Is It Worth The Money?

[82oldskid]

So, I'm FINALLY getting to build my 82 Cutlass. In recent weeks, I've dumped off most of my other projects, and am putting the cash towards building up my new chassis for the car. Now, all along, I've just been intending to use the Hotchkis TVS Kit... but, then I've recently noticed that I could just about put that same kit together using other brands, and save a good portion of the money that I would have spent on the Hotchkis Kit. I'm just curious what you guys think... Is the Hotchkis TVS Kit really worth the money? Or should I just piece it together?

I'm not trying to build a racer, but then again, I want it to handle better. It's not equipped with the F41 suspension either, so, anything is better at this point... figure this, its almost 30 years old, and most of its original. Need to update!

Anyway, thoughts and suggestions please? Thanks much!

 

[megaladon6]

i'd try this first, get lowering springs from eibach or SPC (lower rate, but it works better than the real hard/harsh hotchkis), late model F-41 braces and sway bars with poly bushings, delrin front LCA bushings, solid rear arms with rubber bushings, HPS-1000 bilstein shocks (yes they are the hotchkis spec'd ones) and a really good alignment. (.05 toe in, -.5 camber, 5 DS caster and 7 PS) and see what you think.
then go to these guys http://scandc.com/old/products.htm
really your best bet is to talk to marcus at SC&C first. do a search on here and other sites about them, and especially marcus on g-bodys
i've talked with a few people who did NOT like the TVS kit, and no one who did like it. don't get me wrong, it will improve the handling but it's very harsh.
but i've heard nothing but massive praise for marcus and SC&C

 

[86-blk442]

I have a complete Spohn suspension in my 442. Cost me $1700 for everything and it is really nice. Everything fit perfect with no problems and it handles way better than the stock setup ever did.

 

[82oldskid]

Megaladon6, I have heard that before about that kit being kinda harsh. I was looking into the Eibach springs, paired up with a set of Edelbrock IAS shocks... I've heard alot of good about those shocks too, so I think they may be worth using. As for rear control arms, I wasn't gonna go with adjustable ones, for the simple fact that I just don't need them for what I'm doing. And, sway bars aint been figured out yet. I will definitely look into SC&C though. Thanks alot for the info!

Any other thoughts?

 

[megaladon6]

if you lower the rear, get adjustable upper arms, you WILL need them to correct the pinion angle.
there are 3 major choices though. 1-tubular arms with the usual poly bushings--bad idea. the g-body rear suspension design sucks and poly bushings will bind. poly on stock arms isn't bad though. 2-tubular with rubber bushings-doesn't have the bind and is quite a bit stiffer than stock, but not all it could be 3-tubular arms (upper and lower) with a heim style joint (the best right now seem to be del-a-sphere and spohn) that allows the rear to pivot as needed while being rock solid in the proper directions. only a little more expensive, but i'm going with as cheap as possible as you don't want/need race level. trust me i could spend LOTS of your money on amazing parts if you want! lolol
as of now my monte basically has what i recommended and the handling is very nice. definitely the best of all my former cars, and i've out handled a few m3's and even an m5 in them (though i assume the drivers sucked!) my old golf even pissed off a few porsche's, it didn't out do or even match them, but i kept up long enough.

 

[82oldskid]

You know, i just browsed through Spohn's site... I like what I see. I think I just found where I'm getting my rear suspension and my coils. But, what about the front? Original plan was stock control arms, and rebuild everything with Moog brand parts. Thoughts and suggestions? Thanks so far for all the information!

 

[megaladon6]

Stick with the stock LCAs, just box them in. But if you can get the fully adjustable UCAs. They do also make an offest solid UCA that is better than stock but is only slightly.
for a basic rebuild stock moog parts are good. Thats what id use for everyting except the ball joint but those will be the tall style for heavy use and improved geometry