Im doing a frame off on my chevelle and wanted to know about what are the benifits of using aftermarket items instead of the orginal. After looking around i think that hotchkins is the best but i dont understand what the items offer in suspension improvement so can anyone tell me about what they will offer me so far as there front & Rear sway bar kit, Coil Springs, Front Upper & lower Control Arms and most important the rear Control Arms. Because in the rear control arms all i see is that look like just metal square tubes with urathane bushing & i already have a hyperflex kit with the bushings to go in my stock rear arms and i just don't see what there rear control arms offer in suspension improvment.

Thank you.

These guys will give you an out standing product for less than Hotchkis. I bought everything for my Chevelle from them and I'm just amazed at the quality of build...seriously...plus they'll powdercoat it whatever color you want. :cool:
http://www.bmrfabrication.com

http://www.clubcamaro.com/images/chevelle/images/DSC03342.jpg

The aftermarket stuff is bigger, and that's what you want for cornering is larger sway bars. I don't know the reference, but the fronts & rears are kind of a set.

Lowering springs (I did the 1") improve handling as well by moving the whole car down 1".

Rear arms are fine as stock items unless you're into drag racing. Setting up your suspension for cornering may not be the best for drag racing and vice-versa. Stock should be fine if you're not into serious straight-line hookups.

I went with polygraphite bushings all around and like them a lot. Not rough by any means. Again, some differing opinions on what to use in the rear, but I haven't had any trouble on any of my cars with them. Polyurethane versions are stiffer than stock rubber versions.

Hope that helps a little, good luck!

Im just going to be using it for street driving and want a good ride and also what about the front control arms what will they offer me

If you went aftermarket on the front arms you would be going tubular. It won't look stock if you go tubular, but they are lighter and supposed to be stronger in some respects. I boxed my lower fronts for extra strength as I wanted the stock look.

The other advantage of going aftermarket on the front is the ability to get better settings on caster/camber, etc. for better handling. They are typically engineered for use with drop spindles, which will also help.

Personally, I love the ride and handling now that I've done the 1" drop springs and Hotchkis sway bars. Basically it comes down to the look you want and then how you want to get there.

what do you mean by you boxed you lower front for extra strength. Also i do not have drop spindles. Which i took some spindles off a 68 corvette that im going to put on the car. But im going to use the hotchins coil spings i bought a set of morosso spings from jegs be im going to sell them.

Go here to understand boxing lower arms

http://www.einstyn.com/

Whoops, I meant reinforcing the front A arms

What Herb said re: boxing lower fronts - the front arms tend to break by the ball joint, and boxing them with FO_FDYFO's kit strengthen thems a lot. Takes some massaging of the pieces and you have to get them welded on, but it works well and looks stock when done.

Below are before/after photos:
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Xtreme70SS396/frontcontrolarmsbefore.JPG
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Xtreme70SS396/frontcontrolarmsafter.JPG