help with suspension

[clinkster]

hey guys just needed some of your expertise/help. long story I have a 70 nova that I would love to start auto x with. suspension is all stock with the exception of cpp spindle/disc brake front upgrade (bought it that way). upper arm bushings shot rest is ok, so far. after going to del mar im hooked on the complete ride tech set up, problem is I have a beer budget on a top shelf liquor taste! I would like to start with the upper arms and do rest as I get money. I was thinking doing upper spc arms with tall uppers then switching to ridetech spindles and truturn system next then ridetech lowers with coils to finish. now questions 1) does anyone have experience with fitting spc arms to ridetech spindles? 2) should I just stick with ridetech uppers? 3) anyone have any better ideas? thx a bunchhttps://lateral-g.net/forums/images/smilies/thankyou.gif

[Rod P]

Glad you came out to DelMar! I was racing there it was a good weekend, anyways I would use the Ridetech upper and lower arms together, the current generation Ridetech upper arms have a new castor slugs that allow much more adjustment (than many brands) and the the lower arms are also a new design with the ball joint moved forward for more castor and better wheel placement, so do the upper arms first, then save some and get the lower arms and a coilover, and with just the new geometry arms and coilover you will see a big difference in handling, and then top it off later with the tru-turn kit, just my advice....and then you can move to the back of the car, what do you have for a front sway bar now?

[clinkster]

Rod - thanks for your help once again. btw I was one of the guys who took up some of your time on Saturday asking you a bunch of questions (one in beanie). I have a stock sway bar. car is mostly stock right now. it needs everything. does that mean that have a different a arm than what they are showing on the website? I only see a simple upper arm. I missed your deal on the springs dang it! guess I will have to drop ridetech an email.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Ask Rod how he feels about running link suspensions.

[marolf101x]

Rods talking about our new adjustable control arm.
It uses a slotted upper shaft with slugs to allow more caster to be added to the upper arm just by swapping out the slugs.
It is also offset, so rotating it provides more or less camber.
It has self lubricating Delrin bushings (no need to lube).
There's also a nice feature built into the shaft and bushings that "locks" the control arm in place (under extreme braking the control arm will try to pull the arm away from the bushing. locking it in prevents this.)

You can see a pretty good shot of it here:

[clinkster]

thanks for the info that's a big help! now may I ask what kind of ball joint? how much? and how do I get them?

Originally Posted by marolf101x

Rods talking about our new adjustable control arm. It uses a slotted upper shaft with slugs to allow more caster to be added to the upper arm just by swapping out the slugs.
It is also offset, so rotating it provides more or less camber.
It has self lubricating Delrin bushings (no need to lube).
There's also a nice feature built into the shaft and bushings that "locks" the control arm in place (under extreme braking the control arm will try to pull the arm away from the bushing. locking it in prevents this.)

You can see a pretty good shot of it here:

[marolf101x]

We use only quality ball joints. . .Moog or Proforged typically.
Standard height as they are designed to use our tall spindle.

You can get them directly from us:
Ridetech.com
Or any dealer you may be comfortable with.

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by marolf101x

You can see a pretty good shot of it here:

thanks for using my picture as an example Brit

1st gen F-body and that X-body nova Have the worst front suspension ever built, and hell the backs not far behind, on either car my biggest recommendation is fix (get closer to correct) the front suspension! the steering has to much bump, the arms gain camber the wrong direction and have to much anti-dive, and the amount of deflection that comes from crappy stamped steel arms, 4 inch rubber bushings and rear steer, is scary

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

Ask Rod how he feels about running link suspensions.

on the rear the roll steer that comes from a leaf spring car at the wrong height and leaf stiffness is very unpredictable, I spent a long time working the leafs i had on my car(theres no set formula it all depends on ride height wheel diameter, etc, every cars a little different and even just a 1/4 of an inch changes the characteristic of the car) that is why a sway bar helps, really, think about, no roll, no roll steer, but you didn't fix the screwed up geometry you just masked it, a link rear has a set axle arc, so you design it to have a continuous roll steer or NOT its that simple, I could go on for a while you know that Clinkster (yes I remember you) I think both David Pozzi and I were talking with you about suspension

[clinkster]

for all your help, both of you. I do want to go through entire suspension as budget allows. at this time it looks like a ridetech ride! I will get the uppers asap then lowers n coils when I get tax return in feb. until then I will tighten up what I can and get this car to the track for some much needed fun. Rod thanks again for all the help on and off the track, without guys like you these forums don't work. I know you help with more than one! I would also like to say that its nice to see how this sport brings people together like a family and everyone is more than happy to share info/thoughts/ and support. that doesn't happen without guys like you Rod, amongst many others. its just kool. just sayin'.

[Rod P]

anytime, but I am sorry that you were subjected to David and myself at the same time, LORD knows we can talk when were together! that's what my girl friend says

Originally Posted by clinkster

for all your help, both of you. I do want to go through entire suspension as budget allows. at this time it looks like a ridetech ride! I will get the uppers asap then lowers n coils when I get tax return in feb. until then I will tighten up what I can and get this car to the track for some much needed fun. Rod thanks again for all the help on and off the track, without guys like you these forums don't work. I know you help with more than one! I would also like to say that its nice to see how this sport brings people together like a family and everyone is more than happy to share info/thoughts/ and support. that doesn't happen without guys like you Rod, amongst many others. its just kool. just sayin'.