Need some suspension advice

[blazincopper]

Ok I am about to start restoring my 67 Camaro for a 3rd time. I am going to make a daily driver out of it, but I want that pro touring stance and I want it to handle good. As far as engine, I am probably going to install a mostly stock 5.3 setup. Any advice will be appreciated.
I want to know what is the biggest bang for your buck on suspension. What is worth the money and what is not.
Which is better - air ride or adjustable coil overs?
What is a good "bolt on" rear suspension?
Are tubular a arms worth the money?
Does replacing the entire front subframe help that much or is it just as good with tubular a arms and coil overs/air ride?
I want a deep dish on the rear wheel, but I do not want to do a minitub, any thoughts on using a narrow rear end so I can reduce back spacing and so I can have deep rear wheel?
I know that the S10 rearends are about 6 inches narrower than the Camaro rearend and they come in several different gear ratios. Has anyone ever use this setup or what would be the pros and cons?

Thanks again for any advice

[Spiffav8]

Coil overs would be my vote. The Speedtech setup seems like it would be perfect for you.

:captain:

[novanutcase]

Will the car be seeing any track time?

John

[blazincopper]

Will the car be seeing any track time?

John

Probably not very much. Going to be mostly a sunny day daily driver. It's had a 454 in it for ther last few years and now that I have a couple young kids I want to be able to drive it with them in it. I remeber growing up riding in this car and I want them to have some of the same memories. :yes:

[Ron in SoCal]

Probably not very much. Going to be mostly a sunny day daily driver. It's had a 454 in it for ther last few years and now that I have a couple young kids I want to be able to drive it with them in it. I remeber growing up riding in this car and I want them to have some of the same memories. :yes:

Can't go wrong w any of the above, but I say get a Hotchkis or Global West kit and don't look back. Great bang for the buck, goes in easy and gets you 9/10ths of the way there if you ever want to hit an AutoX.

[strtcar]

Take a look at this, prices look good.

http://www.cachassisworks.com/c-556-camaro-67-81-gm-f-body.aspx

[bret]

I'm probably a bit more optimistic than a "6" on the one to ten scale for an oem subframe with the proper bolt-on components.

Take a look here and then we can address more specific questions:

http://www.ridetech.com/store/1967-1969-chevy-camaro-firebird-level-2.html

Keep in mind that the coilovers are directly interchangeable with the ShockWaves and can save some money if you don't put a lot of importance on ride height adjustability. Here is the coilover page:
http://www.ridetech.com/store/musclecars/?subcats=Y&features_hash=V330.V264

The biggest development for OEM front subframes lately has been the Tru Turn system:
http://www.ridetech.com/store/tru-turn/

For some video footage of Velocity and the 48 Hour Camaro with all of this stuff:
http://www.ridetech.com/tv/

There is a huge amount of information here. It will likely take you several weeks/months to digest it all and make a decision. Take your time and ask around.
Part of the fun is the planning!

[BBC71Nova]

I'd suggest you give Marcus at SC&C a call. He is very helpful with answering these suspension related questions and has experience with basically every setup being offered today.

If I had it to do over I would not go with a non-traditional coilover setup. Although, hundreds if not thousands have been sold without issue. Including one to me with my primary reason being adjustability. However, realistically the "ride height adjustability" selling point of the coilover is somewhat overplayed. The shocks have a min/max range which limits the overall height adjustment to a pretty small amount. You do get some though so that is good.

The QA1 ProCoil (which I have) you'll read reports of them having issues with leakage that is believed to be caused due to the side loading. I'm not exactly an engineer but it does make sense when you consider the design. Again, keeping the shock in the operating range is critical to prevent premature failure.

The CA and Ridetech coilover conversion uses a style of mount that carries the weight of the front end on a location of the subframe not intended to support that weight. From the OE the spring carried the weight in the upper spring pocket which would at least appear to better handle it. Again, I'm no engineer so this is just internet fodder :).

FWIW If I had it to do over I would go with the Speedtech Chicane brackets and a traditional Ridetech coilover spec'd according to my desired ride height and weight. In my opinion this is the BEST coilover solution for a stock subframe.

Oh, and I went with the Speedtech arms which are super nice pieces also. I currently have my eye on the Tru-Turn setup from Ridetech too. Great info been coming out about it.

[blazincopper]

Thanks everyone - all great advice - Please keep it coming

I'm still torn between air ride and coil overs - I've done a bunch of reading but seems that the opions are about half and half on whcih way to go.

[blazincopper]

http://www.checkeredracing.com/62-67Camaro4.html

What do ya'll think about 4 bar kit like the one listed above? Can't beat the price, but how does someting like that stack up to a Chris Alstons G Bar?

I think I have definetly decided to go with coilovers. Now just trying to get the rear suspension figured out before I order everything else.

I'm thinking about the QA1 coilovers all the way around - tubed A arms up front.

Will the adjustable coilovers give me enough height adjustment without using drop spindles?

[John510]

http://www.checkeredracing.com/62-67Camaro4.html

What do ya'll think about 4 bar kit like the one listed above? Can't beat the price, but how does someting like that stack up to a Chris Alstons G Bar?

I think I have definetly decided to go with coilovers. Now just trying to get the rear suspension figured out before I order everything else.

I'm thinking about the QA1 coilovers all the way around - tubed A arms up front.

Will the adjustable coilovers give me enough height adjustment without using drop spindles?


I wouldn't get drop spindles if I was you. Research the G bar and trust me you won't want it (yes I have one). They are poorly engineered in my opinion. The one you posted above I have never heard of and that is not a good sign....

Get a Ridetech 4 link if you want a bolt in one. Or if you have more $$$ and don't mind cutting up the car get the DSE.

[Track Junky]

If your just going to street drive tubular front control arms will be a huge improvement and all you will need. They will allow for a significant amount of positive caster and neg. camber. Save the rest of your money for brakes and cosmetics.

[Track Junky]

I'd suggest you give Marcus at SC&C a call. He is very helpful with answering these suspension related questions and has experience with basically every setup being offered today.

If I had it to do over I would not go with a non-traditional coilover setup. Although, hundreds if not thousands have been sold without issue. Including one to me with my primary reason being adjustability. However, realistically the "ride height adjustability" selling point of the coilover is somewhat overplayed. The shocks have a min/max range which limits the overall height adjustment to a pretty small amount. You do get some though so that is good.

The QA1 ProCoil (which I have) you'll read reports of them having issues with leakage that is believed to be caused due to the side loading. I'm not exactly an engineer but it does make sense when you consider the design. Again, keeping the shock in the operating range is critical to prevent premature failure.

The CA and Ridetech coilover conversion uses a style of mount that carries the weight of the front end on a location of the subframe not intended to support that weight. From the OE the spring carried the weight in the upper spring pocket which would at least appear to better handle it. Again, I'm no engineer so this is just internet fodder :).

FWIW If I had it to do over I would go with the Speedtech Chicane brackets and a traditional Ridetech coilover spec'd according to my desired ride height and weight. In my opinion this is the BEST coilover solution for a stock subframe.

Oh, and I went with the Speedtech arms which are super nice pieces also. I currently have my eye on the Tru-Turn setup from Ridetech too. Great info been coming out about it.

Marcus knows his business. Give him a call if you want a killer set up on a budget.

[coolwelder62]

If you want any kind of qualtiy stay away from the checkered racing stuff.It's pretty ruff looking(I installed some that a customer supplied) would not recomend it.Speed tech or RideTech would really good choice's.:thumbsup: