Where to start?

[jjl4004]

Hello all. I have finally saved up enough $ to start the conversion of my 68 Chevelle to a pro-touring car. It currently has stock front disc brakes, rear drums, stock suspension, springs and shocks. I plan on putting on some 18" wheels and of course, need the right stance. The car will remain a street car and hopefully some day will be ready for a road course (once a year or so), but what I really want is the car to look good and handle well.

My question is, where do you think I should start this project? Should I start with beefing up the suspension components with somehting like a Hotchkis TVS system? Would coil-over shocks get the car's stance right? Dropped spindles? If I go with the drop spindles, don't I need to convert the brakes at the same time, and then that would also require me to get the wheel/tire combo as well? I'm guessing wheels/tires/brakes all should be done at the same time...?

I'm just looking for a little direction from you guys since you have been in my situation before. I currently have around $2,000 to spend on the first portion of this conversion. (Credit card is available as well if I need to spend a little more )