1972 Chevelle project

[Chirp08]

Here are some pictures of my project over the last 6 months. After buying a 2008 VW Rabbit for a daily driver and having fun pushing the handling in it on these back roads I felt a need to redo the Chevelle's suspension and in turn make it reliable. Before it was completely stock on 30yr old bushing and parts. I actually had the bolts on the drivers side upper A-arm snap once, and when removing the passenger side the bolts were stuck due to being similarly fatigued and bent. They could have gone at any point.

Onto the pictures, I decided to go with essentially the SC&C stage 2 kit and related components.


Getting started, here is the last time I had it out before starting, stock suspension, gives you an idea of how high it sat.


Mmmm, new parts, nothing like a big pile to look forward to:


SPC Upper control arms, I kinda regret not getting the slightly upgraded arms though, just to make them easier to adjust. I had a lot of blisters from trying to twist those tubes.


Side project, installing the locker into the rear. I had to clearance the carrier opening to get everything in there but it works perfectly now.


These weren't my first choice in terms of shocks, but I had a $200 gift card to spend at a speed shop and saw a few project cars on here with the same shocks so decided these would suffice.




Eibach 1.3in lowering springs, these were nice and easy to install thanks to being shorter:


My favorite part on the whole thing, the ATS spindles, what beautiful pieces:






Some pictures after installing everything, but before the front brakes arrived (had to wait 4 weeks on backorder for them)

Although I loved this stance, it wasn't streetable, very little clearance underneath, and the tires would rub in the turns, so I ordered up some 1inch rubber spacers.

[Chirp08]

*sigh* notice some frame rust in this picture. It's not as bad as it seems but rust and metal work is my next big issue. Still the stock front sway bar, thats up next, front and rear with bushings.








Final stance after spacers installed:


New brakes arrive, what a nice kit:

[Chirp08]

All finished (for now)


I'll grab a few more pictures and update this thread. Took it out yesterday for the first time and it drove awesome. It tracks perfectly straight and is actually quite smooth over bumps. The front brakes completely fill out the front wheels, it looks like I'm running those fake disc brake covers they are so big haha. I couldn't be happier.

Also my dad did the garage floor with U-coat it after I finished this project, figures, but now it looks even better sitting in there

[WS6]

very nice. congrats on getting it to handle better and look a lot better too.

[Tony_SS]

Looking good. I like that color.

Not a huge deal, but I think the rotors should be flipped so the outside edge of the slot hits the pad first.

[andrewb70]

Any vibrations above 75 mph?

Andrew

[Chirp08]

Any vibrations above 75 mph?

Andrew

I'll let you know this week, haven't had it past 50 yet. Before I started it had some kind of a vibration that is hopefully gone now.

Also in the pics you can see I had the calipers flipped side to side, figured it out when the brakes wouldn't bleed *doh*. Will flipping the rotors make much if any difference?

[Texas 1972 Velle]

Awesome!!!

[andrewb70]

...Will flipping the rotors make much if any difference?

If the rotors have straight vanes inside then you can flip them side to side. If the vanes are angled then they are directional. Like this:



Andrew