Modern Suspension Options - Pros and Cons

[RSNAKE]

I have a '66 Belvedere II that I am modifying. Drive train will be large cube Hemi and Keisler 5 speed. My goals are:
1. Make it ride, drive and handle as well or better than a 2006 300C SRT-8, won't embarass itself on a road course
2. 10.0 sec quarter mile time on slicks that fit in the stock wheel wells
3. Stance like it means business but not dropped to the ground

Looking for opinions on the following suspensions:

Front
1. Alterkation - http://www.reillymotorsports.com/pricing.shtml Basic System - $2995.00
2. Control Freak IFS - http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/controlfreak_ifs.html - From $3,195.00
3. B-Body Level II Suspension - Front - http://www.xvmotorsports.com/product...%20II%20System - $7,495.00

Rear
4. Super Stock springs with CALTRACS - http://www.calvertracing.com/info/info.htm - $339.00 plus Shipping
5. Dynamics 3 Link Rear Suspension - http://www.lateral-dynamics.com/products/ Base Kit Retail: $ 3600
6. B-Body Level II Suspension - Rear - http://www.xvmotorsports.com/product...%20II%20System - $3,395.00

What are the opinions? Pros and Cons? Did I miss any other viable options?

[PTAddict]

On the surface, XV stuff appears to be the most thoroughly engineered aftermarket suspension setup out there for any model/make - XV was obviously heavily capitalized up front, and their mega-dollar OE-caliber test gear gives them a potential engineering advantage that nobody else can match right now. It's priced accordingly If it was my car, and I had the bucks, this would be my choice. Don't forget to include all of their chassis stiffening mods as well.

Lateral Dynamics is also superbly done, and they're working on a setup for the front end which may be available by the time you get around to needing it.

From some previous reading on Mopar forums, it seems the Alterkation stuff was not specifically engineered as a handling setup. I haven't heard much on how well it works in practice.

The control freak I haven't seen before. They use some of the right words on their web site, but there is no evidence of extensive engineering or testing work.

If you don't want to shell out the bucks for a full XV or Lat dynamics setup, I would seriously consider just working with an upgraded stock setup, like the XV Stage 1.

All just my opinions, of course

Edit: Remember that the older Hemis are notoriously heavy (those massive head castings). Use aluminum heads at least, to help keep front end weight down. Also, a big part of the subjective difference between old cars and new ones is not just suspension, but chassis rigidity - do all of the chassis rigidity mods you can, like subframe connectors, front end braces, ideally even an 8 or 10 point roll bar. Use Dynamat or Damplifier or something similar over all of the interior sheet metal - the car will not "thump" as much over bumps, which makes it seem like it's riding better.

I don't know if Air Ride technologies makes a front/rear setup which will fit your car, but if they do that would be a suspension option as well.

Sounds like a cool project, keep us updated.