help choosing suspension
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville North Carolina
help choosing suspension
I was looking at the VBP Grand Touring System $1050. Ecklers has the Stage IV Super Street Handling Kit $700. I want something that would be better than stock but not empty the wallet.
Anyone else with this idea find something good that worked? What are your suggestions?
Thanks!
Anyone else with this idea find something good that worked? What are your suggestions?
Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
I have fully converted my 69 over to the VBP suspension. I started with the rear and worked my way forward when i had the money. I highly recommend upgrading to VBP, it greatly improves handling. Check out ebay for VBP kits, they have some good prices.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Loveland Colo
Go with VBP and get it fom them. If you get a "VBP-esque" kit from another vendor, they buy some parts from VBP and other stuff from others and mix & match to come up with something that's kinda sorta similar to VBP, but they'll be missing a couple pieces, and some won't be matched, and they have absolutely no clue what they're doing if you try to call and ask questions. I've seen it happen a couple times. People saved $300 on the initial price, but the BS afterwards ended up exceeding the savings.
The Grand Touring is a nice kit. But another thing to watch out for--After it's in and you've driven it a while, you'll start wishing for more upgrades!
John
The Grand Touring is a nice kit. But another thing to watch out for--After it's in and you've driven it a while, you'll start wishing for more upgrades!
John
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,709
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
go to front transverse full kit conversion, rear fg springs, QA1 shoks all round and also you should consider uprating your braking sistem as part of the handling uprate, you can't handle well with a dead body of about 70 extra lbs hanging from your wheels (and i mean the calipers).
if your wallet is not enough full, save a little more and wait to be able to uprate to the ultimate level, otherwise you'll have to empty it twice instead of once (like i did...).
if your wallet is not enough full, save a little more and wait to be able to uprate to the ultimate level, otherwise you'll have to empty it twice instead of once (like i did...).
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville North Carolina
Thanks, yes I'm sure I would be wanting more upgrades, but I will be sticking to the "nice/fun driver" as planned while making it somewhat close to original during the resto. Initially I was planning to only replace the rubber with poly... I've kept the std brakes and steering.
Would I be good to use the Eckler's kit? Anyone have it?
Thanks
Would I be good to use the Eckler's kit? Anyone have it?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville North Carolina
Originally Posted by panic
i have it...it's good, fitted perfectly and i'm very glad i bought it...
Thanks for the feedback evreyone!
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
so is there a general consensus on which is better or are we going to go under the assumption that you get what you pay for, I have no doubt VBP makes a good product otherwise they would be out of business, just wondering if its worth the extra money.
-alex
-alex
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,709
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
my personal (expensive) experience in the motoring field is that you get what you pay for...
anyway, i've bought the ecklers kit only because i had already a long relation with them as a customer and they've always proved to be very reliable...
anyway, i've bought the ecklers kit only because i had already a long relation with them as a customer and they've always proved to be very reliable...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Originally Posted by bwellisley
I was looking at the VBP Grand Touring System $1050. Ecklers has the Stage IV Super Street Handling Kit $700. I want something that would be better than stock but not empty the wallet.
Anyone else with this idea find something good that worked? What are your suggestions?
Thanks!
Anyone else with this idea find something good that worked? What are your suggestions?
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Loveland Colo
Originally Posted by JPhil
Go with VBP and get it fom them. If you get a "VBP-esque" kit from another vendor, they buy some parts from VBP and other stuff from others and mix & match to come up with something that's kinda sorta similar to VBP, but they'll be missing a couple pieces, and some won't be matched, and they have absolutely no clue what they're doing if you try to call and ask questions. I've seen it happen a couple times. People saved $300 on the initial price, but the BS afterwards ended up exceeding the savings.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Wichita Kansas
If it has been a number of years and miles since your front end was rebuilt and you do not want to make the complete suspension change, then rebuild the front end with all new bushings, ball joints etc. This will make a huge difference in an old car. Poly busings will make it more harsh, but I've had them for years and don't mind. Also firmer springs, 400 or 550 lbs in front with a 1 1/8 sway bar will help. I like Koni Shocks and you can buy them from Summit around $80 each. You will get a lot of suggestions from the forum and most of them are good. There are several ways to improve the handling on these cars. I choose stock suspension parts because to run in SCCA street prepared the rules require it.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Originally Posted by wrc69v
I have fully converted my 69 over to the VBP suspension. I started with the rear and worked my way forward when i had the money. I highly recommend upgrading to VBP, it greatly improves handling. Check out ebay for VBP kits, they have some good prices.
on VBP they know suspensions and will make a custom setup for you. Ecklers just sells parts and have two or three packages. VBP customized my setup just for me. & the cost was a little lower when I mentioned I was a member of this forum.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville North Carolina
thanks again, everyone! i think i'll call and discuss the items in each system with each (ecklers and vbp) to have the apples to apples comparison. i don't think i need the bilstien shocks or the composit spring, as i'm not looking to race. i mostly want to have it like original but slightly better and safe. i would think that shocks these days are mostly better than anything used back then. right now it is like sitting in a bed of a pick-up truck, as the shocks are all rusted solid and is a rigid ride, kinda like my rigid single speed bicycle!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Jims79
on VBP they know suspensions and will make a custom setup for you. Ecklers just sells parts and have two or three packages. VBP customized my setup just for me. & the cost was a little lower when I mentioned I was a member of this forum. 
I have to give Van Steel props, too.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX
I think I'll get a front end rebuild, the backs been done and Ive got Bilstein HD shocks all around, definitly need some new bushings and springs up front with some bigger sway bars with poly bushings.
-alex
-alex
