Coilovers And Stock Suspension

[Dave Hood]

Ok so I was ready to pull the trigger on new QA1 coilovers and QA1 tubular control arms. This is for my 72 Z/28 with 38/K original miles. It's all stock and it sees no track time or road coarse time. Just street driven, but since all of the bushings we rotted from storage, I figured I would upgrade.

I want to keep the car at stock height but want the ability to increase the ride height maybe an inch or so. I decided to call QA1 for some part numbers and they said that whatever I buy from them will be at stock height or lower. Even the stock height would be questionable. I would not be able to raise the car any. I did appreciate the honesty.

The car has 38/K original miles. So, do I just put in new bushings and ball joints? Maybe add new coil springs since the ones in there are from 1972 and that would give me a little more height. Maybe there is a coil spring out there that will give me an additional inch.

What do you guys think on either side? Coilovers, tubular control arms VS stock controls arms and coil spring? Thanks

Also is you have suggestions, part numbers would be appreciated. Thanks again.

Dave

 

[G72Zed]

I'd do all new quality OEM or better stock components including new stock front coil springs.

Then, a quality front end alignment and enjoy.

 

[73Z L92]

My .02?
The nice part most if not all tubular a-arms allow more caster to dialed in for better tracking at highway speed.
I haven't looked into but I believe they make coil over kits for stock control arms.
Since you have such low miles are all the suspension stuff really shot or do they just need new boots and a clean up?

 

[Dave Hood]

I though coilovers didn't work with stock control arms?

If I'm taking them apart, I might as well replace them all and not just the boots.

 

[SPG]

I though coilovers didn't work with stock control arms?

If I'm taking them apart, I might as well replace them all and not just the boots.

They can be made to work with coilovers, but not worth it. You have to weld plates to the mounting holes

But really if you're doing coilovers, it's to lower the car, and with that you'd probably want an extended travel kit like this for your lowers so you're not losing any travel

1970-1981 Camaro Firebird F-Body 1975-1979 Nova Extended Travel Lower Control Arms with Del-A-Lum Bushings Part Number: CTA-71EXT - Global West Suspension Car Parts

Shop for 1970-1981 Camaro Firebird F-Body 1975-1979 Nova Extended Travel Lower Control Arms with Del-A-Lum Bushings Part Number: CTA-71EXT for the best prices on Global West Suspension Car Parts.

www.globalwest.net

 

[Lowend]

A couple of notes -
1) I really dislike QA1 on many levels - I recommend against them on pretty much all things

2) Factory ride height is A LOT higher than most people realize. Take a look at the photo from this original road test - there's a 4-6" fender gap there. You probably want some form of lowering spring.

3) With this car have list low mileage and original, I'd tend to preserve that for the most part. Rebuild the suspension with replacement parts and rubber (not poly) a-arm bushings. If you want to get cute, you can run a taller upper ball joint for (easily reversable) improved suspension geometry.

4) The couple of modifications I will recommend:
Get a set of Koni Shocks for the car. The GM's are long gone (and were awful) Koni's are period correct and excellent.

Replace the subframe bushings (also called body bushings) with aluminum. These are under the car and invisible for the most part, having a solid connection makes the cars so much more pleasant to drive. I guarantee your factory bushings are dust.

Custom Works specializes in 2nd Gen Camaro's I'd recommend speaking with them on the Bushings and the front end kit

Custom Works Performance

2nd gen Camaro Pro-touring specialists

customworksperformance.net

 

[Dave Hood]

Thanks Lowend I appreciate it. That's funny you say that, I already have the Koni shocks and solid body bushings. They do make a difference.

 

[krabben1]

I have to say,nowhere in the instructions for QA1s does it say you need to support the stock lower arm,if used.
They are made to bolt in and work,and I've yet to hear any stories on the net of coilovers blowing thru allover.
That being said,I did install a support plate on both my cars,as they are bigblocks,street driven in pothole alley(Pa).

 

[biker]

I dont know anyone with a truly stock height 2nd gen who looks at it and says "gee, I'd really like to lift the front end an inch".
Even though you have a low mileage car, the ride height is very likely lower if you still have original springs.

I know you are referring to the front of the car, but couldn't resist including this pic of a really cool torque arm setup for the rear. Speed tech. I cant take credit, Lowend linked it in another thread. It's a real gem.

 

[SPG]

I dont know anyone with a truly stock height 2nd gen who looks at it and says "gee, I'd really like to lift the front end an inch".
Even though you have a low mileage car, the ride height is very likely lower if you still have original springs.

I know you are referring to the front of the car, but couldn't resist including this pic of a really cool torque arm setup for the rear. Speed tech. I cant take credit, Lowend linked it in another thread. It's a real gem.

I've got a chassisworks torque arm, it has fantastic build quality