gasserdays

I am doing a body off resto on a 67 442 4sp. I have been reading this web site and many others researcing suspension optons. Due to the fact this is not a numbers matching car I would like to upgrade the suspension and brakes. The options I am looking at are 1. stock arms with Energy Suspension Bushings, Moog ball joints,1" lowering springs in front, 2" lowering springs in the rear, Bilstein shocks on all 4 corners, 1" and 1 1/4" sway bars, and 2" dropped spindle disc brake kit. 2. same as option 1. but with QA1 coil over conversion in front, QA1 shocks on the rear. I am concerned the car will be too low. Opions please.

gearheads78

That's crazy talk

What are your wheel size plans? It will affect what I suggest to you on suspension combo.

gasserdays

I have been following the build of your car and I must say it is outstanding. On the subject of wheels, I am considering a vintage set of 15" American 200S or going with a set of 20 and 18 billet specialties Mag G. The car will be a normal street car and not used in anytype of auto cross events. I am just looking for a good ride and better handling.

gearheads78

Thanks it was a fun build.

If I was doing it again I would do it just like I did it before. I had similar goals. I did run one autocross goodguys event but it was not an autocross car. I wanted a car that rode , drove and handled like a modern sports sedan.

I called and talked to Marcus @ SC&C and followed his advice

-SPC stage II+ kit (would upgrade to AFX spindles if you have the funds)
-Lee steering box
-Bilstein shocks
-stock front bar from a GTO
-rear 1" bar
-Currietrac rear control arms
-Eibach springs
-stock lower control arms with rubber bushings
-C6 front brakes
-LS1 rear brakes
-18" wheels to clear brakes
-255 40/285-40 front and rear tires

Anyone that ever road in my car could not believe how well it rode and drove stopped and handled

gasserdays

Thanks or the reply. Could you answer these questions:
Why rubber bushings in stead of poly
What spindle did you use (stock or dropped)
Which Eibach springs
Which Bilsteins
What was the overall amount of drop.

Thanks.

gearheads78

Keep in mind this has now been over 4 years so I know other stuff has come out since then. If I was you I would call Marcus and be ready to learn more about suspension in 30 min than you even knew you could. He will talk your ear off but it well worth your time.

67Olds442X2

You couldn't have picked a better car to restore Sorry I can't really add to your suspension questions, my car is raised 2". Good luck and have fun.

gasserdays

Thanks for all the great replies. I contacted Eibach and they do not offer a lowered spring set for a 67 A body with a big block (go figure). I am looking at other alternatives from Hotchkis, BMR, etc. I am trying to keep this project within a medium budget. So far I have decided to use Spohn rear trailing arms and sway bars along with Bilstein shocks. I will use a 11" stock height disc brake kit on the original a arms with rubber bushings. The only critical part left is the springs.

Thanks

copper128

The big block Olds only weighs about 70 lbs more than a small block in stock form. If you're using any aluminum parts like heads, intake, water pump, etc. or removing A/C, running headers instead of iron manifolds...

what I'm saying is the small block springs should work just fine for an Olds. When aftermarket companies refer to "big block" they're usually meaning the BBC, which is significantly heavier in stock form.

joe_padavano

Well, unless you plan to just run around on the metal rims, we really need to know what TIRE size you plan to run. Also, check out this month's Hot Rod, where they upgrade the suspension on their Skylark convertible. The same parts apply to your car.

gasserdays

I plan on running 15 x 8.5 " rims in back and 15 x 7 " in front with 60 series tires.

oldcutlass

You may have issues with rubbing in the rear using 15x8.5's if you lower the car. The fronts are no problem.

joe_padavano

Unfortunately, still not helpful.

A 60 series 15" tire could range from 196/60-15, which is a little under 8" wide and 24" in diameter, to a 275/60-15, which is 3" wider and 4" larger in diameter, and these are just what's available in BFG T/As. Fitment will vary between these two, hence my original question.

gasserdays

Thanks everyone,
It appears that a 275/60 on a 8.5 rim with a 3 3/4" b.s. will rub on the rear with the car lowered. My other alternative is to use a set of steel rims with dog dish caps. Since they will need to be custom made I would like to go with a 9" rim using a 275/60 R15 tire. I'm thinking the back space will need to be about 5 1/4 to 5 1/2. Just to keep you guys thinking, I have also considered 17" steel rims from Wheel Vintiques with the dog dish caps. 9" in the rear with 255/50 and 7" in the front with 235/50. I would appreciate any pics of dog dish wheels on a 66 or 67. I love the sleeper look.

oldcutlass

My car has 8.5 x 15 American racing wheels and P275-60-15's on it. I know a 15x7 with the same tire will tuck up in there.

gearheads78

you are on the right track on your BS. With custom wheels just remember measure twice order once.

If you are willing to go 18 this might be an option
http://www.hubgarage.com/mygarage/mobsteel/blogs/40209