The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Will you need control arms, strong arms, shocks and springs when installing airride?

(This is not on a mopar, sorry it's on a -66 Chevelle)...

Because there are cheap kit's on e-bay to this specific vehicle, but not including those parts.

It is a difference on like eight times the money to a kit including those meantioned parts.

$1 k or $8

Wow? That's some difference.

Won't the angles etc be correct with stock arms and so on?

Some links:

http://www.opgi.com/chevelle/CH27750/

https://m.ecklerschevelle.com/chevelle- ... -1967.html

http://www.jegs.com/p/Ridetech/Ridetech ... 9/10002/-1


And the cheap way

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 1377651424


Will you need to build your own control arms/ strong arms and other, with a kit like this?

Hi Jimiboy

Mid '60's GM mid size bodies usually use the same underpinnings as each other, Chevelles, Tempests, Skylarks, Cutlass's etc, all share these basic components.

You could buy custom fabricated control arms to make it easier to fit the airbags, but you can also modify the stock pieces yourself and make them work just as well.

The kits on those web links are pretty good, I'd do some research on the GM web forums.

Why the airbags anyway? Why not just a Hotchkis suspension upgrade?

Adrian Worman wrote:Hi Jimiboy

Mid '60's GM mid size bodies usually use the same underpinnings as each other, Chevelles, Tempests, Skylarks, Cutlass's etc, all share these basic components.

You could buy custom fabricated control arms to make it easier to fit the airbags, but you can also modify the stock pieces yourself and make them work just as well.

The kits on those web links are pretty good, I'd do some research on the GM web forums.

Why the airbags anyway? Why not just a Hotchkis suspension upgrade?

Oohhh
Enoying

Wroted a reply and some interference with the wi-fi erased it all

Anyway, thanks Adrian

Please post a link to the suspension you had in mind?

I also thought a disc brake kit with dropped spindles might be enough aswell, what do you think? For a start i mean? I could go for suspension upgrade later, right? (It must be as i am thinking, that i can use stock parts if i want? For a starter...)

If going airride, please explain further? Is underpins same as lower big arm "strong arm"?
(Any pic on a modified underpinnings? I asked the seller if there where more specific instructions on the meassurements, but seems not. I also need to relocate the upper mount for the strut(?)
How would i know the meassure and angles for that? I bet i need other shocks?

Airride would be great on these poor roads. I got so tired fend off the bumps in 60mph, to clear those headders. But with 20's as i would go for, i get the car up a bit, so i might do well with a good suspension. Just don't have a clue of wich one.


You have any thoughts about summitracing disc brake kits? Or other advice on this?

Really appreachiate it Adrian! Thanks

Adrian Worman wrote:Hi Jimiboy

Mid '60's GM mid size bodies usually use the same underpinnings as each other, Chevelles, Tempests, Skylarks, Cutlass's etc, all share these basic components.

You could buy custom fabricated control arms to make it easier to fit the airbags, but you can also modify the stock pieces yourself and make them work just as well.

The kits on those web links are pretty good, I'd do some research on the GM web forums.

Why the airbags anyway? Why not just a Hotchkis suspension upgrade?

http://www.hotchkis.net/tvs_system_w_ex ... lock_.html
This is what you mean? perfect, but is there no shocks(?) hmm am i blind?

This and dropped spindles, that would be cool.
Still, always nice with airride...

Is summit's brakes good enough?
m.summitracing.com/search/part-type/disc-brake-kits/year/1966/make/chevrolet/model/chevelle/position/front-and-rear/front-rotor-diameter/13-00-in-330-2mm/brake-booster-included/yes?keyword=Drop

That Hotchkis stuff is perfect, not cheap I have to admit, but they make some nice stuff.
Remember you don't need a total vehicle package, just a few well chosen components will have 90% of the benefits of a complete kit.
Go thru their website and check out the coil springs, dropped spindles and sway bars.
The GM A body is fairly light but has a seperate chassis, so more time spent boxing and bracing the frame in its critical points will make a huge difference.
A good start would also be to include urethane bushes, offset upper control arm bushes are available from Moog, the same idea as used on Mopars.
As for shocks I think you'll find QA-1's unbeatable, but Bilstein make some very good shocks for a good deal less. Hotckiss have just launched a new range of shocks too.

I have nothing against airide suspension, I just think its a modern gimmick aimed at street rodders and low riders who want 'the look'.
Ever see a vintage car on a circuit on airbags? No, didn't think so

I'd get the car home first Jimi, then evaluate what you've got to work with.
I wouldn't recommend gettin the work done over there, you're leavin yourself well open to gettin ripped off!
Sweden is full of '60's GM cars, custom parts are gonna be easy enough to get mate.

Same goes for the brakes, 13" Wilwoods look awesome on all four corners but you can build a nice braking system for half what that would cost.
Check out Scarebird LLC on the web, they make some interesting stuff to get big brakes from Foreign cars onto US spindles and hubs.

Sounds like a good car tho Jimi, them 327's just rev and rev, perfect for a 4 speed

Oh this is the black 4-speed car that was for sale in the US. That is a lovely car just as it is. Please don't modify it too much. Better brakes and a suspension handling package is all it needs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Chevelle-M ... 7675.l2557

dave-r wrote:Oh this is the black 4-speed car that was for sale in the US. That is a lovely car just as it is. Please don't modify it too much. Better brakes and a suspension handling package is all it needs.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1966-Chevelle-M ... 7675.l2557

That's the baby

No, i think it's cool old school as is, but some brakes, suspension and wheels would be great

Then as Adrian said, i think the 327/4-speed combo would be interesting enough

Adrian Worman wrote:That Hotchkis stuff is perfect, not cheap I have to admit, but they make some nice stuff.
Remember you don't need a total vehicle package, just a few well chosen components will have 90% of the benefits of a complete kit.
Go thru their website and check out the coil springs, dropped spindles and sway bars.
The GM A body is fairly light but has a seperate chassis, so more time spent boxing and bracing the frame in its critical points will make a huge difference.
A good start would also be to include urethane bushes, offset upper control arm bushes are available from Moog, the same idea as used on Mopars.
As for shocks I think you'll find QA-1's unbeatable, but Bilstein make some very good shocks for a good deal less. Hotckiss have just launched a new range of shocks too.

I have nothing against airide suspension, I just think its a modern gimmick aimed at street rodders and low riders who want 'the look'.
Ever see a vintage car on a circuit on airbags? No, didn't think so

I'd get the car home first Jimi, then evaluate what you've got to work with.
I wouldn't recommend gettin the work done over there, you're leavin yourself well open to gettin ripped off!
Sweden is full of '60's GM cars, custom parts are gonna be easy enough to get mate.

Same goes for the brakes, 13" Wilwoods look awesome on all four corners but you can build a nice braking system for half what that would cost.
Check out Scarebird LLC on the web, they make some interesting stuff to get big brakes from Foreign cars onto US spindles and hubs.

Sounds like a good car tho Jimi, them 327's just rev and rev, perfect for a 4 speed

Thanks

I have some to read and learn now. Thanks Adrian
I might get back to you if that's okay?

There would be a great benefit in getting parts shipped with the car, but i can't order wheels etc, before meassuring, and there is no point doing that before the discbrakes etc is on the car... :-/ so, it's kind of backwards.... I guess i have to back order them wheels later on anyway...

Look forward to meet the car, and say "hello, my little friend" mmmhh'hhhmmmhhh!

That's cool Jimi just take your time and get it right

I've just started buying bits from summit again and the exchange rate, Euros or Sterling, Is really good right now so it's worked out well, duty on parts I s lots less than it used to be

Yeah but shipping prices seem to be going up for some reason. You would think with all the competition they would be going down?

I drove a 1980 C3 Corvette with 350 and 4-speed on Sunday. What a crock of underpowered shit.

Couldn't get the seat far enough back for my legs. Clutch bite point was so high I kept kneeing myself in the face.

dave-r wrote:I drove a 1980 C3 Corvette with 350 and 4-speed on Sunday. What a crock of underpowered shit.

Couldn't get the seat far enough back for my legs. Clutch bite point was so high I kept kneeing myself in the face.

Yeah they are just wheezy old clunkers, bet it wouldn't of cracked 150 horses on a rolling road Daveman
........ and you got legs like a spider munky ain't surprised it was uncomfortable!
My poor dead brother had an 80 Eckler bodied CanAm replica that was just as bad, didn't even have a dual exhaust! Ride was hard as hell too

I let the owner have a drive of my C5. He nearly crapped himself when it kicked down at 70mph.

Just take a look at this beauty my mates!
Look at it!
A 2 inch drop on those wheels, and a discbrake kit allaround!
And suspension parts... And it will be Perfect!!!!!!
My dream come thrue!!!

Looks terrific Jimi!

Thanks Ed!

What's happening to your computer?

(I just hate it when all sorts of electronics we are used to, starts to mess up!)

For all the rest of you, here is a before pic from yesterday, if the link Dave posted would stop work...

Prefer the original wheels.

dave-r wrote:Prefer the original wheels.

I think you are not alone on that Dave

But me on the other hand, i just love these

I simply cannot stop looking and drawling...

I love modern rims and I have to agree with you Jim, they look awesome

Yep, with a drop and big rotors peeking thru the spokes that will be damn near perfect

Well done mate, beautiful car! Life outside of Mopar

Jimiboy wrote:

dave-r wrote:Prefer the original wheels.

I think you are not alone on that Dave

But me on the other hand, i just love these

I simply cannot stop looking and drawling...

Adrian Worman wrote:I love modern rims and I have to agree with you Jim, they look awesome

Yep, with a drop and big rotors peeking thru the spokes that will be damn near perfect

Well done mate, beautiful car! Life outside of Mopar

Thanks mate

I've done some research and i like the idea of yours about hotckins. I'm thinking a full kit.how much (little clearance does that usually give them boyz already ridin' hotchkins?


I thought the headders mainly...

Dropped with hotchkins and a 2" drop with spindels.

Don't find me no complete set with wilwood and spindels....

Ride height all depends on type of rear springs, Hotchkis leaf springs are usually 1" lower ride height on Mopars, but I'm sure I've used 2" lower leafs or coils on a GM car before.

Battery failed,,I'm still using it. Looks great Jimi! I prefer rims that are lightweight,,and can fit modern,,wider rubber. That's going to be the biggest/best mod for handling. But some guys like the 60's look. If you are going to use aftermarket big disc brakes,,most 13" rotors need at least a 17 rim". 14" rotors need at least 18" maybe more,,depends on the Caliper size.