The Camaro Club (UK)

I actually CAN spell "spherical"...I seem to have omitted the "h"--twice...It was late, I was tired....

Hi
sounds like you have a familar problem! Airshocks in my opinion just don't work!
I would go so far to say that even modern 4X4 air systems are poor! Last night went x country on farm in new RR Sport TDV8 with friend - to get over the bumps the owner/driver had to raise the suspension to max-- you know the ride was TERRIBLE like an X5 or VW Tourag- useless when offroad- my CJ Jeeps with 1940 design (but carbonfibre leaf springs and 32 x squige tyres) ride better!!

I would recommned Global West - we have been using their stuff for 10 or more years in the race car. Their Delurum bushes are brilliant and fully FIA compliant

We have Hotchkiss springs at front on Camilla- go well although it looks "high" like a Stockcar.

I would recommend Pro-Tech shocks from Somerset- single adjustable and even better than the Bilsteins we had resleeved (when new by Pro-Drive)
Pro Tech are amazing value as well, and will refurb the shocks after a year or three racing!

Martin Thomas always swore by de arched Bedford CF van springs! I have never tried them! We have Global West rear springs on Butch they are waisted (like a parabolic ski) and carbon fibre ones on Camilla- these came from the Roddy Feilden/Frankel 67 camaro racecar- didn't work racing as too much sideways flex - but amazing on a road car (have had a set made for CJ Jeep!)
Hope this helps?

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Kind Regards
TopCat
Secretary
Classic Camaro Club
Member of The Association of American Car Clubs UK
Email :tboles@strathnoon.co.uk Websites: http://www.classiccamaroclubuk.com and:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdhLJtR_ZY4

You might also take a look at QA-1 shocks...not sure of the availability in the UK, but these are what I've gone with. The front on mine ar coil-overs, which of course requires a different lower control arm. The rear are two-way adjustable. I've used Koni in the past and was quite pleased with them as well. Just have to find what works for your particular application. Saw your post regarding the electrical issues--yikes!! Take a look at ISIS.

http://www.isispower.com

This may very well solve your electrical problem.

Thanks guys, sorry for late replies, have been away with work again.

Really good knowledge you guys have I looked more into the hotchkis based on your guys recomendations as well as re arching the springs.

Had really hard time trying to find a company that would re arch springs, managed to find one but not heard back from them for over a week. Seems like a complicated process as they strip to bare metal, reheat, repack etc so i doubt it will be an easy withdrawl from the cash machine! Going to keep thinking about what's best, NPD do the Hotchkis springs but nor sure if they do the antiroll bar, so that maybe an option too. Rocky on this forum just announced that he does Koni shocks so once he can get a price it may look like Koni's but was also recomended pro tech shocks by TopCat so got a couple of options there. I guess time will tiell on this one, but it will keep this thread updated with what path we end up going down. Thanks again for your advice and if you do think of anything else please do keep posting

cheers for now!

Ray

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Ray,

Call Global west. I have friend there and he's been very, very helpful on my project. Call (909) 890-0759 and ask for Erick. Tell him Dana from teh Los Angeles County Coroner referred you. I have no idea what the country code and all that stuff is, but that is the direct, local number and you won't have to deal with the phone menu and all that other stuff. He is one of the engineers and should be able to point you in the right direction. He's also quite well connected with a lot of other manufacturers that they do business with.
Good luck,

Dana

Thanks Dana, that's awesome info Looks like i will be in L.A in september so may try and also arrange to come in to have a chat with them! Are you gonna be around in september? Would be cool to meet up if you have some time. I'll be in studio city visiting friends so can get dropped off some place if it's easier for you. Any cruises happening in SoCal that are worth going to?

Thanks!

Ray

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How to post pics: When writing a message, scroll down and use the "attach file" option. Where possible, a photo sharing service can be used such as Flickr, Imgur etc. The image location (usually ending in .jpg) can be copy and pasted between the ][ brackets that appear when you click the 'Img' button (you can find this button at the top of the message box).

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Ok so about damn time i updated this thread

As i'm waiting on paint, thought i'd dive in and do some work i should have done a long time ago.

Dropped the tank (no build sheet ) and am working on the rear suspension / rear end now. the shells needs a bit of descaling but only surface rust here and there which was quite impressive!

Have dropped the drivers side leaf spring completely, the passenger side has a nut holding it on that is smoothed out, so need to cut that off but it's too late at night to turn the angle grinder on so calling it a night. Have a polybushing set from energy suspension to replace all the bushings, plus poly leaf pads to go in, plus a set of u bolts to replace that mixmatch of nuts and bolts that made up the spring to axle connection. Need to get new nut and bolts for the spring eyes, but the shackles are good. Will be getting the shackles blasted and powder coated, along with the front leaf mounts.

Got a quote for dearching the springs - £85+VAT per side and can't find anywhere else so may pull out a leaf. ChevyStu suggested that the 2nd longest once has been recommended. This may be a good thing as currently the setup has 6 leafs and it seems to be too chunky with all 6 as the rubber mounts were squished to hell, and also caused the metal plate to bend, as seen in the previous pics and pointed out by a couple of the forum members. The wheel to arch gap is 3" after doing some remeasurements, so a 1.5 to 2" drop would be great. Have Koni's for it too now - thanks Rocky! Contemplating Herb Adams mod - wonder how much this will drop the ride height by. Would it be 1:1 ratio e.g 3/4" higher mount hole = 3/4" drop?

Then while i have the chance, new fuel lines, new fuel tank lock and o-ring, fuel filter sock, new fuel tank straps, stripping tank down and painting. Relocating fuel pump as it gets in the way of the over axle pipes. Then also installing over axle pipes with proper hanging points.

Busy times and pics to come

Cheers!

Ray

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Definately do the Herb Adams mod. It will drop about 1/2 of the distance the hole is re-drilled, as your only effecting one end of the leaf.

Taking out, or re-arching the springs is a hit and miss game, as you won't know how much it'll affect the ride height until they're back on the car and have the weight on them.. (I'd personally just take a leaf or 2 out if you've got 6-leaf ones, as they'll be quite a stiff ride)

Good luck with the tank and other stuff too


(pop those pics & vids from last sunday up here if you want mate)

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

Cheers Stu!

am just reading through this article http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthrea ... =5&t=64395

Looks like it's something i can do. I didn't get a chance to take pics last night so i'll try and add some later tonight.

So i'll give removing a leaf a try. I have a 3" arch to wheel gap that would ideally be 1", so minus 1 leaf and about .5" from herb adams front eye mod, should hopefully sit good. I attached a pic below of my springs and numbered them - you think i should remove leaf #2?

Cheers! will add pics and vids to the general chat page, didn't want to without your giving it an ok

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How to post pics: When writing a message, scroll down and use the "attach file" option. Where possible, a photo sharing service can be used such as Flickr, Imgur etc. The image location (usually ending in .jpg) can be copy and pasted between the ][ brackets that appear when you click the 'Img' button (you can find this button at the top of the message box).

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Ok so a couple of pics of the suspension

The bottom bushings are poly from what i can tell (have a new set - so i you need em you can have em cheap - looks like poly for the lower hangers and front eye). The tops were rubber and quite squishy:
Here you can see the state of the rubber cushion and the bent steel pad (whatever the official name is )
Here are the steel plates being flattened out. the drivers side was far worse:
And after about an hour in the vice:
Need new bolts as they were all a mix match.

Have new poly's to go in all round. Will doing the Herb Adams front eye mod while i'm at it and removing a leaf. Probably the 3rd one. The main long leaf with the eyes has one under it which is about 3/4 the length but the the remainder ones are only half the length and shorted, so don't want to put too much load in one area against the main leaf. That's about as engineering as i get lol

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How to post youtube vids: Click on the 'youtubeHD' button at the top of the message box and in the middle of the ][ brackets that just appeared, copy and paste everything from the youtube web address that appears after the = sign i.e if this is the url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cNqaPSHv0 just copy "K2cNqaPSHv0").