Suspension Upgrade Ideas

[68HulkCharger]

So I'm looking to upgrade my suspension and I'm hoping for some ideas on the best components to change. Here are my initial thoughts:

Bilstein Shocks
Hotchkis Sway Bars Front and Rear
Hotchkis Subframe Connectors
PST Torsion Bars

Not sure if its worth putting new leafs on or not.

 

[davek]

whats the reasons for upgrades ? Touring,dragging or cruising.

 

[Yeahrightgreer]

So I'm looking to upgrade my suspension and I'm hoping for some ideas on the best components to change. Here are my initial thoughts:

Bilstein Shocks
Hotchkis Sway Bars Front and Rear
Hotchkis Subframe Connectors
PST Torsion Bars

Not sure if its worth putting new leafs on or not.

As already said - we must know your final vision for the car. Is it racing?

 

[Hilljack68]

I haven't used any Hotchkis upgrades, but I did upgrade to PST torsion bars (1.03"). I wanted to stiffen things up a little in the front end. I also upgraded to polyurethane bushings, upper and lower ball joints, etc.
In the back, I replaced all the leaf spring bushings, and had the springs re-arched. I also swapped out those goofy air shocks for a set of KYB excel gas shocks. I'm happy with the set-up so far.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Unless you spend allot of time looking at your suspension parts rather than Hotchkiss sway bars consider Hellwig bars... Same design same effect, less than half the cost....

Check the prices through SD Truck Springs...

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/sway..._JquMh9j5o6hMGUAcK-RWzYjVK3XLoLBoCt5gQAvD_BwE

I Love my Bilstien shocks...

Might look at US Car Tool subframe connectors...

 

[68HulkCharger]

I plan on mostly cruising with some spirited driving.

 

[68HulkCharger]

Unless you spend allot of time looking at your suspension parts rather than Hotchkiss sway bars consider Hellwig bars... Same design same effect, less than half the cost....

Check the prices through SD Truck Springs...

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/sway..._JquMh9j5o6hMGUAcK-RWzYjVK3XLoLBoCt5gQAvD_BwE

I Love my Bilstien shocks...

Might look at US Car Tool subframe connectors...

Thanks. I’ll take a look at those other brands.

 

[Commando66]

On my 67 Belvedere, I went with a Hellwig 1 3/8” hollow sway bar, Firm Feel 1” torsion bars, ESPO HD leafs and Hotchkis/Fox shocks. Here are the reasons why I chose the mish-mash of parts. Originally I ordered a Hotchkis sway bar but when it showed up, the wrong bar was packaged inside. Also, their frame brackets and end link brackets require welding. I saw that AndyF liked the Hellwig mounting brackets so that was enough of a recommendation for me. The Hellwig kit is very nice. The Firm Feel bars had a wheel rate of under 200in/lbs so it still rides nice. The Hotchkis shocks I got for a very good price from FABO. All of this replaced pretty low mileage small block suspension parts and they made a huge difference. I also added a Dr Diff disc brake kit. Next will be a Firm Feel 20:1 manual steering box.

 

[68HulkCharger]

I haven't used any Hotchkis upgrades, but I did upgrade to PST torsion bars (1.03"). I wanted to stiffen things up a little in the front end. I also upgraded to polyurethane bushings, upper and lower ball joints, etc.
In the back, I replaced all the leaf spring bushings, and had

On my 67 Belvedere, I went with a Hellwig 1 3/8” hollow sway bar, Firm Feel 1” torsion bars, ESPO HD leafs and Hotchkis/Fox shocks. Here are the reasons why I chose the mish-mash of parts. Originally I ordered a Hotchkis sway bar but when it showed up, the wrong bar was packaged inside. Also, their frame brackets and end link brackets require welding. I saw that AndyF liked the Hellwig mounting brackets so that was enough of a recommendation for me. The Hellwig kit is very nice. The Firm Feel bars had a wheel rate of under 200in/lbs so it still rides nice. The Hotchkis shocks I got for a very good price from FABO. All of this replaced pretty low mileage small block suspension parts and they made a huge difference. I also added a Dr Diff disc brake kit. Next will be a Firm Feel 20:1 manual steering box.

Wow. Great info. Thanks much

 

[myk r sanchez]

Just buy the entire Hotchkis TVS system for the car. Dial in -.5* of camber, +6* of caster, a little toe in and you'll be amazed at how well these land yachts can handle. I'm talking almost ZERO body lean in hard turns and a level of driving confidence you have to feel to believe. I can only imagine how much better my car would feel with the borgeson box, boxed LCA's, torque boxes, etc...

 

[68HulkCharger]

Just buy the entire Hotchkis TVS system for the car. Dial in -.5* of camber, +6* of caster, a little toe in and you'll be amazed at how well these land yachts can handle. I'm talking almost ZERO body lean in hard turns and a level of driving confidence you have to feel to believe. I can only imagine how much better my car would feel with the borgeson box, boxed LCA's, torque boxes, etc...

That is something I was considering too but I wasn’t sure I needed that extensive of a kit.

 

[hunt2elk]

Some good recommendations above. Couple other things that I have been doing is to add lower control arm stiffening plates from PST, 11/16" C-body tie rod ends, solid tie rod adjusters, and Firm Feel K-frame stiffening kit.