Time to select a suspension supplier

[AB69Z]

69 Camaro. So I've decided on the full DSE front to back or a full frame from Roadster a Shop. Like to hear some first hand feed back on the pros and cons

[Musclerodz]

Depending on which rs chassis you are looking at you could be in for a lot of sheetmetal work. DSE is a no brainer choice, RS is good as well, just depends on how you plan to use the car.

[Rod P]

cant help you there....just depends on who you like and why you want that one...both are good

[Blake Foster]

you MAY want to look at the New Speedtech Extreme subframe. on paper it has the Best geometry you can buy for a protouring car.
Ron Sutton helped with the suspension design and it is Good!
give us a call to discuss.

[GregWeld]

I just saw the new Extreme Subframe from SpeedTech while at SEMA.... It has crazy good features the others don't have! You can run HUGE tires in front.... and the rack placement down low - and the quality of the rack. They're using a Sweet's.... not some mid 80's Tbird rebuild.

I'm friends with DSE - and Ridetech etc.... and see all the new stuff. But you owe it to yourself to check out the newest one out there. I think it's going to be THE HOT ticket.

[Schwartz Perf]

I know you say you've decided... But check us out if you haven't already! :)

Minimal fabrication required, light weight, proven bolt-in chassis design that's been out for 7+ years.

www.GMachineChassis.com

-Dale

[AB69Z]

Just when I thought I had made up my mind..... Decisions,decisions

[Rod P]

Just when I thought I had made up my mind..... Decisions,decisions

RIGHT! SpeedTech, Schwartz, DSE, Roadster Shop arrrrggggg too much good stuff!!! :confused18: .......

so what you going to do with the car?...I dont have a dog in this fight....I dont work for any suspension suppliers anymore, but maybe with questions I could help and the suppliers could chime in

[Chassisworks]

This dog woke up a little bit late today, haha!

Since you're open to options and are considering a full frame, I would invite you to check out the gStreet chassis from Chassisworks (http://bit.ly/UltimatePTChassis). It retains the unibody style of construction for lighter weight and increased headroom yet still provides a path for the exhaust and driveline that will keep it from being ripped up on your average American road. The gStreet Chassis comes standard with our 6-point exact-fit roll bar and includes all the tinwork which is already bead-rolled and ready to be installed. Of course, it has awesome suspension geometry and will withstand a massive amount of power. The entire system was designed in house by our experienced team of engineers and components are made in house at our factory in Sacramento, California.

If you're ever in the area I'd be happy to give you a tour. If not, I'm here to answer questions or you can give me a call.

https://www.cachassisworks.com/site_images/vehicles/Camaro/Camaro69_SEMA2012/CAC_Camaro_PS-front-angle_PRKR.jpg
https://www.cachassisworks.com/site_images/vehicles/Camaro/Camaro69_SEMA2012/Camaro_mockup03_PRKR.jpg

[AB69Z]

RIGHT! SpeedTech, Schwartz, DSE, Roadster Shop arrrrggggg too much good stuff!!! :confused18: .......

so what you going to do with the car?...I dont have a dog in this fight....I dont work for any suspension suppliers anymore, but maybe with questions I could help and the suppliers could chime in

This is my first build. I want to build something that has street manners so the ride is not to harsh. On my bucket list is to try an auto cross event ( maybe I will get hooked looks like so much fun) and do the power tour. So I guess I'm looking for some setup that will allow a good cross section of this.
The car is ready for mini tubs and suspension now I just want to make the proper decision so I can move on to deciding on the power train, more fun !!!

I've been selling off all my Camaro stuff to focus on this project just down to a DZ motor now and a rear end

[GregWeld]

This is my first build. I want to build something that has street manners so the ride is not to harsh. On my bucket list is to try an auto cross event ( maybe I will get hooked looks like so much fun) and do the power tour. So I guess I'm looking for some setup that will allow a good cross section of this.
The car is ready for mini tubs and suspension now I just want to make the proper decision so I can move on to deciding on the power train, more fun !!!

I've been selling off all my Camaro stuff to focus on this project just down to a DZ motor now and a rear end




Sounds to me like you should take some time and formulate an actual plan.... on paper - on budget - with a goal(s).

The chassis components should all be a consideration COMBINED with motor - headers - how you want the exhaust to run - tire sizes - inner wheel well considerations... what parts and pieces you'll need or want. Transmission and clutch / or converter choice.... rear end and all of it's linkage. In other words - leaf springs or coil overs? Four bar triangulated? Panhard bar? Watts link?

You're asking about ONE end of the car - when in reality - the car will only perform well, meaning ride and handling - when you have a plan and know what the results are going to be. If you don't - you will end up wasting time and money, and effort, and end up doing what many do -- applying bandaids.

These days - building a car to ride nice on the street is as simple as calling one manufacturer and ordering STREET RIDE parts and pieces. A Camaro with a simple LS3 motor is a known commodity and they'd all be able to set you up with shocks and springs that will work really well....

However, the minute you mention that you'd like to maybe "try" autocrossing... or any other form of "sport" with your car --- you just opened up a whole can of whoop ass. Now, instead of a simple set of single adjustable shocks - you might want to consider an upgrade to double adjustable... and different spring rates -- and tire combos that will allow the car to handle better (same size front and rear vs staggered bigs and littles). Big tires on the rear and smaller tires on the front look good - but they'll have the car pushing (understeering) on anything that requires some grip and turn in etc.

This is NOT complicated. It IS having a plan and understanding and working towards that plan. All of the manufacturers on here (and elsewhere) have components to bolt on your car. None of them can help you decide what direction you want to go. Figure that out - the rest is super simple.

I'm not saying there is not some middle ground -- what I'm saying is that if you want to hit middle ground -- then you can't pick parts that just simply will give you a decent ride on Power Tour.... and if you ask a manufacturer what parts they have that will give you a decent ride.... that's what you're going to get. If you say -- I want a decent ride but want to autocross occasionally.... that's a different discussion and set of parts. If you get hooked (your words) on doing some sport stuff with the car -- then if you're like the rest of us - you'll want to be able to do reasonably well at it. Might consider what you can EASILY and affordably upgrade with some simple changes/upgrades.

My track Mustang has leaf springs - a panhard bar - anti roll bar - and shocks - and that car goes like stink.... it's simple and effective... but the shocks are custom built triple adjustables - the springs are custom built composite monoleafs etc.... if you get my point. It's purely a track car and rides like crap until you're on the track and then it's marvelous. There's NO WAY you'd fit out the back exhaust thru all that's going on back there... and that's my point about having a WHOLE plan thought thru before you move forward.

[rustomatic]

There's another way to figure it out: Try driving as many modern cars (Corvette/Mustang/BMW) as you can. Judge their handling and responses to various inputs (gas pedal/steering wheel/braking/normal person driving), then study their systems to figure out why/how they reacted in the ways they did (and why you liked/disliked them). Try driving some not-so-modern cars to compare or contrast: 5.0 Mustang/90s Camaro/older Corvettes/various hotrods. See what works/sucks--Craigslist and car dealers are full of free opportunities.

Figure out what you want as clearly and specifically as possible before paying a dime or cutting/welding/bolting.

[Dipped]

69 Camaro. So I've decided on the full DSE front to back or a full frame from Roadster a Shop. Like to hear some first hand feed back on the pros and cons

I was in the same boat a couple years back. If I could do it over again I'd have gone with a Roadster Shop or possibly Ridetech/Speedtech. I regretfully took a friends recommendation and went with Chassisworks. They produce a decent product however god forbid you have an after sale issue. Two words, High & Dry. The Roadster Shop suspensions look phenomenal. RideTech and Speedteck are less expensive while still providing a great performing system.

[Blake Foster]

I was in the same boat a couple years back. If I could do it over again I'd have gone with a Roadster Shop or possibly Ridetech/Speedtech. I regretfully took a friends recommendation and went with Chassisworks. They produce a decent product however god forbid you have an after sale issue. Two words, High & Dry. The Roadster Shop suspensions look phenomenal. RideTech and Speedteck are less expensive while still providing a great performing system.

Speedtechs NEW Extreme Subframe has the best Suspension Geometry on the market. the most adjustability, the most shock options, the Best Spindle you can buy. and right now our introductory price is the most affordable on the market. (call us CRAZY) package it with our Torque arm rear suspension which is the EASIEST to install and set up. and you have a GREAT set up.
http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/category_id=160/mode=cat/cat160.htm

[Dipped]

Speedtechs NEW Extreme Subframe has the best Suspension Geometry on the market. the most adjustability, the most shock options, the Best Spindle you can buy. and right now our introductory price is the most affordable on the market. (call us CRAZY) package it with our Torque arm rear suspension which is the EASIEST to install and set up. and you have a GREAT set up.
http://www.speedtechperformance.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/category_id=160/mode=cat/cat160.htm

Wow That sounds pretty impressive! If I could uninstall my Chassisworks system and replace it with the above I would. I'll definitely take the speedtech system under serious consideration once I break ground on my 68 Camaro. :thumbsup:

[TheJDMan]

IMO, there are almost too many suspension choices on the market today. We cannot tell you which is best for you because only you know what you want. The only advice I can offer is that you read about all the different suspensions from the different manufacturers. I will say that as long as you stick with one of the forum sponsors you will be much better off.