I just finished a 455 swap into a 65 special. I found out how crappy the handling is. I was thinking new shock, coils, and maybe a swaybar. What should I get. Im trying to keep it cheap as usual. What should I get for springs and stuff. Like what height and rating. Who makes them and where do I get swaybars, etc.
Start with all new rubber bushings, ball joints, and make sure everything is up to specs and solid. A perfect stock setup is better than half-baked moded up system. Example: putting $300 set of shocks on a car with worn steering box and ceneter link will still steer like doodoo. It is called a suspension system and one bad part of the system will make the rest of it junk. Would probably upgrade the front springs when rebuilding the front end. I used Global West but I am sure there are other sources as good or better. Get the biggest front sway bar you can find cheap, but this can always be added later. Any new gas shock is better than what you have. I went cheap on the front of mine (autozone gas shocks on sale) and they actually work pretty good. In my case I want to spend more money on rear shocks. Another cheap but necessary fix is to box the rear control arms. Lots of cheap kits on Ebay. Find a junk yard sway bar for the rear. This bar does not have to be huge to help. Again new bushings are the most important item. Put most of your budget for shocks at the rear end. Remember you are trying to harness the torque of a BBB! Warning do not use poly bushing in the rear suspension!!!!! Finally a good set of tires. This is my setup, and everyone that drives it cannot believe how good it is. Front Helwig 1 3/16th bar poly bushings (cheap- go with F-body bar) steering box out of 96 jeep grand cherekee (junkyard part $75) this is the best quick ratio box for our cars Gloabal West upper control arms, springs, b-body spindles and brakes. Cheap alternative is to use offset control arm shafts to try and get a little negative camber in the front. Go to a good front end shop and have them get as much caster as possible. Try for a 1/2 degree negative on the camber and 1/16 to 1/8 inch toe in. Global West front springs and the cheap shocks. Rear: Currie lower control arms. Edelbrock upper control arms Chevy 12 bolt Afco shocks Stock 7/8 bar stock old springs (pretty soft but have good length) air bags for the track The most important thing is to have EVERY part in good shape. Then you can make mods as the $$$ permit. Good Luck
