Suspension upgrading

[hsousa88]

I don't think you can run a 4-point G-load brace with long tubes.

Pretty sure you can't.. I was looking into one but the MM website made it pretty clear they wont fit.

[tulowd]

will depend on the long tubes, sometimes the vert one can fit

[b1lk1]

I have a welder, I'll likely build my own braces, same with strut tower/shock brace. They are pretty simple devices to copy if you ask me.

[ZR]

May look easy but are anything but. Materials used, welding etc play a huge part.

[b1lk1]

Been shopping for parts, these 2 are in my cart no matter what:

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...r-Control-Arms

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/...h-Metal-Shells

Going for rear tires this Friday and ordering those 2 parts. I'm pretty much going to ignore the upper control arms unless the bushings are wasted, if so they will get stock rubber bushings. Can I ditch the quads at this point?

Next up will be struts. I think to keep costs low I'll keep my current springs, they are in good physical and working condition, just wish the car was a bit higher. Will I notice a difference between adjustable struts/shocks and non? Depending on funds I may do caster/camber plates at this time too, I need them.

Then panhard bar, and then, dare I dream, torque arm and bye bye upper control arms.

Spreading this out over the summer, in the stages I listed, does this seem like a logical plan? Remember, car will not be on the track nearly as much as street. I'm not a corner carver, but I want the car to turn when I turn the wheel and I want it to stick better than stock.

Can't agree more ZR, those companies have engineers, I am not. But for the basic braces as long as I use good strong stuff I have little fear of not doing it right.

[ZR]

Quad removed is based on lower arm selection. No problem to remove with MM lowers and stock uppers.
Springs of the correct ride ht and rate along with corresponding shocks n struts = you'll be happy with the results. Cheap out or mismatch = buckboard that you'll grow to hate driving. Don't need to spend a bundle, just need to match em up.

[b1lk1]

I have a buckboard now, but my struts are blown and the shocks are leaking oil. Wish I knew the exact specs on my springs, although they are quite firm as I have yet to bottom out my headers.

[b1lk1]

OK, side stepping just a bit, got a set of 17" Cobra rims w/tires coming tomorrow, gonna go see Jeff in Georgetown while I'm in the area to see if he has any taller springs. Otherwise, will just live with what I got. Also had to cheap out slightly on control arms and such, but I'm mostly replacing worn out stuff right now so my budget got raped by the rims/tires.

[b1lk1]

Well, decided all or nothing. Took a 350KM drive today to pickup rims/tires. First time since I've owned the car (almost 2 years to the day) I have taken it out of town. Car ran great, although I got a noisy rocker arm or pushrod issue. Not major, just annoying to hear tap-tap-tap. Now running 17" tires, 235/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear. Finally have some traction, at least on warm dry roads, lol.

Got my control arms and suspension bushings from UPS today, gonna get those in ASAP. Now to find a driver's seat with no gangsta lean.....

[ZR]

Looks great but yes that bitch is low.