The Chevelle I just bought has a cushy ride and sits too high for me. I also want to put a larger set of wheel/tires on it for better ride and performance. I am not looking for super wide out back, but a meaty look. Any suggestions for somewhat low cost suspension kit and wheel/tire combo?

It currently has air shocks out back and stock springs/shocks up front - very cushy!

thanks

What year is the car? That will be important for tire width/backspace info :)

Are you planning a complete suspension rebuild? What is your budget?

Sorry about that - thought my signature was filled out. I have a '72
2-door Chevelle that originally came with a 307. I am more looking for better drivability (no road racer or anything) and about a 2" drop all around. As for Budget - low, but I do have a little to spend.

Thanks

OK, I would start with this for a low-budget great performing mild street setup:

Good shocks all around, you get what you pay for. Koni, Billstein, Edelbrock, QA1, Alston VariShock, etc are great shocks. Avoid KYB, and anything you can get off the shelf at the parts-stores.

Springs from www.coilsprings.com 550lb/in front / 135lb/in rear, you specify the height.

Sway-bars: 1-1/8" front sway bar from 2nd gen Camaro/Firebird and OEM Chevelle F41 7/8" rear bar (requires boxing the stock lowers)

Bushings: Polyurethane in front, and Rubber in the rear

If you can fit it in the budget, I strongly recommend the Stage I or Stage II package from SC&C http://www.scandc.com/suspensions.htm

What does boxing the stock lowers mean? And by ordering springs for a 2" lower ride heght than stock, I should get the height I want - and if I use the spring rate you mentioned, I get rid of the cushy feeling, right?

By the way, nice 66 wagon. And the 69 Malibu - what suspension/wheels/tires are on that? That is exactly the height I want

btt

Sorry I missed your reply :clonk:

Rear lower control arms are an open channel, and are pretty flimsy. That flimsiness is good for articulation (cornering), but bad for the loads placed on them during hard accelleration. '69-72 Chevelles were available with reinforced "boxed" lower control arms when the F41 "Special Performance Suspension" package was ordered. Although I can't find a link, I know the parts places like Ground-Up sell the F41 reinforcements that you weld onto the standard control arms.

With the spring rates and sway-bar sizes I mentioned, the car will still ride very well, and corner like a new car. Again, I strongly recommend SC&Cs Stage II package.

The pic of my '69 Malibu in my sig is old, so it sits differently now. At that time, the rear was stock original springs, and the front was original springs with 1.5 coils cut off. The stance wasn't bad, but the handling was horrible... springs were way too soft. Now, everything is different, and it's not finished yet. :clonk:Wheels were 15x8 Torq-Thrust IIs with 3-3/4" Backspace (not enough - should be 4.25" B.S. minimum for an 8" wheel - had some slight rubbing) with 235/60 and 255/60 rubber.