Hello folks,

second post here so please go easy

As posted in the into section, I just picked up a '69 conv as my first vette.



She was bought with some frame rust issues and in need of a complete suspension / brakes overhaul. I had planned to replace and powdercoat the frame while overhauling the chassis at the same time - going back with stock components (with the exception of a fiberglass rear spring).

This came along and I jumped on it.








Its a complete roller built with a VBP Perf suspension package with 17 in wheels. Front coils springs have been replaced with a one piece fiberglass spring.

Anyone have any feedback on this suspension package?

The car was bought as a NOM 350/4 speed car to be modified for street hot rod duties.

Thanks in advance, Ed

 

That's gorgeous Ed, thank you for sharing, and welcome to the forum.

What are you next few steps and goals for progress from this point?

Oh, and where are all your tools? That garage is SOOOO empty compared to most of ours I'm not used to seeing bare white walls and empty floors.

 

That's a great looking vert and once you get the body switched to the new fram and suspension you will be one happy camper. Good luck with the project. Keep us posted.

 

Hi Ed,
It looks like you have 1 nice looking car, and a 1/2 a car to make into a really nice 69. Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

PS: Since there's some frame rust, have you looked at the birdcage?

 

ooh Doggee that is purdy. yes i have the same suspension cept i have the TRW spring in the rear instead. you're gonna love the ride trust me. love them wheels also. u saved a lot of work w/that frame completely done. heres some pics of mine.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v323/rosslato/

 

Thanks for the warm welcome.


I can explain about the garage The roller is across the street in my mother-in-laws garage. Mine is full:




I have been a bike guy for the past 25yrs and have not owned a nice car since my '68 Camaro when I was 18 (1983). It was an all original 327ci/210hp powerglide car that I had no money to do anything with. I sold it in 1984 with 130K on the clock and got into bikes full time.

The Vette is my return to cars after growing up a little and getting into the financial position to buy something nice. Since its a non-matching #'s car, my plan is to build a nice street rod that will be driven regurally.

I plan to do some minor things myself, the frame/chassis swap will be handled by a Corvette speciality shop here in Dallas

Plans for powertrain are limited at this point, it already has a nicely tuned ( shorty headers and 600cfm Holley) 1973 350 with the original Muncie 4 speed.

My original frame has extensive rust in the 3rd crossmember and front shock towers. The frame is not worth fixing but the stock suspension/brakes are fine and I plan to part those out along with the 15x8 American racing 5 spoke wheels/tires.

The replacement chassis was already built when I bought it. I could not pass it up as the price was right. I figured the cost to source and prep a replacement frame and rebuild my old suspension/brakes was gonna cost more money than to buy this as a complete roller.

The 17in wheels were a bonus, I had planned to go back to 15 in rally's but will now wait to see how the 17's look and perform on the car.

rosslato, thanks for the photo link and nice car. Good to know that you are happy with this suspension. I was worried about it being too harsh for a street ride.

She is also getting a new radiator core support and factory 2.5in exhaust system. Gotta figure out gearing on both rear ends to determine which diff to use.

Thanks again, Ed

 

That's more like it, thanks for the 'real' garage pic. Great looking man cave and assortment of toys.

Great plan, and welcome to the forum.

 

You will LOVE the suspension,and it is adjustable for whatever driving style that you are feeling.I have 2 cars here w/the same setup.

 

I have that suspension on my car and I love it. It rides well, and the handling is really nice. Looks like alot of the hard work has been done for you.

Two things: (1) if you go back to 15" ralleys, which do look great, you won't have much of a tire selection anymore so be careful and do some research first (2) I found the sway bars that come with that suspension kit are a bit large and give a harsh ride and some oversteer on rough roads. If you have a few extra dollars, I would eliminate the rear sway bar and go back to something like a 1" swaybar in the front. Just a suggestion from my past experiences on the street and HPDE's.

I'm using a 1" front and a 9/16" rear and am pulling 1G in the corners, so the huge bars really are not needed.

Oh yeah, and welcome to the forum

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

I am with ya on the wheels, I was planning to replace the Torq Thrust 15x8's with 15x8 rallys and mount BFG Radial TA's. I had looked at 17 in wheels briefly knowing rubber selection would be much better, but didn't find much of a selection that would work without requiring wheel spacers.

These 17's came with the roller and use no spacers. I figure the VBP chassis is gonna like low profile sticky 17's, I just hope it passes in the looks dept.

The 17 in tires are ZR rated Bridgestone Expedia - fronts a little light at 215 with 255 rears. Tires are 3 yrs old with absolutely no wear. The 140treadwear rating should take of that in just a few thousand miles

I will definately keep the sway bar tip in mind.

Thanks, Ed

 

Thats a nice set-up. your going to be alot happier with the nice comforable ride the car going to have compared to a stock suspenation cars. Enjoy