| Chevy II Front Suspension Kits, Info & Comparisons |
| I had been considering a new front suspension
for my Chevy II. I put some thought into it, compared some prices
and looked for alternative and substitutive components. People have been
great in sharing ideas and information with me, so I'll share what I've
found too. I have found most of these kits to be kind of expensive for
what is offered, so I was looking for the best route to go with for my
hard earned bucks.
It's no longer just Heidts and Fat Man as options. Many kits are now offered. Note: Some of the price and cost figures may be out dated, or different than what you might figure. Also alot of this is personal opinions. You may come to different conclusions. |
| Fat Man Fabrication Kit
http://www.fatmanfab.com/fm-17.htm |
| This seems to be one of the most easily installed kits. For me total cash outlay would have been $1,800 to $2,100 using combination of Used strut housing and rebuilt components from the local discount auto parts store. Fat Man has been selling this kit for a number of years, and there are many of these in use. Prices will vary depending on parts needs, what can be found used and how much, options, upgrades and shipping costs. |
| Pro's | Cons |
| Used 3rd generation Camaro parts required
to complete installation, are cheap ands easy to find used or in junkyards.
Total cost after installation could end up less than most other kits.
Easy to install, No modifications Shock towers can be modified or flattened more than a stock suspension if engine compartment space desired due to the springs being smaller and further away. Adjustable spring height. Kit comes with steering shafts and U joints Completely bolt in. No welding Has a stock looking appearance Weighs 100 lbs less than stock front end |
Shock towers stay in engine compartment
If installing a big block, 8" balancer
can't be used, and can't get front of motor as far down in front as in
one of the Mustang II type kits, meaning less space between engine and
firewall for throttle linkage
|
| Alston Chassisworks Kit.
Subframe and suspension http://www.cachassisworks.com/ |
| Alston designed and manufactured components. Appears to be one of the nicer kits. Also one of the more expensive. I called them up to find out if any stock or production application brake parts, rotors calipers etc. could be used. They said no, that their components would have to be used because their suspension was designed by Chasssisworks from the ground up. All built in house by Chassisworks. For me the overall cost would be between $3,300 and $3,500. Prices will vary depending on parts needs, options, upgrades and shipping costs. |
| Pros | Cons |
| Frame rails are narrower alowing the use
of extra wide tires.
Drop spindles are supplied with suspension kit Nice billet rack supplied with kit
Quality kit
Alston makes headers including for big block that are available to use with their kits |
Coil over shocks & brake components
not in kit and must be bought from Alstons. High quality, but costly upgrades
Overall Cost. Large CHASSISWORKS name in BIG stamped lettters on the inner fenderwells. kinda free advertising. Person I talked to on phone was adequate and answered my questions ok, but not flexible or free with suggestions |
| A Fine Example http://home.attbi.com/~documike/ |
| Heidts
Subframe & suspension http://www.heidts.com/heip26.htm http://www.hotrodsusa.com/manufactures/heidts/heifram1.htm |
| This is a Mustang II based suspension. There are so many options and sources to get parts from. This is probably the most popular kit. This kit can be economical if you have luck finding some Mustang II or pinto parts at a good price. If the complete suspension package & Subframe is bought new from Heidt's, overall cost between $2,500 and $2,700. Prices will vary depending on parts needs, if you can find cheap used spindles & upper control arm, options, Overall price drops cosiderably. There are a couple of things that need to be improved if Heidts wants to maintain the popularity of this kit amongst the increasing competition. (see cons below). it's still a pretty good kit though other than the inner fenders on the 62 to 65 kits... |
| Pros | Cons |
| New or used Mustang II and Pinto
components can be used, lowering costs.
Completely bolt in. No welding Can do away with shock tower freeing up lots of engine compartment room Inner fender wells available. Lots of Hot Rod dealers all over the US
either sell or are distributers for this kit. You can call around and get
price breaks. Example:
I have seen this kit used with good results |
Mustang II & Pinto components may
be hard to find in junkyards these days in some areas
no adjustability on ride height after installed unless you opt for the optional adjustable coil over shocks or Air Ride. I read a post on a bulletin board where the guy had to cut out the motor mounts and move them for installing a big block, but Heidts says it's a bolt in. The motor gets centered in the car with this kit. A stock Chevy II the motor is set to one side or offset a couple inches. So after install the motor will be at a slight angle unless you move the tranny mount over too. For 62-65 applications, the inner fenderwells are flat on the top edge. when bolted up against the fender, it leaves a gap in the middle. The Chevy II's fender's monting surface is arched with a slight curve. There is room for impovement here. NNN's inner fender panel & hood hinge mounting can be used with the Heidts kit for better results |
| Pros | Cons |
| Coil over's included. No charge for upgrade
Drop spindles included Height adjustable springs wheels can be adjusted forward and back. Power steering rack, no additional charge for upgrade GM 11' brakes included. choice of bolt pattern. Don't have to pay extra for an upgrade to get bigger brakes. Support tubes are raised in the back, allowing the use of fender well headers if desired. Martz will figure the springs you need
for various engine combos including big blocks and include in kit
no extra charges.
Completely bolt in. No welding
|
Uses struts on lower control arms, but in this case may not be a disadvantage |
| Jim
Meyers
Crossmember and suspension http://www.jimmeyerracing.com/ |
| Jim Meyers Racing now
has a Chevy II front end kit. All stock inner fenderwells and sheet metal
is used.
Stage 1 kit $1895.00 includes Crossmember, A arms, Coil overs and hardware.The following items not included:ball joints, spindles, calipers and steering rack which are all over the counter parts from your local auto parts store.. Stage II kit $2675.00 Includes everything except steering hookup kit. |
| Pros | Cons |
| This is a very easy installation. Appears
about as easy as the Fat Man
Uses easy to find GM parts ie: 70-81 Camaro
spindles and rotors
No modifications needed to stock sheet metal Easy Install: Their crossmember goes
on stock Chevy II frame rails.
Shock towers can be modified or flattened more than a stock suspension if engine compartment space desired due to no springs or shocks behind the shock towers. Great for keeping a close to stock uder the hood appearance if desired.
|
70-81 Camaro spindles/rotors might be
heavy
Steering hookup kit is $195 option Shock towers stay in engine compartment. |
| Note: If you need 70 - 81 camaro spindles that are required for this kit, I have some sets I would sell for $40 a pair |
| Checkered
Racing
Subframe and suspension |
| Checkered
Front Suspension Pictures
An install: http://www.geocities.com/tssteph1/ Checkered racing email: [email protected] Checkered racing Phone Number 812-279-6972 Have seen his ads on Ebay offering complete susp subframe assy and all suspension components rotor to rotor for $2,000 |
| Pros | Cons |
| Lowest Priced Complete subframe kit available.
Outstanding value
Complete bolt on Large 11" brakes standard Coil over shocks included. Will match spring to your application Nice Flaming River billet rack included. Flaming River steering hookup ujoint kit at no aditional cost Upper A arm length adjustable. Alignment not done with shims. Inner fenders avail for $150 Motor mount brackets shipped seperate & not installed. To me this is an advantage to fit position engine where you want it before welding them up.. $100 flat rate shipping east of Mississippi |
| Wayne
Dues' Chassis shop
http://www.waynedue.com/ |
| His kit uses all late model Corvette components. Just lacking information. This may be only for 3rd generation Novas |
| Pros | Cons |
| Front rails 3" narrower than stock, allowing
for very large wheels and tires
Accepts all 85 to 87 Corvette suspension compponents |
| TCI
Sub Frame and suspension http://www.streetrodparts.tv/tci_nova_subframe.htm |
| This is a Mustang II based suspension. Very competetively priced at $2,295 for a complete kit. Everything included. |
| Pros | Cons |
| low Price
Big 11" brakes ncluded. Drop Spindles included Free sway bar Custom kit option with chrome spindles, polished stainless A arms, coil overs, bilet calipers etc. great for a show car! |
| Heidts
& Arizona
Mustang II weld in Cross member These are suppliers of Mustang II components and cross members I have dealt with. There are many others Arizona Nova http://aznova.com/ Heidt's http://www.hotrodsusa.com/manufactures/heidts/heifram1.htm National Nostalgic Nova http://nnnova.com/ |
| Both Arizona Nova and Heidts make weld in sub frames. Arizona has been in business since the begining and may be the pioneer on this type of suspensions. Both Arizona and Hotrods USA were the most knowledgeable and helpful suppliers I have talked to. NNN is also a supplier. This is the cheapest and best value IF you don't mind the welding and grinding. I figured it took me an extra 8 to 10 hours extra work over a bolt on front end. For myself worth the $525 savings over the bolt on. if you don't weld, a bolt in might be better. |
| Mustang II and Pinto components
can be used, lowering costs.
Inner fender wells or shock towers
don't necessarily have to be removed
Inner fender wells & support hoops available from NNN to make it look like a more expensive professional kit. Dean @ HotrodsUSA( Heidts distributor) I spoke to on phone very helpful and had good suggestions. Plus he offered me 10% off and free shipping over $1,000 |
Must do cutting and welding.
Mustang II & Pinto components may be hard to find in junkyards these days in some areas no adjust ability on ride height after installed except for changing and or cutting springs, unless you but adj coil over shocks
|
| How it's done. Rich's web page http://www.geocities.com/c2ss/chevyIIwagon.htm
(It inspired the way I decided to do mine). |
Dean at Heidts gave had a great idea for making support tubes. Get some gray electrical grade pvc 112 dia. heat it up where you want the bends. It will bend easy. Form it the way you want. Just leave a little extrra length on the ends. Take the formed peices to a welding or muffler shop or somewhere that bends pipe, and have them bend some .120 wall pipe for you. Take it home, cut to fit and weld it in. |
| Mustang II front suspension tidbits of information |
| Use NNN's inner fender panels. I've been
told the top lip is curved to match the curve on the Chevy II fender
lip. the Heidts inner fendr top lip is flat, and will leave an air gap
between the lips on 62 to 65 applications. 66 & 67 inner fenders are
much better.
Stock used spindles about as good as new
ones
|
| Mustang II Component Price
Comparisons
These are prices I gathered off the net. I'm sure there is lots that could be added and some that could be corrected. Shipping costs are to be considered. Some suppliers will even offer discounts which used to be unlikely. I will be glad to add or change anything. These prices were observed Oct 01. I probably won't update the pricing. |
| Tubular upper control arm $205 Shell
Valley
Stamped upper control arm $175 Shell Valley Tubular upper control arm $239 Arizona Tubular upper control arm $249 Heidts Tubular upper control arm $250 http://www.hotrodssuperstore.com/super-store/tubuparformu.html Tubular lower cntrl arms $329 Arizona
Tubular lower cntrl arms $280 http://www.hotrodssuperstore.com/super-store/tublowarform.html Spindle new $238 Shell Valley
http://www.shellvalley.com/cobra/products.asp?id=Suspension
flaming river steering rack $229
hot rod super-FR http://www.hotrodssuperstore.com/super-store/flamrivperpr.html
Rack w/ 2 tie rods $216 Shell
Valley
Bolt in fender kit $190 NNN http://nnnova.com/ASSOCI.html tie rod ends $14 Arizona
Nova http://www.electricg.com/aznova.html
Stock Shocks $29 Arizona Nova http://www.electricg.com/aznova.html Mustang II rotors $79 pr Arizona
Large GM caliper adaptor $130 Hot rod super Store Street Rod Manufacturing--Good source for disc brakes Granada11" roors $98 ShellValley
Steering shaft kit $245 NNN http://nnnova.com/ASSOCI.html
|
| Other Suspension Shopping related Links:
Mustang II Marketplace Parts for stock suspensions Global West Classic Performance Products Little Joes Rod Shop McGyver Disc Brake kits Barrett Chassis Components |
Other Chevy II links:
My Chevy II Page
|
| Big Block Tips I
will add bits of info as I go along with my project
*With the Arizona or Heidts, the front of the engine can be made to sit lower so stock throttle linkage will have enough room to swing behind the engine. * It is nice to have the motor mount supports left off, so you can position the engine where you want it and then weld in yourself. * Hooker fenderwell headers dump straight down and don't curve back like the small block FW headers. The collectors must be cut down to reduce the amount of exhaust pipe below the vehicle. I bought 3 1/2 dia 45 degree mandrell bent sections from AutoJet Exhaust I cut them down, welded them in and welded the header flange back on. I will link some pics on shortly. *If you can get by with stock or roller tip rockers (not full rollers), stock valve covers can be used, meaniing No firewall mods neccesary. If tall valve covers used, firewall mods will need to be done around wiper motor. Installing a Big Block |
| Change your backspacing:
I put a Ford 9" rear end in my 62 Chevy II. I found that is was wider than my stock rear. I took some stock 14' X 7" steel wheels, ground out all the welds so the wheels center could be moved outward. I moved the center out to get my desired backspacing. Of course it wasn't true and wobbled. I mounted wheel on a brake lathe, tapped outer rim with a hammer on high spots while wheel was spinning until it had no wobble. Welded center back onto outer rim. This will work on front ends where after doing a disc brake conversion pushes the front wheels out and they rub. |
| What I ended up with:
I bought Heidt's tubular upper & lower control arms and a steering rack from someone on Ebay that had abandoned their project. Got a Heidts weld in crossmember on order from HotrodsUSA $369. They are also fixing me up with a pair of spring $69, steering shaft kit $139 and inner fender panels $199. Got lucky and found a set of Mustang II spindles in the junkyard, and a new set of Granada rotors in my garage. i bought the TCI brackets from Hot Rod Super Store I was a little disapointed with what i got and what i paid for it. Here's what the kit constists of . Just not much there for $130 plus shipping. They said brake pad spacers were transferable to new pads, but instead are just a couple strips of metal welded onto some stock pads. They did work well. The only other option is to make your own, but that all takes time. Maybe I'll post a template and more detailed photo. |
| My Front End Install On My 62 |
| Comments or suggestions, links to add, Email Me |
