I'd like to have a lot of input on this one, guys! What's the best rear suspension set up for a 12 bolt in a 66 Chevelle? I want the car to launch hard and still handle well on the street. I'm throwing almost 600hp to the rearend in my 66 Malibu and I want it to launch well and stay planted. I was thinking about starting off with Moser 12 bolt, then some adjustable upper control arms. Maybe Edelbrock. Then a set of boxed lower control arms. Then a stock or maybe ADDCO sway bar. Then a set of SSM lift bars. Can I still use the stock springs? What about some 3 way adjustable shocks? Then some 18" wheels with 11" wide Nitto Drags. I am also considering bolting on some rear disc brakes in a year or 2. What do you guys think about that? I want to know what hooks up the best.

66 600hp Malibu
Dart Pro 1's

2 wrongs don't make a right but 3 lefts do!

Just wanted to let you know that the SSM Lift bars replace your lower control arms.

I like the 12 bolt idea,but go with the hotchkis adjustable rear kit.That is the way to go.And it just so happens I sell hotchkis suspension and I'm running a christmas special. :D But the reason I am selling hotchkis is I think it is alot better and cheaper than edelbrock,I looked into edelbrock before I went with hotchkis and for the price there is no comparing.They way I look at it is if you want intakes and carbs go with ebelbrock,thats what they specialize in,if you want suspension parts go with hotchkis thats all they make,thats why it is the best.IMO.And when you get ready to buy let me know. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Boxed lower arms with a sway bar, No-hop bars and adjustable uppers.

"4 speed bars" are a must for track duty...

One bolt of the Hotchkis uppers has to be removed to adjust, very cumbersome on/off on/off etc, (unless they have improved their design??) Others such as Metco, the new Edelbrocks and Dick Miller can be adjusted while bolted in.

18" wheels will not give you enogh sidewall to do anything at the track, so just give that up right there if you want any chance of traction.

Standard gas shocks for the rear... 3-ways do not have enough adjustment to work and are a waste of money. Use the right upper to pre-load the rear for launch or use an air bag in the right rear.

forget about whatever HP #'s you are claiming, it is Torque you need to be worried about when it comes to hooking a car. HP #'s are meaningless. my 4000lb car went 11.30's with 525 HP +/-.

Rear Disc brakes IMO are only good for helping to retain an axle if it breaks, the Good old General's (GM) brakes haven't failed you yet, why mess with it?. Put the money into your converter, a roll cage, or aftermarket axles and c-clip eliminator kit which you must have if you have 600 HP which should put you in the high 10's in ET.

All you need are stock springs...so called "trick" springs, do exactly that, they Trick you into thinking you need them.

If you end up buying the MOser, it is already set up with raised mounting points for the upper control arms, this will negate the need for SSM's, adjustable uppers, and no-hop bars. the IC is relocated enough just as the lower mounting holes are for the better quality no-hops out there.

If you buy the 4 speed bars, search around for some stock ones, the Hotchkiss are twice the cost of the stock ones you can find probably from a TC member or on Ebay.

Stock sway bar is all you need if you intend on balancing the car between a canyon carver and a street/strip ride. They are available used for $50 to $70 on Ebay or available New from GM still for about $100, don't be fooled by the so-called NOS sellers on Ebay, they are not NOS they are NNS (New New Stock).

Everything I have said here is Not based on hearsay or magazine articles but from Actual Experience and First hand knowledge

Good Luck

Everything I have said here is Not based on hearsay or magazine articles but from Actual Experience and First hand knowledge Just watch Tom's launch... proof he knows what he's talking about.

http://www.boomspeed.com/mc71454/Gene_Tom_October11_03.wmv

"4 speed bars" are a must for track duty...Yes, BUT they are a good idea even for the street (especially with the better tires available)...


If you buy the 4 speed bars, search around for some stock onesI disagree here, but only because the stock bars are rather flimsy (thin "C" shaped) and they are 36+ year-old metal (metal fatigue). I have had many sets that were cracked around the bolt holes, and myself have only used street tires (not much traction). The stokers are better than nothing, but IMO, I would get a nice aftermarket (Hotchkis or Edelbrock) set of the "braces" to help transfer the stresses off the upper crossmember...

mc71454, well put and i agree with you completely. graemlins/beers.gif
1966..., i have had some broken ones too, i have welded them back up and have been fine. they work great as long as they are not broke. but point taken

Here is my opinion...Get some Global West lowers with Del-a-lum axle side and Spherical frame side. Get the Edelbrock uppers. Some no-hop bars if you need to move the IC of the suspension rearward. The reason I say to use these components is because what you are after is the free-est moving suspension you can get. This allows the suspension to react quicker and not bind. Boxed lowers cause more binding than stock units. The spherical bushing on one end alleviates this problem. With 600HP I would say you probably want to go with the disc brakes. Rear drums only will probably suffice, but so many people focus on going fast and don't even think about the fact that they have to stop that momentum. For starters you can go with a simple 3-way adjustable shock. For handling you probably want a 50/50 shock, but for drag you would want to be able to adjust rebound and compression seperately. For the sway-bar I really don't have a comment. Sizing is important for neutral handling or slight understeer (with 600HP you can easily throttle oversteer). The best sway-bar would be one that is mounted to the frame, has links that allow the suspension to twist, and is adjustable to some degree. Tires are really your pick from experience. I find that www.tirerack.com (http://www.tirerack.com) really has great information.

Again, this is just my opinion that comes from experience and vehicle design classes. I guarantee you that others will differ on the matter. Do what you will with the information.

1966, I have never seen them broken, but that of course doesn't mean they don't and if you have seen them, Good point!...I will be removing and checking mine as part of "winter lookover" again this year...so far 3 times checked and not broken, but hey maybe Santa will bring me some stiffer ones this year.. :D

Dont' fool around with anything butthis one. (http://www.hotrodstohell.net/truckarm/truckarm_index.htm) if you want the best.

Crowenate, how do I get a hold of you when I'm ready to purchase the Hotchkiss rear kit? I have also heard lots of guys on here talk about the SSM lift bars, do you believe that the Hotchkiss kit is better than the SSM's? Also, I have seen some guys in the Super Chevy magazine using the big wheels (18", 17"), what size do you recommend? I currently have 15 x 8 on it now. But I wanted to go a little bigger for appearance and handling reasons. But I also don't want to suffer on the track. The car is primarily a street car but I do plan on some track time every summer. I still need to get the car on the dyno to see how much torque it's putting out. Thanks guys!! Your replies have really helped me out!!

66 600hp Malibu
Dart Pro 1's

2 wrongs don't make a right but 3 lefts do!!

Originally posted by 70GS455:
Dont' fool around with anything butthis one. (http://www.hotrodstohell.net/truckarm/truckarm_index.htm) if you want the best. I run the HTH setup in my car and couldn't be happier with it.

?????

Originally posted by gchandler:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by 70GS455:
Dont' fool around with anything butthis one. (http://www.hotrodstohell.net/truckarm/truckarm_index.htm) if you want the best. I run the HTH setup in my car and couldn't be happier with it. </font>[/QUOTE]i realy really reallly like that graemlins/thumbsup.gif