Sam Cogley
Well-known member
I've finally managed to get some significant wheel time this past week (several years after most of the suspension work was finished), and I can now give an informed review of the ride.
Front suspension: stock design, with Energy Suspension red poly bushings, a big block/Gymkhana sway bar, and shorter 550# springs, VB&P Bilstein shocks.
Rear Suspension: Herb Adams (I think) aircraft-grade spherical T/A bearings, VB&P adjustable strut rods modified with Heim joints, inner strut rod mount point lowered about 3/4", Guldstrand solid crossmember bushings, rebuilt early-production VB&P dual-mount spring, Energy Suspension red poly spring cushions, VB&P Bilstein shocks valved for the dual-mount. Rear suspension can be seen here: www.vettemod.com/forum/showthread.php?p=93875#post93875
Wheels/Tires: American Racing 15x7 alloy wheels, 255/60/R15 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires on all four corners.
Ride: firm but not harsh. Even over rough roads, the car doesn't beat you up. It doesn't float over the bumps like a big Cadillac or '57 Bel Aire, but it doesn't jump around like a deranged Mexican bean, either. The tires stay planted to the road, and any bumps are quickly damped by the spring and shock combination. There is no extra vibration from the differential, despite the whole assembly being solidly mounted to the frame. Ride quality is better than I really expected with the extensive deletion of rubber in the rear end. Several knowledgeable people had the opinion that the spherical T/A bearings would be too harsh for the street.
Front suspension: stock design, with Energy Suspension red poly bushings, a big block/Gymkhana sway bar, and shorter 550# springs, VB&P Bilstein shocks.
Rear Suspension: Herb Adams (I think) aircraft-grade spherical T/A bearings, VB&P adjustable strut rods modified with Heim joints, inner strut rod mount point lowered about 3/4", Guldstrand solid crossmember bushings, rebuilt early-production VB&P dual-mount spring, Energy Suspension red poly spring cushions, VB&P Bilstein shocks valved for the dual-mount. Rear suspension can be seen here: www.vettemod.com/forum/showthread.php?p=93875#post93875
Wheels/Tires: American Racing 15x7 alloy wheels, 255/60/R15 Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires on all four corners.
Ride: firm but not harsh. Even over rough roads, the car doesn't beat you up. It doesn't float over the bumps like a big Cadillac or '57 Bel Aire, but it doesn't jump around like a deranged Mexican bean, either. The tires stay planted to the road, and any bumps are quickly damped by the spring and shock combination. There is no extra vibration from the differential, despite the whole assembly being solidly mounted to the frame. Ride quality is better than I really expected with the extensive deletion of rubber in the rear end. Several knowledgeable people had the opinion that the spherical T/A bearings would be too harsh for the street.
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