Looking for advice: 70 Skylark suspension and brake choices

[twojtyniak]

I have been trawling the web and calling different manufacturers for a while now, but can't decide the best course for upgrading the suspension and brakes on my 1970 Skylark. I'd particularly appreciate opinions based on actual experience, but all good counsel is appreciated.

The car is a 2-door hardtop with a 350 in it and 14" Buick rallye wheels. I don't want to have to go to anything beyond the 15" Buick rallye wheels unless it cripples the package. Something stock-ish or era-appropriate is preferred if I have to upgrade wheels and tires.

My goals:
Good braking. Not supercar, but at least as good as a modern sport sedan. I want to retire all of my drum brake service tools.

Good cornering performance. The car will be a daily driver, but I enjoy the twisties and will easily accept a firmer ride as long as it doesn't make other people not want to ride with me. While I like acceleration, this is not going to be a straight-line-only car.

Relatively easy to install. I can weld and fabricate and fuss if needed, but I'd rather just do wrenching for the most part. The restoration of the body is keeping me busy enough.

Easy to get replacement parts. I like to drive this car on trips and don't want to be trapped somewhere because a hose failed and it is an exotic piece or be unable to replace a caliper that seized up. Off the shelf parts that meet the need or are a reasonable starting point with upgrades later are nice when practical.

I will spend what is appropriate and necessary, but am looking for bang for the buck. I don't need to impress the kidz in the mall parking lot and am not trying to get a magazine feature article.

Thanks,
Tim

[darren@ridetech]

I just took my first road trip in our (RideTech's) 66 Chevelle since we installed our new Monotube CoilOvers on it. This is the nicest driving hot rod I have ever been in....period. In comparison; I own a 70 Chevelle that is currently equipped with our air suspenison setup, and this 66 rides at least as good as my car.

We offer a complete CoilOver kit for that car (includes front upper and lower StrongArms, tall spindles, fixed valving front coilovers, fixed valving rear coilovers, rear upper and lower StrongArms) which sounds like it would meet all your criteria. The only other thing I would consider adding would be the front and rear sway bars.

Here is a link to the products on our site.
http://www.ridetech.com/store/muscle...hash=V253.V202

[Hotchkis]

Tim – It sounds like a great project. Have you had a look at the Skylark TVS from Hotchkis? It might be just what you are looking for; bolt-on, improved performance and no fabrication or fuss required.



Here’s a video of a ’70 Skylark getting our TVS kit:



http://youtu.be/kV1hbUI_MW4