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I know there has been a million threads on this, but this will be specific to my needs. I have the engine out of my '74 coupe for rebuilding. Plain Jane L-48 as far as I know, no Gymkhana or otherwise special suspension. I am going to do a full rebuild on the front suspension while it is out. I plan to use Wilcox's Polyurethane Made in USA kit. I will also lower the car by cutting the existing springs. I am doing this purely for cosmetics; the car, even with worn out suspension, handles better than I can drive, plus there is no where near me to really wind it out any way. From what I've read, Bilsteins are good for the money. I remember people recommend a mix between Sports and HDs, but I dis-remember which on the front(Sports?) and rear(HD?). I plan to keep the stock rear spring, and use longer bolts to lower. I also will be keeping the stock Rally wheels, with 255/60s(may jump up to 275/60 in the rear). Other question, will using these shocks on a lowered car, cause them to bottom out? I have had lowered trucks before(a few VERY low), and I know this can be an issue.
Last edited by Richard Daugird; Nov 28, 2016 at 03:34 PM.
I run Bilsteins' HD's on all 4 corners on my '70 BB coupe. Stock suspension with 9 leaf rear steel spring. 255/60's all the way around. I couldn't be happier. The car never sees the track or any serious competitive driving.
since you are using the stock steel spring in the rear, I would do HD all around
you control arms front and trailing arms rear should have bump stops that hit before the shock bottoms out
I would use HD's all around for a base suspension car with a base rear steel spring.
I run Bilstein HD's in front with 550 springs cut 1/2 coil and Sports in the rear with my 360 composite. Originally a gymkhana suspended car from the factory...Car rides, steers, and handles MUCH better than the stock F-41 suspension ever did from the factory. Ride with 255/45/17 ZR ultra high performance tires is VERY comfortable on the street...firm but not harsh. It rides better than base suspension C3's I have been in by far...
I had bilstiens on my 88 lingenfelter trans am and they worked well for many years. on my 79 at the suggestion of VBP I installed QA1 shocks and I'm VERY pleased. they have a non adjustable version that is a bit less out of your pocket and are rebuild able should that become necessasary.
..... I plan to keep the stock rear spring, and use longer bolts to lower. I also will be keeping the stock Rally wheels, with 255/60s(may jump up to 275/60 in the rear).....
When I had 15" rims and 255/60 tires along with longer bolts to lower the rear, the sidewalls would flex and contact the end of the leaf spring. I upgraded to a 360lb composite spring that was a half inch shorter on each end. Also went with non-adjustable QA-1 shocks on the rear.
I fitted sport in the rear in preparation for my composite spring going in, no complaints with the steel spring since fitting the Bilsteins.
Will be fitting Sport in front as well when I get around to doing the front end later.
Graham
+1 for Bilstien HDs up front for me too. I just completed the suspension on my 74 with what you're considering. 550 lb springs, cut about 1/4 coil (mostly so it would fit upper and lower pocket notches correctly....I chickened out on the half or full coil cut as has been described by jb78L82 and others. i can also cut it more once everything is settled) Urethane bushings, body mounts, Borgeson box, slotted cross shafts to get more caster. Unfortunately I can't comment on feel 'cause I haven't driven it yet; the engine just went in this week and have plumbing & wiring to do next.
On the rear suspension I did stock spring and shocks, but that because i started the restoration at the rear and hadn't researched suspension yet. Once I get the differential back from Traccdogg2 I'll swap the shocks out back to Bilstien sports, most likely.
Last edited by Cool bean; Nov 29, 2016 at 06:54 PM.
460 front 360 plastic rear, Billy Stein sports on all 4 corners....
ditch them stupid steel rear springs, your *** is setting on top of them, and the friction between the leaves make it a very rough ride....and too boot the sport shocks smoothed out a local undulating LONG bridge here locally.....springs are VBP and I think the shocks are too....they came along a lot later....
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