Suspension recommendations

[A-Guy]

What suspensions are you all running and what would you do different (if anything)? I am resto modding my 72 Malibu and want to improve the ride quality/drivability. I will be looking at apprx 500 HP with a pro touring type setup. My budget is up to1500 for a complete kit. Any recommedations or guidance is greatly appreciated!

Chris

[Spiffav8]

Chris what is your primary goal and use for the car going to be? What kind of driving are you planning on? There's a lot that can be done, but if it's upgraded handling for street driving vs autocross & track events there's a big difference. A little more info would be helpful.

:captain:

[A-Guy]

Chris what is your primary goal and use for the car going to be? What kind of driving are you planning on? There's a lot that can be done, but if it's upgraded handling for street driving vs autocross & track events there's a big difference. A little more info would be helpful.

:captain:

First off thank you for ur reply and i will be street driving.

[Rod P]

What suspensions are you all running and what would you do different (if anything)? I am resto modding my 72 Malibu and want to improve the ride quality/drivability. I will be looking at apprx 500 HP with a pro touring type setup. My budget is up to1500 for a complete kit. Any recommedations or guidance is greatly appreciated!

Chris

I don't know how many suspension systems you will find for 1500 bucks worth any thing but you can do something like

Ridetech Adjustable front shocks (http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-72-chevelle-front-smooth-body-shock-hq-series.html) $350 for the front pair

Ridetech adjustable rear shocks (http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-72-chevelle-rear-smooth-body-shock-hq-series.html) $350 a pair

Helwig front sway bar (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hel-55703/overview/year/1970/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle) $178.99

BMR chevelle Lowering spring (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bmr-sp031r/overview/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle) set of 4 $239.95


$350
$350
$179
$240
TOTAL
$1119 bucks


that's a great start, all great products and the car will handle well, and with the adjustable shocks you can go SUPER smooth for daily driving and stiff for autocross

[A-Guy]

I don't know how many suspension systems you will find for 1500 bucks worth any thing but you can do something like

Ridetech Adjustable front shocks (http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-72-chevelle-front-smooth-body-shock-hq-series.html) $350 for the front pair

Ridetech adjustable rear shocks (http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-72-chevelle-rear-smooth-body-shock-hq-series.html) $350 a pair

Helwig front sway bar (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hel-55703/overview/year/1970/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle) $178.99

BMR chevelle Lowering spring (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bmr-sp031r/overview/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle) set of 4 $239.95


$350
$350
$179
$240
TOTAL
$1119 bucks


that's a great start, all great products and the car will handle well, and with the adjustable shocks you can go SUPER smooth for daily driving and stiff for autocross

Ok thanks, thats seems very reasonable. What system would u recommend if i could wring more funds from my wallet, lol?

[LS7 Z/28]

Ok thanks, thats seems very reasonable. What system would u recommend if i could wring more funds from my wallet, lol?

I'm guessing he would suggest this package...

http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-1972-gm-a-body-complete-coilover-system.html

That's the direction I would go if I was you.

[Spiffav8]

I don't know how many suspension systems you will find for 1500 bucks worth any thing but you can do something like

Ridetech Adjustable front shocks (http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-72-chevelle-front-smooth-body-shock-hq-series.html) $350 for the front pair

Ridetech adjustable rear shocks (http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-72-chevelle-rear-smooth-body-shock-hq-series.html) $350 a pair

Helwig front sway bar (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hel-55703/overview/year/1970/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle) $178.99

BMR chevelle Lowering spring (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/bmr-sp031r/overview/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle) set of 4 $239.95


$350
$350
$179
$240
TOTAL
$1119 bucks


that's a great start, all great products and the car will handle well, and with the adjustable shocks you can go SUPER smooth for daily driving and stiff for autocross

Chris,

Take the rest of your funds and upgrade the steering box. Lee's, AGR or something like that. You will probably have a few small parts that need to be replaced (old cars always do) also. That along with the Ridetech parts should make for a very nice handling car and a lot of fun without breaking the bank.

I really like that you're not going to crazy with your suspension and realize that there isn't a need to spend more than you have to. Guys get in way to deep sometimes. It's all about balance.

Keep us posted on what you do.

[A-Guy]

Chris,

Take the rest of your funds and upgrade the steering box. Lee's, AGR or something like that. You will probably have a few small parts that need to be replaced (old cars always do) also. That along with the Ridetech parts should make for a very nice handling car and a lot of fun without breaking the bank.

I really like that you're not going to crazy with your suspension and realize that there isn't a need to spend more than you have to. Guys get in way to deep sometimes. It's all about balance.

Keep us posted on what you do.

Thanks for all the input Curtis, its greatly appreciated! With the setup you recommended, what do you suppose i do about control arms?

[Rod P]

Thanks for all the input Curtis, its greatly appreciated! With the setup you recommended, what do you suppose i do about control arms?

you can leave the arms stock for now, and like a previous poster said upgrade the steering box! you can do the arms later, but for a daily driver the stockers are ok:thumbsup:

[Spiffav8]

you can leave the arms stock for now, and like a previous poster said upgrade the steering box! you can do the arms later, but for a daily driver the stockers are ok:thumbsup:

^^^There's your answer^^^

If you wanted to take it up one more level, you could do uppers and lower along with a upgraded spindle later on. If it where me, I would look at upgrading the brakes at that time and adding discs to all four corners. That way you only have to take it apart once.

Taking the upgrades in stages will really make you appreciate the improvements and keep the car on the road... which is really what it's all about.

[67goatman455]

If low on funds you could always do the Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box. It will work on my car anyways, i assume it does on a 72 also.

As far as suspension i wouldn't dump my money into the ridetech shocks, there is no need for it if your just cruising around, i would lean more towards something like Bilstein HD shocks and SPC springs.

$350 for all four shocks http://scandc.com/new/node/677
$300 for springs http://scandc.com/new/node/104

[BMR Sales]

Our Stage 1 will fit under your Budget

http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=products&productid=75&superpro=0

Our Stage 2 is a little above it

http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=products&productid=77&superpro=0

[Rod P]

If low on funds you could always do the Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box. It will work on my car anyways, i assume it does on a 72 also.

As far as suspension i wouldn't dump my money into the ridetech shocks, there is no need for it if your just cruising around, i would lean more towards something like Bilstein HD shocks and SPC springs.

$350 for all four shocks http://scandc.com/new/node/677
$300 for springs http://scandc.com/new/node/104


bilsteins from the site you recommended are 89 each front and 99 each rear, our's are 125 each with a LIFETIME warranty??? If you want a non adjustable...I always recommend the upgrade to adjustable because not everyone's like of ride quality is the same, and IF you wanted to try SCCA, Goodguys, Optima, Motorstate, Run to the Hills, Run to Music City, Ohio Musclecar Challenge, Detroit Speeds Southern Slam, or any of the roughly 30 events our group has just adjust the shocks to the track event and be competitive.....

[A-Guy]

Man!!! All this info is outstanding and i am so very appreciative of all the input and guidance! Thank you all and i will post up what i decide to do.

Chris

[pist0lpete]

I would talk to this guy. Assuming it's all in good condition this is a great deal. http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/109938-Chevelle-Suspension-SC-amp-C