Suspension upgrades

by BK-75 Tue Oct 23, 2012 1:21 am

I’m looking to do a few upgrades over the winter:

New coil Springs- Belltech 2 inch lowering springs all around.

Bilstein shocks (Have these on both daily drivers, a must have)

New steering box - 12:1 quick ratio

Any thoughts on the Belltech lowering springs, anyone use them or have any good recommendations?

Eventually:

Upgrade the front sway bar and add a rear bar (No rear bar currently, nor the holes to mount them) Upgraded rear trailing arms, new bushings & front end rebuild. Upgraded 17inch wheel/ tire package then move toward bigger brakes.

As you can tell I want this thing to handle, any input is appreciated!

by pila Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:34 am

The quick ratio steering box is a good idea. I put one in my '74. Maybe someone here can make a template of the hole locations for a rear bar., for you to add mounting holes in yours.

Bill

by BlackChevelleSS Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:49 am

more thoughts on the box, quicker ratio helps alot but you also want to look for Torsion bar size which helps with the road feel and return back to center, Then also the spring and piston inside the PS pump will make alot of difference in how easy it is to turn.

You want the largest torsion bar you can get, im still working on figuring out how to fix the pump.

You should also upgrade to 1-1/4 front sway bar, boxed or tubular rear lowers and a 1" rear sway bar. It will keep the car flat around the corners.

by Brainstain Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:12 pm

I got my boxed rear lowers with polyurethane bushings from Spohn. They are super nice and have sway bar holes built into them.

by bigredlaguna Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:35 pm

Here is an article about how to change the power assist at the pump. Very simple, just need to be careful.

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/powersteering.html

by bigredlaguna Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:50 pm

Keep in mind that the link talks about INCREASING pressure and volume. All you really need to do is add shims to decrease the pressure.

by BK-75 Thu Oct 25, 2012 1:39 am

bigredlaguna wrote:Keep in mind that the link talks about INCREASING pressure and volume. All you really need to do is add shims to decrease the pressure.

So, decreasing the pressure will actually give it that firm heavy feel?

by Joe73 Thu Oct 25, 2012 6:38 am

An 80's monte SS steering box is quick ratio. If I remember correctly, I put on in my buddys 72 cutlass. And there was a "washer" that we had to put in the end of the pressure line, I believe to increase the pressure of the pump. Just going from memory here, but the monte box was a bolt in. His steering felt real "nice and responsive" after that bolt in.

by bigredlaguna Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:21 am

BK-75 wrote:
bigredlaguna wrote:Keep in mind that the link talks about INCREASING pressure and volume. All you really need to do is add shims to decrease the pressure.

So, decreasing the pressure will actually give it that firm heavy feel?

Yes.

by bigredlaguna Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:23 am

Joe73, that "washer" was probably an adapter that converted the gearbox's O-ring fitting to a flare fitting so he could use his original lines.

by Joe73 Thu Oct 25, 2012 11:35 am

bigredlaguna wrote:Joe73, that "washer" was probably an adapter that converted the gearbox's O-ring fitting to a flare fitting so he could use his original lines.

Possibly so, but I think that the monte box needed more pressure so the "adaptor" had a smaller hole to increase pressure. Just going from memory hear, but it was a real easy bolt in upgrade.

If anyone is thinking of putting a quick ratio box in there car, just search monte SS steering box on google. Tons of info regarding the swap.

I found this for a quick read with good info. http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0901_gm_steering_box_upgrade/viewall.html

My chevelle didnt come with power steering and I like it that way. But still a nice up grade.

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