Hi,
Every car I own, I basically switch out the suspension & brakes. I like the better handelling and stopping power. My question is: what suspension setup is recommended for a '66 Chevelle Malibu? Big brake (disc conversion)?- I need to purchase new rims also, so the disc size to rim clearance shouldn't matter- just wheel to wheel well clearance after "dropping" it.
The brakes will be done later because they're sort of pricey for a guy right out of school..I just want to make sure on compatibility issues. i.e. would the F41 suspension setup from a 70s SS fit up good? I like a drop in height, as I don't like "sloppy" body roll and I prefer a lower stance. Thanks - I appreciate it.

Hi,
what suspension setup is recommended for a '66 Chevelle Malibu? Big brake (disc conversion)?- I need to purchase new rims also, so the disc size to rim clearance shouldn't matter- just wheel to wheel well clearance after "dropping" it.
The brakes will be done later because they're sort of pricey for a guy right out of school..I just want to make sure on compatibility issues. i.e. would the F41 suspension setup from a 70s SS fit up good? I like a drop in height, as I don't like "sloppy" body roll and I prefer a lower stance. Thanks - I appreciate it.

Mike...

IMO, IF you want to upgrade the suspension NOW, but wait for brakes later, then I'd use the factory spindles ( either "drum" or later factory "disc" setup).

For suspension upgrades, you could use one of SC&Cs packages to add adjustible upper control arms (no shims needed for alignment) and a tall upper ball joint (or step up to a taller lower balljoint too). These packages will improve the geometry and therefore the handling without the steering "problems" often associated with B-body spindle swaps. Using the tall lower ball joint will lower the car. The tall upper joint/arm doens't lower the can, but is where the handling improves. You can add lowered springs, or cut your own to get just the ride height you want. Or step up to an adjustible setup (alot of guys here seem to use circle track parts to adjust spring rates and ride heights)...

Using the stock spindles will allow you to use stock brakes for now, and then upgrade to Big Brakes once the funds are available. many companies offer brackets to bolt on Big Brakes.

I personally used a Kore3 kit to add C5 Corvette brakes to my '66 Chevelle... A true bolt-on, and I didn't even need to take the spindles off the car (like you, I ran stock brakes until I could afford the bigger brakes)... Its been a few years, but the BIG front brakes were about $750, which really wasn't bad compared to "stock-size" conversion kits...

On my '66, I also ran 275/40-17 on 17X9.5 wheels at all 4 corners, 6.0" BS on the front, and 5.5" BS on the rear with a stock '66 rearend (6.0 BS worked on the rear, but the tires look too far "inside" to me)... Not too low, with Hotchkis 1" lowering springs (pictures in my signature), but it was much lower a few years prior (no problems with wheel well clearance with 265 and 295 tires, but the headers got pretty banged up)...


IIRC, the factory F40/F41 suspension was mainly different springs and shocks and sway bars... Same brakes as regular "Chevelles", So aftermarket performance springs/shocks/swaybars would probably be better than the stock stuff (many companies actually "build" packages that work fairly well)...