witha69]

I am truly amazed the difference a set of shocks can make. It makes me wonder how well the Hotchkis Bilsteins would work on the rear with the stock leaves.

Shocks make all the difference in the world. Glad to hear your combo is coming out right.

[jeffandre]

The Hotchkis Bilsteins for a 69 Camaro came today and I got them installed. The lower mounts needed a little massaging as they were a little narrow, but otherwise no problems. They were the perfect length and I now have full suspension travel.

With the springs set on medium, the ride was incredible. Bumps that used to make me slow down and cringe pass without any fuss. The car feel so light and responsive. Turn in is very crisp and this is still with the endlinks as loose as I can go. The next step is to remove them and see if I even need a front bar.

On bumps were both tires hit the bump at the same time, it feels like I could use just a tad more rebound control, but it is not uncomfortable at all. The car never feels out of control. It rides so smooth that I will most likely try the stiffest setting on the spring.

I am truly amazed the difference a set of shocks can make. It makes me wonder how well the Hotchkis Bilsteins would work on the rear with the stock leaves.

Jeremy, any word on the trying the stiffer spring setting yet? I ran both the middle and stiffer setting, never the softest one. How are the shocks doing now that you have had more time with them? I plan on getting the Bilsteins too, looks like 69 Camaro fronts, and probably 70 Camaro rears (have VBP rear springs, 200#).

I had at least 3 different front coils setups, and 2 different leaf setups before switching everything to the VBP epoxy springs. The control, quickness, predictability, and overall comfort with relatively high spring rates has been phenomenal. It has been a while since the car has seen the road, but I know it will see limited time this summer. Marcus has me thinking about adjustable shocks again, we'll see...

[Jeremy]

I haven't had enough opportunity to drive the car much with all the snow we have been getting lately. It actually feels a little under sprung still. I did get a chance to tighten the end links on the front sway bar and see how much difference that made. I was expecting mucho understeer and it actually tightened things up a bit, but it still feels pretty balanced around town.

The shocks are definitely worth the money. Even with 3/4 inch spacers under the Edelbrocks, I am sure I was bottoming the shocks over certain bumps adding to the harshness. With the shorter shocks, I could get full movement of the suspension when I tested.

Before the shock change, tight end links made the car under steer so bad it was not enjoyable to drive. I don't know enough about shocks to say why it is more balanced now with a tight sway bar but it is.

If ride comfort is important I recommend the rubber cushions to mount the spring to the arm. I tried the poly and they were noticeably more harsh. I would say that the rubber compresses a bit at first and softens road impacts. Most of the time rubber compressing is a bad thing but in this case I think it is beneficial. I would say that it acts like a progressive spring and the first 1/4 inch or so compresses at a much lower rate than the leaf spring. Since the movement is controlled by the geometry of the arm and the shock, it isn't changing any alignment specs, just the level of resistance.

I agree with you that the springs react very quickly. I think the ride has actually improved on my car and it just feels lighter, although loosing weight up front never hurts.

I do plan to weld the mounts to the subframe and gusset everything where I can to make up for the material I removed. I hope to add composite leafs this summer or fall. How do you like the 200# rate for the rear? I was leaning towards the 150 but VBP does not list this anymore, just the 200.