Chevelle suspension input wanted.

[Derek69SS]

I'm building a whole new chassis for my '69 Malibu, and I'm ready to start ordering parts. I'll be running 15" wheels on the street, so any 13" brake conversions will not work. I'm looking at probably 95% street miles, 3% drag, 2% road course (closest track 5 hours away :( )

Here's what I'm thinking:

Front:
B-body 12" disc tall spindles w/ 1LE Camaro Rotors, B-body calipers.
Stock lower A-arms with poly bushings. I have a pair of arms w/ oval bushings that I plan to use.
Pole-Positions adjustable uppers w/ rubber bushings.
QA-1 coilovers, will specify bigblock for stiffer spring, even though I'm running a SB (not sure what spring-rates are available???)
Sway-bars, I can test, I have 15/16", 1-1/8" and 1-1/4" to try.
Anything I need to do to minimize bump-steer???

Rear:
UMI lowers with spherical bearings on both ends
Stock uppers with rubber bushings on both ends
Springs... undecided, need input!
Brakes, 11" discs, I already have
I have an F-41 rear sway-bar I will test as well, if the UMI arms come with the provisions.

Wheels/Tires:
Street-15x7 TTII's w/ 235/60 BFGs and 15x8 TTIIs w/ 255/60 BFGs
Track- I'm thinking 16" IROC wheels with some good Z-rated tires.

Motivation:
95 Caprice 9C1 LT1 - stock for now
4L60E w/ shift kit & 3200 stall lock-up converter
3.08 10-bolt posi with 11" discs

Don't hesitate to tell me I'm wasting my money on any particular part of the combo.

[MrQuick]

I have nothing positive to add as far as you choices looks good so far...don't let Dennis discourage you on your front end choice. Its nice for heavy street and medium track use.
On the rear I have found a spherical frame side and rubber diff side for the upper. Im working on a spherical joint for the diff side. I haven't had any luck using them with no hop bars. Keep in touch if this interests you?
Any reason why no 17's? They do have very nice drag slicks now.

[Derek69SS]

17s will be coming when I have money. I'm blowing the whole tax-return on suspension goodies. With all the expense of putting the LT1 in, I don't see how I could afford 17s for a while.

I was thinking about the UMI adjustable uppers w/ spherical frame ends, and using rubber on the diff. end, but Dennis convinced me to stick with stock uppers.

[MrQuick]

ok fine now its bugging me...I know you are mostly street so rubber should be fine since no one likes poly anymore...I must admit I use them still in the front. But you have all this money in UMI and Pole position stuff why not go all out in front with Del's? It will help on the drag stripo too Just curious....not pokin.
I've seen it alot...oh its just a street car...but then I hear " man I wish I would have done it when it was apart". Try to plan ahead and don't feel like your over doing it. By the way what the hell is UMI????

[MrQuick]

ok he's already got you.... he heh , just pryin...remember he's working against the competition. <--- me a happy 3rd! jk Den

[Derek69SS]

This is what UMI is:
http://www.umiperformance.com/abodyca.htm

While I certainly respect everyone's opinion, I don't want to just be a "sheep". I really want to understand why I'm spending my money on certain parts.

What benefits do the Del-a-lum bushings have over Poly and Rubber? I haven't really read anything with real experience with them, and I see that they do not offer oval bushings.

[wickedmotorhead]

Ask and you shall receive this place offers the oval delrin bushings:
http://www.4raceparts.com/Other/chev...ontrol_arm.htm

[MrQuick]

If you ever had a chance to compare Dels with Poly's try it. The Dels don't deflect or restrict control arm movements. Its a very resistance free bushing. edit.[ They also can improve 60 ft times and consistancy].
Personally I don't like em on the street, very harsh ride over stock.Thats one of my reasoning for using polyeur's on a street mild track car (non competitive car). It has less deflection than stock,and free movment if lubricated and maintained correctly ie. zerk fittings and the proper lube.I have replaced the center sleeve with a slightly longer one in the past with good results. I've had no problems with Energy suspension bushing but have with PST poly-graphite bushing very noisy after a couple months. I do agree stock or spherical in the rear...poly's would create bind.
I'd recommend swapping the oval a-arm with a round one. I have seen guys at the track using Nova lower arms and b body spindles.From what i've seen its common practice. I don't know the reasons behind it but the cars were very competitive.

thanks for the link, thats some good sheet

Im not saying to be a sheep just adding some suggestions to products I have used in the past. In the end its up to you.

[dennis68]

At some point I'm going to have to get somebody for a fun run that can be objective. I run Teflon lowers and solid steel uppers, NVH is improved over the stock albeit worn out stock. Since I have never ridden in or driven a well rebuilt stock suspension I don't know how it ride with fresh rubber bushings.