'55 Chev suspension question

[EdwardsSS]

I just acquired a '55 Chev Sedan and want to make the car handle better. The Morrison frame is a dream. What can I do to a basically stock suspension to make the car handle better without spending a fortune? Better yet, can you give some ideas as to what can be done with two to three grand to spend on suspension components? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thx,

Ed

[MrQuick]

The basics that work on Camaro's should work well on the boxes.

Stiffer springs, Poly bushings, adjustible shocks, bigger sway bars, brake upgrade and performance minded wheels and tires.


Be sure to start a build thread as soon as you figure it out.

[EdwardsSS]

MrQuick...thanks for your input. That sounds like the best lower dollar path to take. -Ed

[jy211]

power steering for sure

[darren@ridetech]

One of the worst parts about the suspension under that car is the leaf springs. We (ridetech) offer a bolt-on 4link that replaces the leaf springs which does a much better job at locating the axle and controlling axle wrap. We also make tubular arms for the front that allow you to run more caster/camber to aid in the handling. The 55's were especially bad on alignment, we actually found a service bulletin from 1956 stating how to correct the alignment issue on 55's. It actually direcected the technician to drill new holes in the frame for the lower cross shaft. The StrongArms also allow us to use a longer shock absorber to get more wheel travel and a better ride quality. Both systems will work w/ our Shockwaves or CoilOvers.

Here is a link to all the products we make for the Tri-5's....
http://www.ridetech.com/store/muscle...tures_hash=V41

[BBPanel]

...We also make tubular arms for the front that allow you to run more caster/camber to aid in the handling. The 55's were especially bad on alignment, we actually found a service bulletin from 1956 stating how to correct the alignment issue on 55's. It actually direcected the technician to drill new holes in the frame for the lower cross shaft. The StrongArms also allow us to use a longer shock absorber to get more wheel travel and a better ride quality. Both systems will work w/ our Shockwaves or CoilOvers. ...

How about the steering side of things - do you retain the factory box, upgrade it or do you have a R&P? I've been looking to do a front-mount rack but unless you modify the crossmember the rack sits forward too far and the steering arms are at such an angle that it limits turning radius. -Bob

[dontlifttoshift]

What Darren said plus....

CPP steering box and ridetech or hotchkis swaybars. hotchkis also has a complete steering rebuild kit that's heavy duty.

We did a 55 with all heidts stuff (arms with more caster,coil overs, and 4 link) and the cpp box and Hothkis front sway bar with Heidts sway bar in the rear and it was very good. Win an autocross good? No, but very drivable, comfortable, and sure footed at freeway speeds.

I would expect similar results with the Ride tech parts.

If a 4 link is out of the budget or a bigger job than you want to tackle, Eaton Detroit spring makes the best leaf springs in the country for those cars and they can lower it up to 3", too. Couple that with GOOD rear shocks and the hotchkis rear sway bar and you have a decent bolt on setup in the rear. That said, do the 4 link if you can....

Donny

[Hotchkis]

What Darren said plus....

CPP steering box and ridetech or hotchkis swaybars. hotchkis also has a complete steering rebuild kit that's heavy duty.

We did a 55 with all heidts stuff (arms with more caster,coil overs, and 4 link) and the cpp box and Hothkis front sway bar with Heidts sway bar in the rear and it was very good. Win an autocross good? No, but very drivable, comfortable, and sure footed at freeway speeds.

I would expect similar results with the Ride tech parts.

If a 4 link is out of the budget or a bigger job than you want to tackle, Eaton Detroit spring makes the best leaf springs in the country for those cars and they can lower it up to 3", too. Couple that with GOOD rear shocks and the hotchkis rear sway bar and you have a decent bolt on setup in the rear. That said, do the 4 link if you can....

Donny

Donny - Thanks for throwing our name in there. Steering and leaf springs definitely suffer on the tri-fives. They were also lacking sway bars for handling. If they had been made to handle, they would have also come with a sway bar. That's where we step in. We offer a great swaybar package for the Tri-Five and it's a huge improvement for taking corners and driving enjoyment.


http://www.hotchkis.net/tri_5_chevy_sport_sway_bar.html


http://youtu.be/Lh0SoUa4ro0


Here's the instruction PDF if you want to see how the kit is installed:

http://www.hotchkis.net/_uploaded_files/22105.pdf