I am getting ready to start on the suspension on my 68 Malibu. I know these questions get old but I have searched this forum, and pro touring.com for the last several days from day to night.

I plan on getting the SC&C stage 2 kit for the front. I am planning on using the stock LCA's with new bushings. For the rear I plan on UMI adjustable uppers and there lowers as well. For brakes I am going to use the front and rear disc kit from Ground UP.

The question I have is ride height. I want it about 2 inches lower in the front and 3 in the rear. I plan to use springs and decent shocks not coil overs. I am not sure what springs and shocks will get me there. Oh ya it has a big block in it. This car will just be a weekend cruiser with a few runs up windy country roads.

Sorry for the long post and any help would be great.

Since you are making a big commitment, I would go ahead and get the new lower control arms from SC&C. Probably more of a safety issue, these lowers are 40 years old and several of the guys have had failures recently. You can also adjust your ride height with the new lowers by purchasing the ride spacer kit. Nice product, really well designed and constructed.

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Thanks, I will have to look into adding them. Several people have said in other threads that they are not necessary for a cruiser. But if it’s a safety thing I will definitely reconsider

just box the lowers around the ball joint area and you are set to go.

let me see if i can find my suspension build pics.. i used stock a arms, but its slammed 3/3..

aaron

edit.. the 2nd line towards the end has better outside pics..

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250988

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=300280

Thanks Aaron,
Your car looks great. I think mine will be used pretty much along the same lines as yours. I will look into boxing the lowers. I noticed in your build thread that the rear of the car ended up lower than you thought it would be. Could you use the adjusters in the rear like you did in the front?

Also in your second thread you mentioned the sway bars you wanted to add in the future for better weight transfer. Did you get them or what are you planning to use? I haven't really looked into them yet. But want to get new front and rears. Also what shocks would you recommend.

The only other thing I am concerned with is the header clearance when I lower it. I will have to see tonight when I get home what the clearance is now as it sits.

Thanks Aaron,
Your car looks great. I think mine will be used pretty much along the same lines as yours. I will look into boxing the lowers. I noticed in your build thread that the rear of the car ended up lower than you thought it would be. Could you use the adjusters in the rear like you did in the front?

Also in your second thread you mentioned the sway bars you wanted to add in the future for better weight transfer. Did you get them or what are you planning to use? I haven't really looked into them yet. But want to get new front and rears. Also what shocks would you recommend.

The only other thing I am concerned with is the header clearance when I lower it. I will have to see tonight when I get home what the clearance is now as it sits.

thanks man.

yeah it was lower than i thought, but i love it the way it sits. im trying to get photbucket to load so i can show some other pics.. or just go to the link in my sig and click on chevelle on the left and see some more.
i wouldnt use adjusters in the rear. i love the way it looks and rides the way it is.

i never got any bars. i was too busy driving it ( i put 6-7k miles on it from may to nov) i would call mark at SC&C to find out what bars to get. they are the LAST things you want ti pick up.

i have the hotchkis on the front (revalved bilsteins), they are nice. i have stock height shocks in the rear, and they need to go, as they are fully compressed.

what headers do you have?
i have NEVER once scraped on anything. i have dynomax long tube headers on it with xpipe, headers are inline with my oil pan, which is above the front xmember.

clearance is about 3.5" to the xmember. or the height of a soda can.

aaron

I got it on the trailer right now to go get the vin inspected by the DMV in the morning. I will measure it. They are full length Hookers. I will try and get some pictures of it tomorrow. I want to see what you guys think. See if I got a good deal or not.

What about the brakes I am looking at? I think they will be enough but anything has got to be better than the worn out drums.

sorry what brakes are you looking at?
you can do C5 front and LS1 fbody rears that will work great. jut do a search, a lot of great info on here about them.

im still running 4 wheel manual drums.. haha

aaron

I was just looking at the 4 wheel discs from Ground Up. I think they are like 11 or 12 inch. Nothing special but gotta be better then what I got now. Mine are locking when and if they work at all.

I also crawled under it tonight and measured to the bottom of the headers. I have about five and a half inches. I may have to swap them out with some mid length when I lower it.