Thinking about Air suspension for my 55 - Any advice ?

[ProTeal55]

Hey,

I have been thinking about doing a simple airbbag setup on my 55, but I am not sure if I wanna go that route or not. And just for the record my car is as far from the term "pro-touring" as it could be at the momment, but I am slowly getting it their. This is the car (and color) I have always wanted, so I am in no rush to get anything done..

At the momment my otherwise stock 55 Bel-Air is running QA1 12 way adjustable coil-overs up front, and a 2'' lowering block out rear (yes, it still has leaf springs ). The car is slammed as low as it is gonna go and still be driveable in the mean streets of Chicago. I would like to replace this with some sorta Airbag system that will allow me to get the car down even lower when parked (as I love that look with these cars). As plans for some larger wheels are def. in the works, which will make the car look that much better with a slammed stance..

I guess my main question is - is it worth it ?
How much lower is a airbag system going to get this stock framed car to the ground ? Whats the best system for this car for the $$, and anyone know of a good shop in the Chicago/Illinois area that can do something like this ? I am more than capable, just no room to do it (1 car garage with no heat)..

As usual, all help is appreciated...

[Rubes]

I would have to say GO FOR IT! After the showing of the AirRide cars at RTH2, it would seem that adding the AirRide will take your car one step closer to being PT. I just ordered a complete system for my '61 Impala from Frank/Lisa at GPsuperstore. It's not "cheap" by any means, but is anything in this hobby? You could go with a manual controller rather than the high end computerized, digital display ones if you want to save a few bux. I like the shockwaves because of everything being basically "self contained". As for a local shop, cant help ya there. I'm doing mine in my one car garage with a torpedo heater (easier to heat the one car than the 6 car).

Rubes

p.s. I got a 210 sedan in those same colors stashed as a future project.

[wiedemab]

I should be finished my first air ride install in the next few weeks. I was also impressed with ART's stuff at RTH2. I'll post what my first impressions are once I get it back on the road. Weather permitting.

Rubes - what don't you have stashed for a future project. I thought we had a lot of projects.

Later,

Brandon

[Rubes]

Rubes - what don't you have stashed for a future project. I thought we had a lot of projects.

Ha...I've been clearing out stuff latley
Sold:
Flathead powered front engine rail
Superchaged flathead '30 ford 5 window coupe (real steel original '50s hotrod)
'73 TransAm

For sale;
68 Chevy Caprice big block

Current project(s);
'61 Impala LS1/4L60, AirRide
'83 Malibu wagon Buick Turbo v6

Stashed Future projects;
'55 Chevy 210 sedan
'60 Belair Hardtop
'79 Malibu wagon (2 door/nomad phantom)
v8 Fiero, maybe a GT40 kitcar

Current "finished" rides;
'70 GTO Judge
2001 S-10 Xtreme (summer daily driver)

[ProTeal55]

Ok, so say I go with some shockwaves up front, and a air of leaf system in the rear. Will my stock framed car be able to sit as low as the car below ?

[Rubes]

That I'll have to deffer to someone that has done it, or the AirRide guys that are on here. I'm ging to guess that you wont be able to "lay frame" with a leaf spring system.

[MuscleRodz]

Ok, so say I go with some shockwaves up front, and a air of leaf system in the rear. Will my stock framed car be able to sit as low as the car below ?

I doubt it will sit as low as this one without modification to your stock chassis. i beleive this car sits on Morrison rails if i remember right.

Mike

[ProTeal55]

RUBES - Where about in Big Chicago are ya located ?

[Rubes]

Lombard is about 28-30 miles straight west of downtown.

[1sick65]

ProTeal55...I’ll start by saying I love your car. [/COLOR]

If you’re going to buy air-ride, stick with Air-Ride Technologies. They are in the industry leader for air-ride, and have a complete kit from mild to wild for you car.

Using the stock a-arms and trailing arm set up, I can almost guarantee that you will not lay frame, but it will be hammered. My 65 has air-ride and my front cross-member sits on the ground.

[seanv]

luv that car dennis! wow!

[camaro608]

i have something to say DO IT

[CapSS92]

Hi,
I've done several of their systems and I would have to say to stick with the Coolride bags for the front. The Shockwaves look nice but I am not impressed with the ride plus the shocks have a tendency to leak after a while and they ain't cheap to fix. As for the rear I used the kit that leaves the stock leaf springs and replaces the shocks with the Shockwaves and I can say I am definitely not impressed. The travel was only 3-4 inches and I had to use a lowering block to get a decent stance out of it. Dunno about the four link for the 55 but I did one on a 67 Camaro and again the ride was very stiff and it was hard to get a good ride out of it. I think the problem lays with the skinny Shockwaves they use on their rear setups. Not a whole lotta travel and they don't have a lot of air volume inside since a shock runs thru it. Your experience may vary but that's what I've run into. HTH.

Jonathan

[darren@ridetech]

What kind of problem did you have with the shock leaking? We use double "O" ring top and bottom. It hasn't been a problem.

[MonzaRacer]

Hey Cap I havent heard of any one having leak problems with Shockwaves, either air or hydralicaly. I have seen lots of people use Shockwaves and never have any problems. Most generally there I would say there has to be a specific reason for them to fail(ie damaged, possibly a chance bad unit, or improper instalation and not saying you did anything wrong). I have seen cars that go well over 200 mph and get driven A LOT with no problems. So if you have issues you need to actually find the problem THEN state something for the record as Idont see anything about Shockwaves as "skinny" and for the record after pacing some ofthe generic copies against Shockwaves there is no comparison,, the ART stuff is even beefier.
Now I do have Cool Ride on my 78 C10 and have a leak somewhere but it isnt the springs but since its winter Ill live with it till warmer climates.
I have seen a lot of garbage knock offs but the fit finish and quality from ART has been second to none.
As for having to do other work to get low I do believe they tell you that system would only lower it 3-4 inches. To get a super low stance it takes more than an add on shockwave kit to get super low. I know that if I wnated to get my truck lower I need to remount my system and add a C Section.
I did take about 8 inches out of the backof my truck with a parrallel 4 link and air bags. and I had a learning curve on mounting shock on that truck.
OH and I have installed Shockwaes on vehicles that have many thousands of miles(ie daily drivers) with no other problems than road debris damage, or worn lines, etc.
I have put many many miles on my system and I fully intend to use Shockwaves at least on front of my Monza and maybe even on the rear if funds allow.
I dont like adding any air ride to a leaf system as I have seen mixed results anyway. I feel air over leaf has some limitations and if you leave in too many leafs it has a too rough a ride and if you remove too many it doesnt lend to handling as well.
And I do believe its actually billed as a less expensive option to a full on redesign.
BUT all ART systems have thier places and used and tuned will provide results within specific ranges.

[ProTeal55]

I think I am gonna hold off on the whole air ride deal at the momment, and put that cash towards other areas of the 55. The main reason I wanted to do it was to get the car lower than it currently sits now, and that doesnt seem like it is gonna happen without some major (and co$tly) frame mods. I still need to put some kinda crate SBC in there to replace the boat anchor thats under the hood currently, few paint issues, stereo, etc..

Thanks for all the help/opinions, they are much appreciated as usual..