Have a 70 Chevelle. Doing the frame off restore right now. I will have the frame from the body shop next week. I will be running an aluminum LS2 with a tremec TKO.

Want to lower the car 1" or so, what springs?

Which front end steering components should I use?

I have some energy poly bushing for the front that I never installed, should I go rubber or use what I have?

I have boxed my stock lower arms and installed poly bushings in the back. (have run it this way for 5 years and it was an upgrade over the rotten rubber ones.

I plan to put rubber bushings in the rear end housing to avoid the "binding" The upper arms are not boxed.

What are your suggestions. I am looking to go as cheap as I can for stuff that is good. Just want some input.

I would suggest rubber bushings in front. I will be running circle track springs in front with adjusters to get the height right where i want it. You can get the Hotchkis springs to lower it about 1". It's a good cheap setup i think. If you really want to upgrade, go with the SC&C front control arms, but they're not cheap.

Rubber.

1. The front end is strictly a hinge; there's no binding no matter what bushing material you use. This is not true on the rear axle.

2. Poly lasts longer than rubber.

3. Poly is easier for a D-I-Y to install--no press or special tools needed. A torch will remove the old rubber; sandpaper or emery cloth takes out the residue, and you can push the new poly bushings back in by hand.

4. Poly bushings make it easier to re-install the suspension because there's no need to have the vehicle at normal ride height before torquing the bolts that secure the bushings. You can torque with the suspension in any convenient position. Rubber bushings MUST be at normal ride height before torquing.

5. The poly bushings tend to be firmer; this is good for handling although some folks snivel about "harshness" which is a non-issue for me--I've got no complaints with any of the poly bushing installations I've done. ('68 El Camino, '72 Skylark, '75 Nova, '66 Toronado)

I won't install rubber bushings in a hinge joint if I can get Poly.