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Author
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Topic: New Front Suspension
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Roadkill
Journeyman Posts: 80
From: Chesterfield, Mi, 48047
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 08-04-2005 05:36 PM
 
Does anybody have a suggestion for front suspension replacement. Any body have experience with the Heidts or Coil Over systems that are on the market. Im looking to replace mine for smoother ride performance and not sure where to go with this. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks Ed
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grego37
Gearhead Posts: 411
From: los angeles,CA,USA
Registered: May 2004
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posted 08-04-2005 05:57 PM
If your goal is 'smooth ride performance' Id rebuild the front end, and install some of the "rollerized" spring perches, and good shocks.
If you want to go a step further progressive rate coil springs.Now, if you want the thing to handle great. Do the shelby drop, upgrade to aftermarket upper/lower arms,sway bar, export brace,monte carlo bar,strut rod kit, sub frame connectors, good tires etc.... now if your going racing, go with the coil-overs. If you're not, Id use that money elsewhere .
Im sure coil-overs work the best and look the best, but inless you're racing the thing, i dont think you'd notice a difference.
good luck
you didnt mention what car this was for, I assumed you have a early mustang?
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Roadkill
Journeyman Posts: 80
From: Chesterfield, Mi, 48047
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 08-04-2005 06:55 PM
Ihave a 66 coupe with a 302 V8, what I want to do is improve the handling and smooth out the ride. I have also looked into the TCP front suspension kit, with the 1"lowering springs. Is this worth the grand or so it is going to cost or is there a better way to do it. Ed
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rmousir
Gearhead Posts: 1124
From: Amelia, Ohio
Registered: May 2003
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posted 08-04-2005 07:28 PM
I also have a '66 coupe with a 302. I went with a simple set up. Got the monte carlo bar, new shocks, perches, 602 grab a track coils up front. HUGE Difference. Going to do the new sway bar and the shelby drop later this year. Great results. Not bling bling like what you are looking for but for street/strip it seems to be pretty good.Richard.
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grego37
Gearhead Posts: 411
From: los angeles,CA,USA
Registered: May 2004
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posted 08-05-2005 10:37 AM
Raoadkill
In my opinion the best bang for your buck would be.
New coil springs around 540lbs or small block progressive rate, 620lbs too much for you goals.Bronze bushed roller spring perches, sway bar, export brace, sub frame conectors, good shocks, good tires if you're willing to spend more $, then upgrade to aftermarket upper/lower arms and the 'Shelby drop' (Global west or TCP)
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 3237
From: Stanton, Michigan, zip 48888
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 08-05-2005 04:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by grego37:
....install some of the "rollerized" spring perches, and good shocks. ...now if your going racing, go with the coil-overs. If you're not, Id use that money elsewhere.
I don't mean to hijack this thread,  BUT..
grego37, I'm looking to upgrade the front end of my drag-only '69FB; it's OE now except for 90/10 shocks and 6-cyl coil springs. What would you suggest I do - junk the 6cyl coils and 90/10s and go with some sort of coil over conversion? What do you think of the bronze bushing spring perches vs. "rollerized" types? What about front end alignments -- Is that something I can do myself or do I need to take it to my neighborhood alignment shop? (I've been advised to jack the frontend up about 1" before doing the alignment is done) and to also add a lot of + caster. What do you think about installing a bearing or heim joint at the strut rod ends? Thanks for your advice in advance!
Ryan  [This message has been edited by Ryan Wilke (edited 08-05-2005).]
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grego37
Gearhead Posts: 411
From: los angeles,CA,USA
Registered: May 2004
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posted 08-05-2005 05:00 PM
Ryan,
No opinion on the springs, you may want to post the same thread in the 'Ford Racing' forum, Alex should chime in with some good advice.The only perches I've held in my hand and used, are the bronze bushed style, I love them. One of the best mods. for any application, highly reccomended. I've only seen pictures of the sealed bearing style, I dont know of any pros/cons over the bronze bushed. I believe you can get the Bronze Bushed style from Alex (Moneymaker Racing) Again, you may want to post a thread regarding alignment for drag racing, I wouldn't trust some high school kid at the local Pep Boys with my car. Get some numbers from drag racers and find an old school alignment shop. On the strut rods, I keep hearing thats the way to go. There are a few companies making these aftermarket strut rods, Global West, TCP, Street or Track, and Alex/Mark of Moneymaker Racing just made their own version (I have yet to see a pic. of these, but they're out there, and are supposed to be the hot ticket). There may be other brands too.
good luck [This message has been edited by grego37 (edited 08-05-2005).]
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Ryan Wilke
Gearhead Posts: 3237
From: Stanton, Michigan, zip 48888
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 08-06-2005 09:37 AM
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bob6364
Gearhead Posts: 447
From: griswold,ct usa MCA#59447
Registered: Dec 2004
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posted 08-06-2005 11:46 PM
Add kyb shocks to your list,they will make your car perform alot better on the steet.
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Roadkill
Journeyman Posts: 80
From: Chesterfield, Mi, 48047
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 08-08-2005 06:31 PM
quote:
Originally posted by grego37:
Raoadkill
In my opinion the best bang for your buck would be.
New coil springs around 540lbs or small block progressive rate, 620lbs too much for you goals.Bronze bushed roller spring perches, sway bar, export brace, sub frame conectors, good shocks, good tires if you're willing to spend more $, then upgrade to aftermarket upper/lower arms and the 'Shelby drop' (Global west or TCP)
Hey Greg The shelby drop with TCP upper and lower control arms is in the budget alrerady have the subframe connectors welded in. So are the rollered spring perches that much better than the urethane ones and how thick front sway bar do you reccomend. Thanks for the info
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 08-08-2005 10:49 PM
1 1/8" is what I have, makes the stock one look like a twig.------------------
William
68 Coupe
289
Edelbrock 600
Performer Intake
Headers/X-pipe/Flowmaster 30's
C4
8"rear/2:79gears
"Restomod in Progress" Good friends are hard to find, even harder to leave, and impossible to forget.
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grego37
Gearhead Posts: 411
From: los angeles,CA,USA
Registered: May 2004
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posted 08-09-2005 10:21 AM
Me too, 1 1/8" front sway bar.
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sg69
Journeyman Posts: 4
From:
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 08-11-2005 07:36 PM
roller percher are a good idea, eberyone seems to think it smooths out the front-end. i don't know from experiance, but i can tell you they are easy to make, i've done 5 and its really simple if you can weld. as for the sway bar i also have a 620 and 1 1/8 sway bar and i think the combo is a little harsh for my daily driver. i also have edelbrock ias shocks. larger sway bars add to the front end stiffness. you could also consider a spherical bearing lower control arm. like the ones sold by a few companys.
my opinion on the tcp stuff, its over-price for most people and if your not doing the coil-over, a complete waste of time. it also worries me that you have adjustable upper control arms, you don't want adjustable for a driver car. if its a track car, cool. adjustable is not always a good thing. ------------------
69 grande
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