Rear suspension advice needed on a 68 Firebird

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by captainofiron

ok, good info there.

I was planning on running 275-40-17s

definitely dont want the rear end loose

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

[captainofiron]

Originally Posted by Rod P

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

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by captainofiron

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

best idea

[Dipped]

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.

[Pete68]

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.

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by Pete68

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

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by chetly

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.

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

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

[Vince@Meanstreets]