[TX66SS]

February 8th, I put in an online order for about $800 worth of suspension goodies for the Chevelle. I had ordered a complete new axle setup and decided I might as well do any rear suspension upgrades while I had it all apart.

A while goes by and I don't hear anything from Global West. On March 1st, I receive an email from Charlie Pulvers with Global West saying that my parts would be shipped in 10-14 days as they just needed to be powder coated.

Many more weeks pass. I try calling with very limited success. Usually ends with a voicemail that is never returned.

I received a couple more promises of 10-14 days. The most recent 14 day window ended today. Charlie will not respond to my emails. I can't get anyone other than their secretary on the phone.

One of two things is happening here:
1) They are having supply side issues and it will take longer than expected to get my order. Fine, but keep me in the loop!! Instead, they're jerking me around so they don't lose an order.
2) They are completely disorganized.

I'm cancelling my order (if I can even get a hold of someone) and buying parts elsewhere. This is disappointing as I had planned to use their complete front setup as well (I think it was about $6K but it's the only one I know of that actually claims to address the flaws in the OEM design). Not when this is the way customers are handled.

 

[Jasons 69 Chevelle]

February 8th, I put in an online order for about $800 worth of suspension goodies for the Chevelle. I had ordered a complete new axle setup and decided I might as well do any rear suspension upgrades while I had it all apart.

A while goes by and I don't hear anything from Global West. On March 1st, I receive an email from Charlie Pulvers with Global West saying that my parts would be shipped in 10-14 days as they just needed to be powder coated.

Many more weeks pass. I try calling with very limited success. Usually ends with a voicemail that is never returned.

I received a couple more promises of 10-14 days. The most recent 14 day window ended today. Charlie will not respond to my emails. I can't get anyone other than their secretary on the phone.

One of two things is happening here:
1) They are having supply side issues and it will take longer than expected to get my order. Fine, but keep me in the loop!! Instead, they're jerking me around so they don't lose an order.
2) They are completely disorganized.

I'm cancelling my order (if I can even get a hold of someone) and buying parts elsewhere. This is disappointing as I had planned to use their complete front setup as well (I think it was about $6K but it's the only one I know of that actually claims to address the flaws in the OEM design). Not when this is the way customers are handled.

Seems everyone is running behind. I’d be concerned after they promised 10-14 days without a update. Fraud report the credit card.

 

[77 cruiser]

I ordered a custom gauge pod for my truck just before Thanksgiving, possibly being shipped this come Tues.

 

[TX66SS]

Seems everyone is running behind. I’d be concerned after they promised 10-14 days without a update. Fraud report the credit card.

I don't think they've charged me yet but I need to verify that. When I got on them a month ago or so, they actually did send one small part (the frame reinforcements, the cheapest part of the order). I won't want these now as I'd rather have all matching suspension parts.
I wonder if they might be on their way out of business?

 

[72mojave]

I have steering arms on order from them. I called them to order and at the time they said they needed to do the tapers in the sets they had in the production line before they could ship, and that it would take a couple weeks. Well, I didn't hear back so I called last week and was put in touch with Charlie. He said they are having supply issues and are looking for a source outside California. He couldn't give me a time frame, only that they would call about a week before they ship to let me know they're on the way. I don't know why they originally told me they just needed to do tapers and now say they have supply issues, but I would not be surprised if the problem really is supply issues.

I'm only waiting on these to finish the front end, so I'll probably have to use the stock arms and install the new ones next season. Plus another alignment.

 

[Kirk's67SS]

UMI Perf

 

[Retnuh22]

I ordered rear coil over brackets for the chevelle last Tuesday and will pick them up tomorrow. Had to be made and powder coated.

 

[ChevelleFan70]

I dont think its just Global West -- my engine builder was saying how tough it is right now getting anything made from quality steel.

 

[UMI Tech]

UMI Perf

Thanks for the shout out Greg.

We are hovering at around 5 weeks to ship new orders. Our factory is actually at 140% capacity and we are busier than ever. We bought ahead on materials and currently have minimal issues (other than the backlog). We are starting to see trickle down problems with rod ends, ball joints and even fasteners but so far no big issues. We are doing our best to stay ahead of the pandemic.

 

[TX66SS]

Thanks for the shout out Greg.

We are hovering at around 5 weeks to ship new orders. Our factory is actually at 140% capacity and we are busier than ever. We bought ahead on materials and currently have minimal issues (other than the backlog). We are starting to see trickle down problems with rod ends, ball joints and even fasteners but so far no big issues. We are doing our best to stay ahead of the pandemic.

I was looking at some of UMIs stuff. It looks like your some of your front suspension packages may correct the caster issue with the A bodies. I wish I'd started with you guys. For now I'll be putting things back together with original parts.

Do you have a recommendation for a complete car package for my vehicle? Street driven but not daily. Occasional cross country trip that may end up in the mountains. Looking for the best balance of handling and ride quality.

 

[UMI Tech]

I was looking at some of UMIs stuff. It looks like your some of your front suspension packages may correct the caster issue with the A bodies. I wish I'd started with you guys. For now I'll be putting things back together with original parts.

Do you have a recommendation for a complete car package for my vehicle? Street driven but not daily. Occasional cross country trip that may end up in the mountains. Looking for the best balance of handling and ride quality.

Our Stage 2 kit actually has a "Power Tour Package" marketing focus. We drove our '65 Cutlass on Hot Rod Power Tour Long Haul and then also from PA to MI to TX on the Good Guys Hall of Fame Tour. Then we put four guys in it and hauled around Pittsburgh International Raceway on the road course.

Power Tour Package

UMI '65 Cutlass

 

[Derek69SS]

This is disappointing as I had planned to use their complete front setup as well (I think it was about $6K but it's the only one I know of that actually claims to address the flaws in the OEM design).

Lots of suspension systems fix the OEM flaws. Biggest thing is the camber curve, which can be done with taller spindles, or tall balljoints.

UMI's kits use tall balljoints.

I won't want these now as I'd rather have all matching suspension parts.

Functionally, those don't matter who makes them. They all do the same thing. Any "mismatch" would only be cosmetic.

 

[TX66SS]

After reading more about the UPI stuff, I like this kit. 1964-1967 GM A-Body Handling Package- Stage 4 - UMI Performance Inc.
Not cheap but quite a bit cheaper than what I was looking at with Global West.

I'll have to wait to order to make sure it's compatible with the Wilwood front disc kit I have sitting here waiting to be installed. I'm sure it will be fine since the UMI kit doesn't come with spindles. The car already has a front disc conversion and I don't know what all parts were changed. It looks like OEM stuff. Just need to dig in to the front suspension and see what I have.

For now, my cross country trip will be on stock suspension and possibly with the Wilwood front discs that will match the Wilwoods that are on the new axle from Spraker Racing sitting here in a crate waiting to be installed.

 

[Jasons 69 Chevelle]

After reading more about the UPI stuff, I like this kit. 1964-1967 GM A-Body Handling Package- Stage 4 - UMI Performance Inc.
Not cheap but quite a bit cheaper than what I was looking at with Global West.

I'll have to wait to order to make sure it's compatible with the Wilwood front disc kit I have sitting here waiting to be installed. I'm sure it will be fine since the UMI kit doesn't come with spindles. The car already has a front disc conversion and I don't know what all parts were changed. It looks like OEM stuff. Just need to dig in to the front suspension and see what I have.

For now, my cross country trip will be on stock suspension and possibly with the Wilwood front discs that will match the Wilwoods that are on the new axle from Spraker Racing sitting here in a crate waiting to be installed.

Can’t go wrong with UMI everything I’ve purchased from them has been top quality. Also the UMI components should work with the Wilwood brakes. Spindles are mounted the upper and lower control arms. If the spindles stay the same the brakes would as well. Rear brakes definitely will work.

 

[UMI Tech]

Thanks Jason.

Correct on the above. Our kits generally work well with Wilwood, Baer, etc. as they are designed to work with stock spindles or aftermarket "stock location" spindles.

I'm always happy to discuss compatibility and make changes to the kit as necessary to ensure fitment.

[email protected]

 

[TX66SS]

Thanks for all the help. I talked to UMI this morning and ordered their Stage 2.5 kit 1964-1967 GM A-Body Handling Package Stage 2.5 Coilovers - UMI Performance Inc. with the following upgrades:
Bearing bottom for front springs
Front frame brace
Rear shock support brace
Chassis mounted swaybar
Adjustable rear upper control arms

The only thing left to figure out handling wise is what steering box to use. The factory box will be the weak link in this system due to all of the "slop".