Best aftermarket C3 Suspension upgrade
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Best aftermarket C3 Suspension upgrade
Looking for the best c3 front suspension upgrade (Smallblock). What is better?
Looking for the best ride- not going racing anytime soon
Coil overs
Semi coilovers
Fiberglass leaf
upgraded coil springs
Looking for the best ride- not going racing anytime soon
Coil overs
Semi coilovers
Fiberglass leaf
upgraded coil springs
The following users liked this post:
Chtippins (08-30-2021)
#3
Le Mans Master
Front shock tower spreader bar
TRW rear composite spring
Bilstein HD shocks
Poly Bushings
1 1/8" front sway bar
5/8" rear bar
17" wheels and tires
These come AFTER
steering end links
rag joint
idler arm
ball joints
TRW rear composite spring
Bilstein HD shocks
Poly Bushings
1 1/8" front sway bar
5/8" rear bar
17" wheels and tires
These come AFTER
steering end links
rag joint
idler arm
ball joints
#5
Melting Slicks
#6
Team Owner
When I still drove my blue/white '68 on the street, I had 460 lbs/inch front coils with KYB shocks and 330 lbs/inch composite rear spring with Monroe rear shocks..
I had stock front swaybars and stock big block rear sway bars..
Loved the ride.. Handled great in turns and had good comfort!! The setup wasn't stiff enough for road racing but still handled great!
I had stock front swaybars and stock big block rear sway bars..
Loved the ride.. Handled great in turns and had good comfort!! The setup wasn't stiff enough for road racing but still handled great!
#8
Racer
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: Colorado Springs Colorado
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For example, I have a 73 vert SB ZZ4 w/ 5 speed and like to drive the car in town and on the highway.
Suspension it is ALL new. I have the Street & Slalom System PN#42002from VBP. 360mono, 550 coils, Bilstein shocks, all poly bushings, tubular upper control arms, sway bars, all new balljoints, idler arm, blah, blah blah. I bought the kit from VBP. Car handles great but the ride is a bit stiff. Always a trade-off.
I could probably do fine with a "lighter" front coil since I have reduced the weight in the front w/ aluminum radiator, alum heads & intake, gear redux starter etc.
I am happy with the kit I purchased. Besides, I think there is a point of diminishing return when it comes to getting these antiquated designs to perform to modern standards. I am not saying you cant get alot out of these cars but I am saying that you can spend a ton of money and not be as far ahead as you might think.
Suspension it is ALL new. I have the Street & Slalom System PN#42002from VBP. 360mono, 550 coils, Bilstein shocks, all poly bushings, tubular upper control arms, sway bars, all new balljoints, idler arm, blah, blah blah. I bought the kit from VBP. Car handles great but the ride is a bit stiff. Always a trade-off.
I could probably do fine with a "lighter" front coil since I have reduced the weight in the front w/ aluminum radiator, alum heads & intake, gear redux starter etc.
I am happy with the kit I purchased. Besides, I think there is a point of diminishing return when it comes to getting these antiquated designs to perform to modern standards. I am not saying you cant get alot out of these cars but I am saying that you can spend a ton of money and not be as far ahead as you might think.
#10
Melting Slicks
For best ride/crusing suspension, I'd probably stick with factory springs .... get new ones, the old ones are probably worn out quite a bit. Spend the money getting good shocks (not necessarily stiff ones) - KYB2's, Edelbrocks, Bilsteins HD (not sport), ...
Also, get all new ball joints, tie rod ends, steering contol valve, flexible steering joint (or "rag joint"), and new bushings. Its amazing how a good refreshing of the suspension will make your car feel. Oh yeah, adjust the steering box too.
On a slightly different note, get a lowered camber rod bracket that mounts to the bottom of the differential (VPB, vansteel, etc.). This will take alot of the rear steer out of the car as you go over changes in the road surface. One of the first mods I did along time ago and it had an incredible improvement in the ride quality.
Also, get all new ball joints, tie rod ends, steering contol valve, flexible steering joint (or "rag joint"), and new bushings. Its amazing how a good refreshing of the suspension will make your car feel. Oh yeah, adjust the steering box too.
On a slightly different note, get a lowered camber rod bracket that mounts to the bottom of the differential (VPB, vansteel, etc.). This will take alot of the rear steer out of the car as you go over changes in the road surface. One of the first mods I did along time ago and it had an incredible improvement in the ride quality.
#11
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Old Skool, NY
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Well, here's my suspension work estimate from a specialty shop in NY.
**************************************** ********** ***** *Part cost*********************************** Labor hours
*
Replace water pump*************************** **$ 85.00*********************************** ****** 5.0
Replace a/c compressor*********************** *$366.40******************************** ********* 4.0
Remove pulleys/clean and paint*********************************** ********** ********************* 2.0
Replace all belts*********************************** $* 68.00*********************************** ***** 1.0
Rebuild frt. suspension************************** $ 319.00********************************** *****16.0
Blast/clean/paint suspension parts********** ---------*** ************************************** 4.0
coolant********************************* ********** ****** $ 18.00****
frt suspension upr/lwr bumper set************ $ 38.00*********************************** **** inc
HD Gas shocks (Bilstein)* ******************** $ 460.00********************************** ***** 2.0
R134 conversion for A/C freon**************** $125.00********************************* ******* 1.0
R134 a freon*********************************** ****** $110.00
4 wheel alignment******************************* ****$150.0 0
Paint materials******************************* ******** $40.00
*
Totals********************************** ********** ****** $1779.40******************************** 35.0
*
Parts************************ *$**1779.40
Labor* @$85.00********** $* 2975.00
Total************************** $* 4754.40
*
does not include towing. This is an estimate, there could be additional parts needed once we get into it and labor times are approximate. Actual time may vary.*
Thank You for your authorization on Tuesday to continue with the job. The parts have been ordered and should be here in a couple of days.
*
Additional work:
PARTS: rear bearings, hubs and spindle flanges on both sides
parts $ 1035.00*
*
labor: *10.5 hours X 85.00 = 892.50
*
tires:**** $ 440.00** *Firestone Indy 500***white letter 225/70R15
*
mount and balance tires**** $80.00
*********************************** ---------------------------
************************************ $2447.50
Total Estimate: $7201.90
They said the car will drive beautifully after the works done...!
**************************************** ********** ***** *Part cost*********************************** Labor hours
*
Replace water pump*************************** **$ 85.00*********************************** ****** 5.0
Replace a/c compressor*********************** *$366.40******************************** ********* 4.0
Remove pulleys/clean and paint*********************************** ********** ********************* 2.0
Replace all belts*********************************** $* 68.00*********************************** ***** 1.0
Rebuild frt. suspension************************** $ 319.00********************************** *****16.0
Blast/clean/paint suspension parts********** ---------*** ************************************** 4.0
coolant********************************* ********** ****** $ 18.00****
frt suspension upr/lwr bumper set************ $ 38.00*********************************** **** inc
HD Gas shocks (Bilstein)* ******************** $ 460.00********************************** ***** 2.0
R134 conversion for A/C freon**************** $125.00********************************* ******* 1.0
R134 a freon*********************************** ****** $110.00
4 wheel alignment******************************* ****$150.0 0
Paint materials******************************* ******** $40.00
*
Totals********************************** ********** ****** $1779.40******************************** 35.0
*
Parts************************ *$**1779.40
Labor* @$85.00********** $* 2975.00
Total************************** $* 4754.40
*
does not include towing. This is an estimate, there could be additional parts needed once we get into it and labor times are approximate. Actual time may vary.*
Thank You for your authorization on Tuesday to continue with the job. The parts have been ordered and should be here in a couple of days.
*
Additional work:
PARTS: rear bearings, hubs and spindle flanges on both sides
parts $ 1035.00*
*
labor: *10.5 hours X 85.00 = 892.50
*
tires:**** $ 440.00** *Firestone Indy 500***white letter 225/70R15
*
mount and balance tires**** $80.00
*********************************** ---------------------------
************************************ $2447.50
Total Estimate: $7201.90
They said the car will drive beautifully after the works done...!
#12
Instructor
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Colorado Springs CO
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Holy Chit Dude!!
That bill is more than twice what I paid for my CAR!! I don't understand how you guys pay for this stuff... I mean, I make decent money, I and couldn't IMAGINE paying a bill like that...
That bill is more than twice what I paid for my CAR!! I don't understand how you guys pay for this stuff... I mean, I make decent money, I and couldn't IMAGINE paying a bill like that...
#13
Drifting
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Location: Old Skool, NY
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I was shocked at the bill but its a high end shop and they photo-document their work onto a CD for their customers so I'm trusting them to do it perfect.
#15
That's alot of money for a CD...it's an insane price and a pure rip off!!
What's this:
Additional work:
PARTS: rear bearings, hubs and spindle flanges on both sides
parts $ 1035.00*
*
labor: *10.5 hours X 85.00 = 892.50
???????????
Am I reading this right, 2 grand to set up a pair of rear bearings? Man, I want in!!!
2 hours work to install a pair of shocks? I could do them in probably 20 minutes (all 4)
5 hours for a water pump..maybe an hour if everything is working against you
4 hours to remove ac compressor (not the whole system? just an ac compressor???)
16 hrs for a front susp???
...no need to go on... absolute insanity here
I helped a friend w/ his 69 vert, I removed the front & rear suspension, AC components, steering system (& pump), radiator & shroud, hood, brake MC & booster...basically stripped the car except for the engine in a day...this is insane
These guys are smoking crack! Are you sure they are working all those hours or are they shooting pics, I wouldn't want to pay someone for shooting pics...fix the damned car!!!
I'll do it for half!!!!!
What's this:
Additional work:
PARTS: rear bearings, hubs and spindle flanges on both sides
parts $ 1035.00*
*
labor: *10.5 hours X 85.00 = 892.50
???????????
Am I reading this right, 2 grand to set up a pair of rear bearings? Man, I want in!!!
2 hours work to install a pair of shocks? I could do them in probably 20 minutes (all 4)
5 hours for a water pump..maybe an hour if everything is working against you
4 hours to remove ac compressor (not the whole system? just an ac compressor???)
16 hrs for a front susp???
...no need to go on... absolute insanity here
I helped a friend w/ his 69 vert, I removed the front & rear suspension, AC components, steering system (& pump), radiator & shroud, hood, brake MC & booster...basically stripped the car except for the engine in a day...this is insane
These guys are smoking crack! Are you sure they are working all those hours or are they shooting pics, I wouldn't want to pay someone for shooting pics...fix the damned car!!!
I'll do it for half!!!!!
Last edited by Twin_Turbo; 12-14-2006 at 12:36 PM.
#16
Drifting
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Location: Old Skool, NY
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#17
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2005
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That's alot of money for a CD...it's an insane price and a pure rip off!!
I helped a friend w/ his 69 vert, I removed the front & rear suspension, AC components, steering system (& pump), radiator & shroud, hood, brake MC & booster...basically stripped the car except for the engine in a day...this is insane
These guys are smoking crack! Are you sure they are working all those hours or are they shooting pics, I wouldn't want to pay someone for shooting pics...fix the damned car!!!
I'll do it for half!!!!!
I helped a friend w/ his 69 vert, I removed the front & rear suspension, AC components, steering system (& pump), radiator & shroud, hood, brake MC & booster...basically stripped the car except for the engine in a day...this is insane
These guys are smoking crack! Are you sure they are working all those hours or are they shooting pics, I wouldn't want to pay someone for shooting pics...fix the damned car!!!
I'll do it for half!!!!!
I'm sure I could have easily found someone who would do it alot cheaper but I've had bad experiences so I'm just gonna take a chance and hope I'll be happy with everything he does.
#18
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2004
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St. Jude Donor '07
He's driving it on the street and doesn't need stiff springs becuase he wants a good ride. He needs some good shocks and to replace bushings and many other things that other people have mentioned also.
Edit: ahhhhh I get it . No sorry no 850# springs yet. They are only 600-625 now. Besides im not recomending 850# springs for a good ride
Last edited by Yellow73SB; 12-14-2006 at 12:51 PM.
#19
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the help guys!
I am sure that I am just like the rest of you out there- wanting to remortgage my house for that c5 suspension and tube frame- but at some point reality has to set in. I love driving my car- but sometimes it feels like being in a washing machine when I hit bumps. I put in a new composite monoleaf in the back (the VBP adjustable one) with the bilsteins Much better ride- but that could also be because both shocks were toast- one of them the fluid was leaking out. (FYI its a 68 convertible)
I am sure that I am just like the rest of you out there- wanting to remortgage my house for that c5 suspension and tube frame- but at some point reality has to set in. I love driving my car- but sometimes it feels like being in a washing machine when I hit bumps. I put in a new composite monoleaf in the back (the VBP adjustable one) with the bilsteins Much better ride- but that could also be because both shocks were toast- one of them the fluid was leaking out. (FYI its a 68 convertible)