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Jul 4, 2011 | 12:40 PM

Tom Bunch

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stingray

I'd like to upgrade the suspension in my 1965 convertible. I live in SW Minnesota. Any recommendations on who would be good to do this. I don't expect it to be inexpensive nor do I expect miracles, just a better ride. thanks to all for help with other issues.

Jul 4, 2011 | 12:48 PM

JohnZ

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From: Washington Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Bunch

I'd like to upgrade the suspension in my 1965 convertible. I live in SW Minnesota. Any recommendations on who would be good to do this. I don't expect it to be inexpensive nor do I expect miracles, just a better ride. thanks to all for help with other issues.

If better ride quality is the objective, replacing all the bushings and shocks and using radial tires will accomplish that. If the objective is "handling", that's a different ball game and can get quite expensive.

Jul 4, 2011 | 01:40 PM

bb62

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2004

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CorvetteBuyer5869 will being point out that a 65 Corvette is a Sting Ray (two words), not a stingray (one word) in 5...4...3...2...1...

Jul 6, 2011 | 01:06 AM

rwerth7

Racer

Joined: Feb 2010

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnZ

John, The shocks are in the mail (adjustable Spax). Already have radial tires. What bushings would you replace on a 66 sb to improve ride quality? Would you go with rubber or poly?

Thanks

Jul 6, 2011 | 07:13 AM

TheSaint

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From: 50 kilometers outside Oslo Norway

In 69 why did they change Sting Ray to Stingray?

Jul 6, 2011 | 08:26 AM

Crunch527

Drifting

Joined: Mar 2011

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From: Iowa

Food for thought:

I am not an NCRS guy so I have used vette brakes street and slalom kit on my 73 sb vert and now I will use the grand sport on my 67 sb vert. Agree that radial tires help too. I have also learned that doing much more beyond this doesn't deliver any appreciable improvement relative to the cost. These cars are what they are and I have tried to throw money at the suspension (tubular control arms, etc) thinking I was going to make huge gains but the design and geometry are limfacs. The key thing I learned with these cars is not to over think it...

For example: I had a 73 vert that I did a ton of work to. Of note, I added the vette brakes "Street and Slalom" susp kit and it was too stiff/harsh ride. Now I have a small block 67 vert and it is a NOM car and I am going to use the brakes grand touring suspension kit because it isnt as stiff. Main upgrades are the fiberglass rear spring, bilstein shocks, thicker sway bars all with poly bushings. BTW: My experience with poly bushings is that they are fine...did my other vette in poly and didnt have any issues/squeaking.

Currently, I have the grand touring kit in my gagrage ready to install on my 67...waiting for my trailing arms and A-arms to get finished.

Happy to entertain questions/share addl info.

Cheers,

Frank

Jul 6, 2011 | 07:45 PM

JohnZ

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From: Washington Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwerth7

John, The shocks are in the mail (adjustable Spax). Already have radial tires. What bushings would you replace on a 66 sb to improve ride quality? Would you go with rubber or poly?Thanks

The OEM rubber bushings will work just fine for improved ride quality in normal street usage - that's what they were designed for; if you're going to autocross the car, you may like the feel better and may be more inclined to put up with the increased ride harshness that comes along with poly bushings. If you go with poly and then decide you've made a mistake, going back to OEM can be a very expensive trip; if poly was good for ride quality, the OEM's would use it. They don't.

Jul 7, 2011 | 08:41 AM

mrbeautie

Pro

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 507

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From: COCHRANE AB CAN.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwerth7

John, The shocks are in the mail (adjustable Spax). Already have radial tires. What bushings would you replace on a 66 sb to improve ride quality? Would you go with rubber or poly?

Thanks

Rubber will help ride, poly are quite hard, and will ride harsher but handle a little bit better. If you have old dried out rubber ones, the rubber ones will improve your ride.