New and need suspension help!

[wvumtnbkr]

Good Day!

I recently acquired a 79 malibu. This malibu has a 350 V8 in it with an automatic trans. The car already has a full cage in it as well.

The car was set-up for drag racing for the last 10 years. It doesn't seem like anything was done with the suspension other than maybe some aftermarket springs.

I am running a few road races this year and want to run this car. I normally run my 87 Mazda RX7 turbo, but thought I would give a domestic a try!

I figure, I need to do something about the HORRIBLE front suspension geometry! I figure the easiest way is for longer upper AND lower ball joints. Anybody know where I can get ones that will go in the stock control arms?

Next, I will get the front anti-roll bar off an F-body iroc Z.
I was thinking about using an aftermarket rack and pinion set-up to eliminate the bump steer and wandering. I know you can get a quicker and better feeling box off of an Iroc Z also, but then I still have to deal with the bump steer. I can get an aftermarket rack and pinion for about $200.00.

I am planning to get a poly bushing kit for the entire car as well as some stock replacement springs that are stiffer (somebody posted a good link on another thread... ...I will have to search again!) Finally, i found some bilstein shocks for these cars for only like $60.00 apiece!

I am also going to tie the cage in to more places and brace the front and rear ends ALOT more than stock.

Am I missing anything?

Thanks!

Rob

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

I figure, I need to do something about the HORRIBLE front suspension geometry! I figure the easiest way is for longer upper AND lower ball joints. Anybody know where I can get ones that will go in the stock control arms?

Next, I will get the front anti-roll bar off an F-body iroc Z.
I was thinking about using an aftermarket rack and pinion set-up to eliminate the bump steer and wandering. I know you can get a quicker and better feeling box off of an Iroc Z also, but then I still have to deal with the bump steer. I can get an aftermarket rack and pinion for about $200.00.

I am planning to get a poly bushing kit for the entire car as well as some stock replacement springs that are stiffer (somebody posted a good link on another thread... ...I will have to search again!) Finally, i found some bilstein shocks for these cars for only like $60.00 apiece!

I am also going to tie the cage in to more places and brace the front and rear ends ALOT more than stock.

Am I missing anything?

Thanks!

Rob

Call the guys at http://www.scandc.com as they can do wonders for the a/g-body cars. They sell the Howe taller upper and lower ball joints. I don't think they recommend them in the stock upper arms due to binding issues with the a-arm angle created. They sell some very reasonably priced adjustable tubular upper arms though. Nice setup, I plan on getting when I get to that point in my buildup. They can advise you on what parts to use with your setup.

I'm not positive but I know many people who have wanted to convert to R&P steering but some kind of problems prevent a successful swap. Again, SC&C can advise as if it can/could be done, these guys would have.

Make sure all your poly bushings that are in a rotational motion are greasable. I had non-greasable poly's and they were so stiff due to binding the front suspension wouldn't move at all. I've since switched to Global West Del-A-Lums and they are nice! Moves more like a bearing than a bushing with no binding what-so-ever. The above mentioned a-arms also feature a simular style bushing. For the stock Moog spring listing, see this: http://www.maliburacing.com/coilspring.htm

There is a thread here somewhere on all the available body bracing. Yeah, right here: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8126&start=0&hilit=body+bracing Some of the smallest simplest mods can make a BIG differance. Tying that cage to the frame will help a bunch, too.

 

[SLICK79WGN]

the b-body 12" disc brake upgrade would help in the braking dept and also the front suspension geometry

 

[wvumtnbkr]

I did search for the "b-Body" spindle swap but couldn't find anything on it.

Is there a link or something that would point me in teh right direction?

I thought it wasn't advisable due to needing custom control arms. Is this true?

Thanks!

Rob

 

[Milwaukee tool man]

I am new here....And I have been doing a lot of looking for a r&p setup. The ones off of the pinto are about 7 inches to long. The enter joints need to line up with the pivot of the a arms.....So far TRZ is the only one that has a shorten R&P that will fit a G Body right so there will be no bump steer. They have a kit for around $650.00 but I think you can just buy the rack for around $260.00 I am trying very hard to find a cheaper way to do it. I also checking into trying to have a pinto R&P shorten....I anyone know any other way post it please.........

On a side note there is a guy on a differant web site that is running a g body and is road racing....

 

[SLICK79WGN]

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/sw ... index.html

http://www.darklair.com/monte/12in-brake.html

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/brakes/12inch2.html

http://www.montecarloss.com/community/u ... ber=341387

your 12" brake upgrade info headqtrs :lol:

you can purchase a new rotor from a 1LE camaro from your local auto parts store that will have the 5 x 4.75" bolt pattern versus the B-body's 5 x 5" bolt pattern.

You can get the aftermarket upper control arms for around $50 each at http://www.ubmachine.com.

 

[wvumtnbkr]

so if I run the B-Body spindles, I don't need the longer upper and lower ball joints? Or, should I still get the long lower ball joints to lower the car?

Do I absolutely have to run aftermarket control arms? This car will not be driven on the street. I am only looking for maximum grip for road racing.

Can anybody tell me exactly what GM springs they are running on their car (front and back) with a SBC up front?

Thanks!

Rob

 

[shotgun]

Read this : viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14031&hilit=norm#p102326

At the beginning there is a link (post #4) which is a good read also.
Pretty much a good recipe.
Norm races his Malibu at SCCA events.