suspension design....from scratch

[bergers59]

In preparation for designing the suspension for my camaro from scratch, I've tried to immerse myself in as much material as possible by studying four bar mechanisms and learning the terminology. My plan for my camaro is to strip everything off of the subframe rails and keep flares to a minimum(goal is 315 tire). I also have a few numbers in mind for the geometry, but I suppose any of it can be subject to change and compromise. However something scarcely covered is design of a suspension with constraints such as body work and stock frame rails, and is where I feel overwhelmed. Any tips or advice?

[ErikLS2]

Not trying to be a smart ass at all but do you ever actually want to drive that car? Maybe you have that kind of time. I thought about doing this too as I built a rock crawler Jeep with coil overs that worked very well. That's a totally different ball game though. Have you considered all the variables that go into something like this? Do you have, and know how to use, computer software that can help design something like this? Have you considered buying something already done and tested from one of the fantastic vendors on here?

[bergers59]

yeah I know whats involved, My main reason for ruling out an aftermarket subframe unit is that I need to retain the subframe rails to compete in c prepared classes. The car is intended to be more race car than street car, and most aftermarket systems to my understanding are the opposite. I have a little experience designing an fsae suspension using MSC, although I'd like to switch to a different program.

[Panteracer]

Take a look a Brian Houbaughs camero build
It is a CP car that he,his dad and Mike Maier
did. All adjustable and fabricated. Pretty cool
stuff from scratch

Bob

[bergers59]

I think I've been through that build thread at least 3 times start to finish, really good stuff

[Panteracer]

There was a 68 camero done in gulf racing
colors also a NorCal CP car done to the max
I think it was in Hot Rod mag a year or two back
I have looked them both over at autocrosses

Bob

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by bergers59

In preparation for designing the suspension for my camaro from scratch, I've tried to immerse myself in as much material as possible by studying four bar mechanisms and learning the terminology. My plan for my camaro is to strip everything off of the subframe rails and keep flares to a minimum(goal is 315 tire). I also have a few numbers in mind for the geometry, but I suppose any of it can be subject to change and compromise. However something scarcely covered is design of a suspension with constraints such as body work and stock frame rails, and is where I feel overwhelmed. Any tips or advice?

Buy one that someone has spent MONTHS and countless resources to design, fit, re fit, redesign, test.??? that is what we do along with the other suspension companies that are on this forum. it is NO EASY task.
take our new ExtReme chassis an subframes. we already had the Best spindle you could buy, but no that wasn't good enough. we redesigned it modeled it had the forging die re worked. paid a ton of money to do a short run to test the idea. all to gain .956" in height. but it made ALL the difference that was 6 months ago. now we have a part that no one can even compare to. just a sample of what your talking about doing.

[dontlifttoshift]

But there is this.

Originally Posted by bergers59

yeah I know whats involved, My main reason for ruling out an aftermarket subframe unit is that I need to retain the subframe rails to compete in c prepared classes.

[Flash68]

Add to that there are a lot of people who prefer the build process than actually finishing and driving the car.

Although since you're building for a specific class (CP) I assume you actually want to do both.

Good luck.

[bergers59]

yeah what dontlifttoshift said. Also my intentions are to design the suspension using both solidworks and a suspension program, then have the arms and uprights built by coleman racing through a custom order sheet. I figure its better to trust their welds than trust mine.