Thread: 1st Gen Camaro Suspension Replacement

Tweet

Has anybody used Heidt’s or TCI’s (or anyone else’s) bolt in 4-link rear suspension or the IFS front-end sub-frames? I’ve got a 67 Camaro (drum brakes & power steering) with totally worn out suspension (170,000 miles on original).

http://www.heidts.com/heip43.htm#camframe
http://www.totalcostinvolved.com/pro...fm?prodID=1422

I’m about to do a major upgrade and refinish to the entire car, and will probably be dropping a few $$$ into this car’s finishes. I’m just wondering if the ride and handling performance will be worth the expense of these suspension replacement/upgrades. Or, should I just replace the existing springs and rebuild the original suspension?

Thanks for any advice.

Dan

I put a Heidts under a Camaro, but it was with an entire new frame and not the factory subframe setup. There are lots of good upgrades for the stock suspension too, good springs, A-Arms, coilovers, bushings, or anythine else you want to replace....

I just did a 69 camaro with a friend,replacing and up grading to polyurethane everywhere there was a kit for,new rotors,pads ,calipers,all the steering etc. For what it cost,and the time involved,you might better go with a front and rear kit,I liked the Height's front, and the TCI rear, add subframe connecters,and use an air ride system instead of coil-overs Hank

Dave, how much better was the handling and ride on your Camaro after you did the swap? I guess you ended up with a new rack and pinion steering setup with the frame swap. Was your car a driver or were you racing?

Hank, did you guys install anti-sway too?

I know my Camaro’s suspension is shot... it feels like you’re riding in a canoe when you drive this rascal. The steering is slow; it rolls from side to side and has a really soft ride. Anything will be an improvement over what I’ve got now.

I’m going to change out the drum brakes to power disk, and this will be getting into a few $$ for that upgrade. The disk brakes would be included with the Heidt’s package. If I rebuild the existing suspension and add anti-sway bars, I know I’ll be spending less than the new front clip and 4-link.

Do you think the "performance" of the rebuilt original suspension (with anti-sway) is going to be considerably “less than” the new Heidt’s setup? I’d hate to save a few $$ and then regret the difference in handling and ride.

Dan, please fill us in on your planned use for this. These components are great ideas, but if it's a daily driver, might not be neccessary. Stock rebuilds still do well. Remember this set up was designed to give the buyer a feel to emulate the Mustang handling (because ford was kicking the road course's butt back then). Fill us in please. too many nice options to consider. We'ed like to help out.

Nitro,

This is going to be an 18 to 24 month “weekend” project. The idea is to get my son some experience with “old” cars, and maybe generate a little interest with his buddies too.

The car will be my son’s daily driver for a couple of years after we've finished. My plan is to prep the car so that when dad gets it back from son, the 327 and automatic are pulled and replaced with something I can enjoy! I just want to get all of the suspension and brake work done before we start any of the “finish” work.

I don’t plan to race the car when I get it back, but I’d like to have decent performance when I’m out “playing” with it. I'll also be making some long distance road trips to events.

Dan

Dan, Yes the sway bar was up graded also. There's probably several other sub-frame kits out there also. Unless you want the bling-bling stuff, paint handles just as good as chrome,and slots and holes are ok for racing,but not really needed on the street.We did it just for fun,nobody was getting paid [although I did suck up lots of his beer] and He and I both agree that a new sub with better steering,brakes ,additional clearance for headers ,better ride,and eye appeal is hard to beat. Hank

Thanks Hank,

I like my stuff looking nice, but the underside just needs to be clean... no "bling-bling" necessary. I'm really trying to figure out if the improvement in performance and handling is going to be worth the extra $$. BTW, I do appreciate what you said about saving time and the extra clearance that will be afforded with the new subframe installation.

Dan

Okay Danny, one of my favorite things in life is helping a buddy spent HIS money!

Given your described intent this might be helpful.

Some good reading for you; http://www.camaros.net/forums/archiv....php/f-16.html

Also check out Guldstrand Engineering, Dick has been doing this stuff "forever"; http://www.guldstrand.com/gss4.htm (then go to home page link at the bottom to navigate.

Then plan on coming out in Nov to SEMA and we'll cruise the booths. I'll buy dinner, but bring your checkbook!!

Thanks Bob! Looks like a wealth of reading information.

And hey, what’s a buddy for if he can’t help you spend your money... you’re a good man for volunteering to help me out! With all the help you’re trying to give me, I’d better get out there and water my money tree.

SEMA sounds good, let’s make sure it happens this year.

Dan

I'm determined to make my Nova handle better with stock parts.

Since you mentioned converting to 2nd gen stock front end -

I'm curious as to opinions on the advantage of front steer over rear steer linkage.

Originally Posted by Dan J

Dave, how much better was the handling and ride on your Camaro after you did the swap? I guess you ended up with a new rack and pinion steering setup with the frame swap. Was your car a driver or were you racing?

Very, Very much better!!! But, the entire frame was built out of 1 1/2" X 3" 11 gauge rectangular tubing complete with an 8 point roll bar, a cowl hoop, and front bars from the cowl hoop to the frame.... The existing floor of the Camaro was notched with the old floor welded to the new frame rails, then braces off the main hoop to the door latch area and braces from the cowl hoop to the door hinge area.... I used MII suspension with tubular A-Arms, coilovers, power rack and pinion, and 11" disc brakes and a 9" Ford rear end on coilovers with 9" disc brakes. Both ends of the car had anti-roll bars, the tubular ones with the adjustable end links.

It was not a cheap or an easy project.... I built this for a customer 5 or 6 years ago. He drives it all summer every year and has racked up better then 20,000 miles on the car since it was done. It handles like a slot car and will stop on a dime!!!!!

Dave, your man had more coins in his fruit jar than I’ll be able to come up with! Sounds like you put together a really nice setup for your customer. I'd like to have the slot-car performance, but I'm not in that league yet.

I’m sure the performance and handling is going to be better with the new clip and 4-link. I’ve just got to do more homework before I make up my mind... mainly, I’ve got to finish putting together my total budget for this project before I know which way to go.

Thanks for the comments.

Dan