Planing for the future- suspension ?'s (70 Chevelle)

[tt69camaro]

I have decided to buy 18's and put 305/45's on the rear and 245/45's on front. I upgraded to bilstein shocks, front/rear sway bars and adjustable upper and lower rear control arms. I need to lower the car over these new wheels. What is the next step? This is NOT meant to be a corner carver, just a decent handling muscle car. Do the front control arms really need to changed to tubulars? Do I need drop spindles? What springs should i go with or should I just put coil overs on it? Thanks

[coolwelder62]

I would look toward Ride-Tech A-Body program.A-arms,spindle's,Muscle bar,Ridetech mono tube coil over's,I believe Bret V. has a steering box to offer also.They also have all the componet's for the rear suspension,Control arm's,rear muscle bar,Mono tube coil over's and mounting bracket's.http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-1...vel-2.htmlGood Luck Scott Mock,Ride Tech dealer/User/installer.

[tt69camaro]

So if you were me you would throw everything I already bought in the trash and start over? I already upgraded the steering box and installed a hydroboost as well.

[bret]

No need to start over at all...our Chevelle package is available in component form and will compliment your existing components.
I would start with the spindles. That will increase the camber gain and the car a more sure footed feel through the corners. It will also lower the car about 2".
ALthought the Bilsteins are new, at some point you might consider trying out our new smoothbody RQ shocks. Big improvement in ride quality.

Nearly any steering box upgrade is good...probably no need to change that.

Your stock arms will be fine with the 245's...BUT, the StrongArms will allow up to an 18x10 wheel with a 6" backspace and a 275 tire. For those who want to do some autocross and roadcourse action, its neccessary to be competitive. For a street car, no improvement. My car has 275's on it. My wifes car, 245's. I race mine, she doesn't.

IF you do go with our StrongArms, our front Musclebar will allow the extra clearance neccessary for the wider 275 tires.

Hope that helps!

[coolwelder62]

Originally Posted by tt69camaro

So if you were me you would throw everything I already bought in the trash and start over? I already upgraded the steering box and installed a hydroboost as well.

On the frt. go w/Ride tech control arms,drop spindles,smooth body shocks.Keep your sway bars and steering box.Rear upgrade to ride tech coil overs.The spring rates will depend on your set up.

[tt69camaro]

OK that's helpful. If I go with the drop spindles, What spring drop (if any) do I need? I dont want to go too low and scrub the 26.5" tall tire. What spring drop will I need for the back for the 28.8" tall tires? Bret- This car is my wifes car and wont be raced either. Are the coil overs neccesary or would coil springs do the trick? Besides the adjustability, what are advantages of coil overs?

[bret]

Coilsprings:

* can be used with OEM control ams
* must use shims to properly adjsut ride height
* must partially disassemble frontend to install shims to adjust ride height
* less expensive

Coilovers:

* easy ride height adjustment
* should use RideTech StrongArms to optimize suspension travel...they have a dropped lower mount to allow a longer stroke shock
* wide range of shock performance options readily available

With the introduction of our new Smoothbody shocks that are compatible with OEM arms and coilsprings, , the difference betwwen the coilspring/shock system and the coilover just got a lot smaller. For the guy [or gal] who is street driving their car, already has oem control arms in good condition with new/good bushings, and who doesn't want to spend a lot of money...coils with some good shocks are not a bad option at all.
For the hotrodder who intends to go the next step with autocross or roadcourse action, either immediately or in the future...do the coilovers.

As with any recommendation, we will now hear from all the exceptions. There are LOTS of people out there who have very track capable cars on coils and shocks. But they work a lot harder at it

[tt69camaro]

Thank you so much for not trying to push your products. They have a great reputation and deserve your success. That being said, I think I will just buy coil springs this year and down the road upgrade things. I'm spending enough on wheels this year anyway. How much drop in inches (springs) do you think I could get away with using 29" tires in back and 26.5" in front?

[tt69camaro]

Do the ridetech drop spindles require anything else to purchase? Will they work with the Kore3 vette brake kit?

[bret]

Originally Posted by tt69camaro

Do the ridetech drop spindles require anything else to purchase? Will they work with the Kore3 vette brake kit?

IF the Kore 3 system is compatible with an A/F body GM [Chevelle/Camaro] spindle...it will work fine.