70 Skylark Suspension Upgrade

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by Yanchik, Jun 14, 2017.

  1. Yanchik

    Yanchik Well-Known Member

    Hello, I'm new to the car game and recently bought a stock '70 Skylark 350 2bbl to which I plan on upgrading the suspension (car handles like a boat)

    Since I'm still a college student I don't have the most funds but I feel like I can budget $1700 for suspension parts/tires.

    This is my first car and I only drive like 50 miles a month since I'm close to what I need.

    I want to build a great handling and cornering machine for street use.

    What setup can you guys think of for a beginner like myself with around $1700 for suspension and tires? (Tire Size recommendations welcomed)

    I realize 1700 is the low side of handling upgrades but I need something for the current moment to enjoy the car on the road. I will eventually upgrade suspension as the years go on

    Thank you for reading !
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2017
  2. cjeboyle

    cjeboyle Gold Level Contributor

    A big front sway bar along with a rear bar and boxed lower trailing arms with good shocks and 4 new tires and you are most likely approaching $1700. I'm sure others will chime in with specific parts but that's what I would do.
    Cliff
     
  3. Premier 350

    Premier 350 Chris (aka Webby)

    Welcome from Australia, Yanchik. I'll stick to the tech side and avoid the pricing side. My thoughts are:
    1)15 inch wheels & tyres at least. The options in 14 inches are limited at best.
    2)Go over the suspension and check all the ball joints, tie rods, bushes, etc. Odds are some of those will need replacing, and others here will have recommendations as to brands.
    3) Hector (Carhex) here does a great rebuild service on our steering boxes. He can provide a faster ratio too. I have one and love it.
    4) A cheap and easy upgrade is heaver front and a rear sway bar. I'm told the front ones from 2nd Generation Camaro and Firebird bolt straight in. I used a Olds Cutlass bar on the rear.
    5) Front disc brakes, if your '70 lacks them.
    6) Offset upper conrol arm pivots ( more negative camber) and tall upper ball joints ( a better camber curve with suspension travel) are worth it.
    7) Springs, ask here. Mine are stock.

    I've done all those to my '69 Skylark, and while its no corner carver, it's a vast improvement over stock. There are coil over & tube control arms kits out there too. I like a stock look, so have kept the original control arms
     
  4. blyons79

    blyons79 Well-Known Member

    Lowering springs, large sway bar for the front, add a sway bar to the rear and at least 7" wide rims...I believe the widest tire you can put on a 6" wide rim is 225.

    Tubular control arms typically come with poly bushings and can harshen up the ride....and are very expensive.
     
  5. gsla72

    gsla72 Well-Known Member

    This advice is spot on if you're looking to do something on a budget. You can easily spend 1k+ on a wheel and tire setup going to a 17" or bigger rim. A full on suspension upgrade with tubular arms, disc brakes, etc. can easily triple the budget you have there. I'd probably throw out just a few additions/deviations on Chris' list:

    Tune up your drum brakes - they can stop fairly well if everything is working at 100%
    Jeep Grand Cherokee steering boxes can be installed fairly cheaply and easily - I have one in my car and it's been a night and day change
    UMI makes a competitively priced lowering spring if you'd like to drop the car a little while upgrading the spring rate
    Replacing any worn out components (ball joints, center link, etc.) will make a huge difference- these components can be had fairly cheaply, but go for a quality brand.

    Ultimately, the best advice I can give you is think long and hard on what your long term goals are for the car. Are you looking for a track toy or a weekend cruiser? I've changed my mind a few times throughout the process and added thousands in re-work by doing so. If you're wanting to go big, get the car in tip top shape for the time being and start saving. Do it once and do it right.
     
  6. sriley531

    sriley531 Excommunicado

    To echo what others have said, sway bars are the biggest difference make you'll find (so long as all your bushings/ball joints/etc are in good working order). The biggest one you can get for the front, and any one you can get for the rear will really be night and day. As far as wheels and tires, cruise craigslist/letgo/etc and see if you can get a set second hand to save some coin.
     
  7. rogbo

    rogbo Gold Level Contributor

    Ditto on the wheels and tires. I'd look for some 17 inch ones that fit your car.
    A quick bang for the buck is new HD shocks, can install yourself.
    And replace the existing sway bar end bushings, cheap and easy to do.
    Then you continue on the other items mentioned, you might be happy
    with just these items.
     
  8. Yanchik

    Yanchik Well-Known Member

    Thank you guys for the feedback! As for the front and rear sway bars, I heard that after 1 1/4 inch, the performance doesnt improve? Is there a certain size I should get? And should I also get the solid or hollow ones? Thank you.
     
  9. blyons79

    blyons79 Well-Known Member

    I went with full BMR suspension and QA1 coil overs; pieced it together over time. The very last thing I added was the solid 1.25" sway bar in front and 1" in the rear. The difference was dramatic. I wish I would have went with that as my 1st upgrade.
     
  10. Philip66

    Philip66 Well-Known Member

    Where are you located? I have a couple of brand new 1.25" front sway bars and I would donate one to the cause if you were close. I had ordered 2 from Year One years ago and since I didn't need them immediately I just shelved them. When I went to use one of them, there was no hardware in the box. I called Year One and after explaining what happened, they dropped shipped two more complete set ups to me. With no receipt or anything! That's customer service!! I don't have any of the end links or bushings, but they are pretty easy to find at Advance Auto, AutoZone, Pepboys, etc.
     
  11. Yanchik

    Yanchik Well-Known Member

    Woah that's awesome! Sounds like great customer service haha. I'm in Brooklyn, NY, I'm hoping you're nearby. Are the swaybars compatible with a GM A-Body for my 1970 skylark?
     
  12. Philip66

    Philip66 Well-Known Member

    I'm in Glen Burnie, MD which is 15 minutes South of Baltimore. They're not excessively heavy, just a little bulky for shipping. Either post or PM your zip to me and I'll check to see if I still have one of the original boxes. (My wife loves to save boxes of all different shapes and sizes because you never know when you might have to wrap an unusual wedding present or ??? I'll check the weight of the bar and then see how much it'll cost to get it to you.
     
  13. Yanchik

    Yanchik Well-Known Member

    Hey Philip, I sent you a message a few days ago, let me know if you received it
     

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