2nd gen front suspension upgrade
 

Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade the front suspension on my 73 camaro. Right now it has poly bushings all over, and hotchkis springs. The rear has hotchkis leafs.

Car is street driven once a week as hard as I can without getting into trouble. It will not see an autocross as I'm in south tx and there's nothing here but a drag strip which I will take it to every few months but I want the car built more for handling than drag. Currently runs on 19x8s 245/35/19 and 19x10 295/30/19.

Budget is $1200-$1500. Eventually would like to widen the front wheel to 9".

All opinions and thoughts would be appreciated.

I'd recommend Keith at Custom works http://www.customworksperformance.net

He did my front end and has many options, to very affordable and well set-up to wild. He's a 2nd gen guru....

Get the front end braced, change out to tubular upper control arms that alter the geometry, and make sure your brakes are up the challenge of stopping the car. You should be able to work with your springs. You may need to get proper shocks if you didn't match those to the springs. So far, I'd say you're on the right path. You just need to keep going.

The Hotchkis springs and Leafs are very good to use as a base, I would add a tubular control arm set, a good front sway bar, adjustable shocks, subframe connectors, and front chassis stiffening bars

here's why
1)the tubular arms increase the suspension rigidity and most have an increase in caster to help handling
2)a big front sway bar helps control body roll , safer on the freeway and increases handling
3) adjustable shocks allow you to soften them for drag race, set to medium settings for daily use, and when the Goodguys show comes to town turn to stiff and try autocross
4) subframe connector reduce body flex and forces the suspension to do its full job..even your drag racing runs will be quicker and more constant
5) front chassis stiffening bars do the same as the subframes, forcing the front frame to become more ridged and helps turn in

Mark,


If youre interested, I'm going to be picking my 78 Camaro apart here Mid December. It has a complete Hotchkis Suspension and has about a couple thousand miles on it.

Hotchkis Upper and lower control arms, Hotchkis tuned Bilstein shocks.

I also have the Hotchkis Sway bars.

Like to set you up if youre interested. I can work with your budget.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...1z28/121LE.jpg

bam, way to go right there.

Im with Rod here, pop in down bars and i'll add solid sub frame bushings. Keith at Customworks can set you up. Next is the steering box and frame stiff bar.

Nail the backspace and you'll get those wheels in there.

Ok so I checked out custom works stuff and looks pretty solid. What's you alls take on protouring f body (PTFB)?

I'll probably get some control arms first and then work my way into some better shocks and springs.

better question is "whats your take on them"?? I just ask because with all the reputable brands here Hotchkis, Detroit Speed, Speed Tech, Global West, BMR, you pick those control arms


if your staying with springs, and you have Hotchkis, there the best springs around

(DSE) $1400 for control arms so my budget is pretty shot there. (BMR) I was told I may want to wait until they revise the arms as there was not much change from stock other than being lighter and tubular. (Hotchkis) real nice but pretty expensive as well. (Speedtech and GW) is more what I'm leaning to and the price is right but I like knowing all I can before I just whip out the card.


I guess I was hoping to upgrade to coilovers since that seems to be becoming the standard plus able to adjust height and ride by just turning a wrench or adjusting a knob is appealing as well.

This is all learning for me as I have no experience with any of these parts. I asked about PTFB primarily due to price. But once again I have no experience with them.

Umm...Did you see my post? Hotchkis Arms are not out of your league


I have personal experience with PTFB. Don't waste your money. There was a time when I had their control arms and steering kit. The quality and the durability is not there when you compare them to the bigger names. I sold off all that junk and bought Hotchkis not that much later. I use to have side by side pictures of their arms compared to the Hotchkis. The Hotchkis tubing is larger, the bushing areas are larger, the welds are better and importantly, the ball joints didn't strip under torque. :confused59:

There is a reason why DSE, Hotchkis, Speedtech, Global West are big names who are used by a lot of folks and proven on the track.

PTFB is nothing more than budget parts. You can't compare those to arms that are 100% tig welded, Chromoly Billet cross shafts, quality ball joints, and Delrin bushings.