Rear suspension advice needed on a 68 Firebird
 

Its a 1968 Firebird, and Im going to use a 8.2 BOP rear axle.

I had planned on using CAT-5 Global West leafs.

The plan is to have a fast cruiser that might occasionally see some track time. But I want a car that can handle curves well as I have been known to blast down hilly/curvy backroads. I dont mind if the ride is a little harsh, but I dont want it to feel like I am going to lose a tooth filling driving around.

I was looking at some of the 4 link type retrofit kits, and I think they would be out of my budget, OR delay the car quite a while

Thoughts?

Nothing wrong with a good set of leafs and the right shocks. I have zero exsperiance with firebirds so can't recommend any companies, look over there
<
<
<
for vendors that offer what you need.
I'm running JRI and QA1 stuff on my junk...a buddy has ran both RideTech and QA1 on his charger and likes the RideTech shocks much better.

Dan

just looked that up and

Leaf vs Link
Cat 5 leafs are $816.00 bucks

those also require the Del-A-Lum Shackle Kit for $193.12 to make them function as intended (say so in the Globalwest directions)

Ridetech 4 link $1300 bucks

shock/coilover setup

shocks for leafs part #22189842 $350 pair

Coil over for link part #11166509 $550 pair


total

Leafs-shackles and shocks $1359.12

Link and coilover $1850

Awesome

I hadnt seen any Bolt on type kits, and that is pretty reasonable price.

How is the quality?

pretty good! I'm sure someone will back me up on that

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1acb95c4.jpg

Haha, nice!

Yea you guys have convinced me. I didnt think I could get a 4 link set up for under $2500 let alone 2k

I was reading through the instructions, seems pretty simple install. Only thing that might kick my butt is the welding onto the pumpkin. My welding skills are lacking, but I do have a buddy that is pretty good. Either that or get a shop to do it.

I run the RideTech bolt in 4 link too, and very happy with it.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...41481284_n.jpg

Do you run a sway bar with that 4-link?

Also seems like with teh coil overs, it would be easier to put in mini-tubs

I have the Camaro rear bar on mine.

I just put the ridetech 4 link in a 69 firebird over the weekend and am super happy so far! If I didn't already have suspension for my 73 it would get it also.

cool, thanks!

run the sway bar if you have a wide 315 or 335 tire if your running a 275 rear tire the sway bar isn't as necessary...it can make the car loose

Loose is fast and on the edge of out of control...

ummm...no

So I only know what I've seen, that being said, Danny Popp is almost out of control, looks loose and hauls ass.

On the other hand maybe the cars so tight he's on the verge of being out of control, either way he hauls ass.

Hope that helped, haha!

HAHA!

Hit the pace car!

we look loose because were hauling ass, not because the cars loose. Under any other drivers control the cars are perfectly setup, and then we run on the ragged edge just above control, that is the one thing I often have to show beginning drivers is that they need to push the car harder and brake harder, if your not willing to go there every time you will not be fast, this weekend was a perfect example my car Jane developed a REALLY bad shake above 130mph on the roval at Michigan International (ungodly vibration and extremely loose) coming off the front straight onto the infield after inspecting everything in the pits all we could guess was I lost a driveshaft weight so I was slow because I wouldn't push it above 130 so I wouldn't damage the trans and toss the shaft, you see your maker at 140mph down shifting off the banked front straight and the car slides about 30 feet sideways into the infield and bottoms out at 85mph on the transition as you set up for the infield, yep that's on every lap with Nascar barriers, fencing, water barrels, and tire walls just feet away.....very cool...our cars aren't loose we just push them to be there

http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/x...psdcd4999c.jpg

Some people get it, some dont...

ok, good info there.

I was planning on running 275-40-17s

definitely dont want the rear end loose

You dont want your car to push either. Having a push at corner entry or mid corner can lead to snap oversteer which in my opinion is worse. If you have your car set up neutral to loose you at least know what the car is going to do.

so its not a stead fast rule....most cars with a 275 rear tire and 275 or smaller front tire don't need a sway bar....MOST...I have had 1 or 2 that pushed like dump trucks without the bar and I had to have one put on.... even on a 275 rear wheel car, just letting you know ahead of time, I never want to talk someone into a 400-500 dollar rear bar unless its absolutely needed, that's big money that can be spent elsewhere

I think once I finish up the car and see how its driving, then I will see if I need it or not.

you are 100000% right.

I could do alot with 500

best idea

I totally agree with Rod on the budget friendly 4 link. I had bad luck with leaf springs on my 68 Firebird in the past. I had a set of Hotchkis leafs snap completely in half on a non track car going 35mph up hill. And yet another set of Hotchkis leafs with a faulty locator pin which caused my wheel bend my sheet metal. In my opinion they aren't too bad when used with a quality shock but once I installed the 4 link it was night and day. The set up Robs brought up is an amazing value. :gitrdun:

Leaf spring is about the worst suspension for performance thats why only pickup trucks use them today. They are super heavy so unsprung weight is bad and there is nothing it keep them from shifting side to side like on a 4 link or even on the previous mustang with the solid axle that had the panhard bar to keep the axle from moving. Automakers used them because they were cheap.

Just find a stiff leaf set up and put in a rear bar and go with it.

I have used both leaf springs and 4 links, they both achieve the same result, ....just most don't tune leafs, ride heights, sway bar, adjustable shocks, anti-squat, swivel bearings....and so on, most people just bolt them on add a cheap $50 shock and wonder why the car doesn't handle

yep, all about balance. Balance equals confidence equals line control.

What pace car? They don't have pace cars in this type of racing.

:peepwall: