2nd gen front suspension upgrade

[badazz81z28]

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.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

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.

[markss28]

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.

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by markss28

What's you alls take on protouring f body (PTFB)?

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

Originally Posted by markss28

then work my way into some better shocks and springs.

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

[markss28]

Originally Posted by Rod P

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.

[badazz81z28]

Originally Posted by markss28

(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.

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.

[badazz81z28]

BTW...someone will chime in here and say PTFB is the greatest thing since slice bread. FWIW, if all you have ever had was Shasta, you will never know how good Coke is.

I admit, I was the same way. Quality parts cost quality cash

[markss28]

Originally Posted by badazz81z28

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.

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.

Just saw your previous post about your suspension. Thank you so much for your thoughts on PTFB. I like to know as much as I can before I pull the trigger on any investment. I'll send you a PM with my number and hopefully this weekend we can talk about your suspension.

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by markss28

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.

I would stay with the springs there isn't an advantage to having a coil over ONLY on the front....the main advantage is you can change spring rates but that doesn't matter because you cant change the back springs and therefore the car would be unbalanced,,,,you Idealy want coilovers on all four corners and that will require you to get rid of the leafs, and now the budget has tripled

dont shop price to upgrade, shop design and performance advantage

Originally Posted by markss28

I like to know as much as I can before I pull the trigger on any investment.

I under stand this...but the reason to upgrade is performance and handling...better bushings, ball joints, caster gains, quality materials if you cant get these answers from those selling you arms...then you don't want there arms, you already have arms with no performance gain

[markss28]

Great point Rod.

I dont want to just buy replacement just trying to find best bang for buck. How about ridetech control arms for 2nd gen? If I stay with my springs I will just upgrade my shocks. May also leave a little for sway bar. Thoughts?