cpovette

Looking for suggestions for a suspension upgrade. The frame is in good shape and I would keep. I looked into Ridetech and believe $9,000 is a bit pricey. I used Martz for my 60 but they don't make a C2 upgrade. I would like front and rear end.

Bluestripe67

Contact Vette Brakes & Products. For 30% of you 9k you can have it all or any portion of it. Dennis

jfr's 63swc

copvette,

I will be interested in the responses on this as well. I was thinking of similar suspension and brake upgrades for my '63 convertible (as well as motor and trans to replace the current somewhat tired non original motor).

I was also wondering if others thought that the suspension upgrades would be noticeable on an original frame for a street car?

Jon

Bluestripe67

I was also wondering if others thought that the suspension upgrades would be noticeable on an original frame for a street car?

Jon[/QUOTE]

Noticable, as in, will the parts be visible? Yes they will be and you will most likely feel the difference, especially if you go all out with a "package". Any parts that are manufactured differently will be noticeable to those of us who recognize stock parts. Dennis

jfr's 63swc

Noticable, as in, will the parts be visible? Yes they will be and you will most likely feel the difference, especially if you go all out with a "package". Any parts that are manufactured differently will be noticeable to those of us who recognize stock parts. Dennis[/QUOTE]

Dennis,

Visibly, I know there is an obvious difference. I meant from a driving standpoint. VB&P has a lot of choices up to a $6300 package which would upgrade the suspension, brakes (to disc for me), rack & pinion steering and offset trailing arms for a little more tire underneath.

So, to stay sorta on point with the original posters question, I guess the question is for those that have done the suspension portion of the upgrade, is it worth making these upgrades to a 50+ year old technology frame? Is there a driving/handling difference for a street driven car?

Thanks,

Jon

RJ1

Check out Vansteel Inc in Tampa. They have a couple of options for front and rear suspension for your C 2.

Tom Austin

I'll chime in. I began the planning and research for my latest project last fall. I had two objectives - to add power steering and to improve the ride and handling by eliminating the poly bushings I installed in my suspension less than 15,000 miles ago (they're SHOT - particularly the rear strut rod bushings).

For the power steering system I chose the Steeroids power rack & pinion system. Two of my friends have this system - and they absolutely love it.

My research into replacing my poly bushings turned up an innovative new "del-a-lum" bushings offered by a company called Global West. Hours of research on many auto Forums pointed to the fact that most guys love them and find them far superior to poly bushings. I'm installing a set of these bushings on my lower control arms.

While I also looked at the new Ride Tech system (and also found it pricey), Global West also offers a number of suspension options for C2's - all with del-a-lum bushings - all designed to improve the ride and handling. Their website contains tons of tech tips and installation videos - check 'em out.

To improve the rear suspension of my car I'm installing HD rear strut rods with heim joints to eliminate the bushings all together. While I didn't get mine from Global West, they also offer them.

My project should be completed within the next 10 days - hope to be able to share more info if you like. Hope this helps. Good luck with your project!

Tom

63 340HP

Can a 50 year old suspension system and design be updated to perform like a somewhat modern vehicle. Yes, up to a point.

The C2 & C3 suspension had a long competitive life. Will it upgrade to a modern selective ride suspension like in a C5 to C7, no. Will it handle and turn like most modern cars, yes, if you are wIlling to compromise comfort or handling (a little).

Handling springs front and rear are a good upgrade, as are modern high pressure gas shocks with modern valving.

There is little wrong with stock rubber bushings for most drivers. Poly bushings are a handling upgrade, but can squeek and crumble in time. Delrin bushings are more like a cross between Teflon and Nylon, stiffer than poly but they do not lose their shape with age. Metal bushings are the next step in stiffness. Each step up in stiffness will compromise noise, vibration and harshness, but improve wheel alignment under load and handling.

Steering is a definite upgrade. Rack and pinion and the stock GM power assist have been around for decades. The newer Borgeson integrated power steering gearbox is a major improvement in handling and reduced complexity.

Taller rims and modern profile tires are the foundation for any handling upgrade.

If these upgrades spark the extreme handling bug, then anti-sway bar upgrades are next.

None of these come without some comfort compromise (except maybe the Borgeson power steering box).

Will it handle like a C4 through C7, no. Will it put a smile on your face, yes.

3JsVette

Danny Popp used their parts on his dominate LT1.

Brad-SixTsix

If your going to spend 9K you might be better off buying a new frame with C4 suspension.

Another route is to have your existing frame converted to accept C4 suspension. Earlier today I heard back from Progressive Automotive stating they would convert my existing '66 frame, no word on price though.

I have also contacted a few local hot rod shops that perform frame & suspension modifications. I was initially going to do it myself and may still go that route unless I can get someone to do it for the right price.

Kkujaw

If you just want better handling for cruising, the the ridetech level 2 ($5850) is all you need, add the front sway bar $600. You will need to change front breaks because of the ridetech spindles, how much you want to spend on that is up to you. I replaced the VBP f/r suspension upgrades that were on it, it's like night and day. The next thing is the bogenson box.

cpovette

To your point would be to leave rear end stock?

cpovette

Thank you. I'll check it out.

Kkujaw

No, I actually did mine in stages, I did the rear end first. ($2350), but that alone made a huge difference. Like I said, when you do the front, you will need to change the brakes due to the ride tech spindle.
You can use willwood, baer, or OEM brakes for the A or F body 70-72 chevelle. If you go to wildwood or baer website you can choose the brakes by spindle type (A or F 72 chevelle) or manufacture (ridetech) in the drop down. Again, if its just for street cruising, IMHO you don't need the Wilwood or Baer 6 piston big brake kits. So bottom line, is the suspension kit $5850 + 600 for front sway bar + lets say the wildwood forged dynolite 4 piston BB kit $825. I still need to add the Borgenson Box $745, (you can't run R&P if you go with the ridetech set up) but from everything ive read on this forum, the Borgenson box is the bomb! when all done, this set up will handle better then a c4, and its all bolt on. So all in aprox $8000.

65silververt

Van Steel has a nice Semi-coil over front set up. This is what I will be installing on a 63 soon. Combine this with a composite rear spring and adjustable Qa1 shocks, and it should make a noticeable difference. However, apparently you should not run a composite rear spring if you have under car exhaust.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...tle=FSC-01-400

I wouldn't mess with any of the ride tech items. While they look nice and I am sure they make a big difference, the price is just too high.

cpovette

All in Ridetech front and rear $8000? Plus theBorgenson box. Diffentitely need R and P.

TCracingCA

I like the geometry lowered coilover front lowers from Global and the SPC for uppers and I like old Koni 3012 shocks, and have old 5 link units for the rear! Once it is all together again, I will be capable of taking apart a RideTech or Vette Brakes equipped cars or any more modern chassis! But will need a kidney belt!!!!!

cpovette

Ha. Nice.
Who makes 5 link?

Kkujaw

All in front and back is $5850 + $ 600 front sway + 750 Borgeson box + $850 for 4 piston Wilson BB kit = 8050 yes, but no you don't need r&p, it actually won't work with the ridetech. All bolt on done in a day. Just saying

TCracingCA

Modified Guldstrand unit and for the other car an old Apex CVC setups! Neither sold anymore! The third Corvette just has modified van Steel offsets with spherical bearings and street konis! I like the Global West Delrin/aluminum bushings the best for all around on two of the cars! They can handle! Since I was freshing up the on one car, I decided to just do the second car also!

I feel a C7 will have nothing over me, handling wise! About same tire sizes, he has better brakes, but I am lighter, I have more power to weight, and I am coilover also!

And prior to saying wow above, I should have ran the calculator on what my stuff would have cost in the modern! The Guldstrand rear was $3100 when last sold, my Konis would run $3000 because I have the adjust on the car tops, the Global west lowers front about $750, the SPC uppers with the Howard ball joints about a $600 bill, various other stuff an old manual steer 12:1ratio box not available anymore probably about $600 when last sold! Spherical linked sway bars and homemade pillow blocks and spread bar for the front probably another $1000 bill! Home welding, probably a $1500 bill if I had sourced it out!

Oh boy! I am glad I ain't buying this stuff in the modern! Collecting things over time, it felt less expensive! Maybe these modern Companies even though not as trick as my race car stuff, their stuff being geared more for street! So maybe these setups are cost effective!