Rear Suspension Upgrade

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by '72 Skylark Custom 4bbl, Aug 1, 2018.

  1. '72 Skylark Custom 4bbl

    '72 Skylark Custom 4bbl Well-Known Member

    Evening everyone. 1972 Skylark Custom currently with a 350 upgrading to a 450-500hp 455. I briefly searched & didn't see a topic.

    Wondering what the best upgrades are to do to the rear suspension. Will be upgrading to a limited slip of course(have a 3.08 peg leg now). Will be replacing springs & adding Bilstein shocks as well.

    Do I need to upgrade upper or lower control arms?

    What would be a good size sway bar to add? No rear sway bar currently.

    Any ideas of putting this power on the ground in a budgetary fashion will be greatly appreciated. If there is a good link on here I would be more than happy to research it.

    Thanks!
     
  2. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    You could post a WTB on this forum for an original rear sway bar and the boxed lower control arms. Or, you can box your control arms by welding reinforcing pieces to the bottom, open end of each arm. That plus your new posi rear and new springs and shocks should do it. The bars and control arm plates can be purchased as a kit for your car in either original 7/8 inch or upgraded 1 inch diameter.

    https://www.summitracing.com/parts/..._2AxAnbWJfYBkLiNP7XeeTvIEcadg7XRoCXm4QAvD_BwE

    https://www.opgi.com/skylark/ADDC939/
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2018
    john.schaefer77 likes this.
  3. UticaGeoff

    UticaGeoff Well-Known Member

    Might want to add the F41 bars too. They come up for sale here periodically.

    UticaGeoff
     
    john.schaefer77 likes this.
  4. Steve Craig

    Steve Craig Gold Level Contributor

    '76-'81 Trans Am or Rally Sport Camaro front swaybar is a direct fit. Mounted with 1" rear factory bar & boxed arms will change it from trying to turn a beached whale to carving a turm with a high end BMW. Well, not really that well, but makes a substantial improvement.
     
    BuickV8Mike likes this.
  5. Bens99gtp

    Bens99gtp Well-Known Member

    Harlockssx likes this.
  6. Daves69

    Daves69 Too many cars too work on

    Kyle
    I have tried a few different combinations and the best handling and ride for my car is the following.
    Rear suspension: Replace all the bushings with factory style rubber. Box the lowers with the OPGI kit. and add the rear sway bar. I boxed my uppers by cutting a plate to fit and weld it in. (don't know if it really helped but I feel better about it. ) New rear springs from ESPO springs, and added air bags. I used Monroe 50/50 shocks. My car had the F41 braces.
    Front suspension I replaced all the bushings with new rubber bushings also. Installed the 1 1/4" Trans Am sway bar with polyurethane mounts and end links. All the steering components were replaced. A used Grand National steering box was installed with the adapters and pump upgrades. 50/50 shocks were also used. My original front big block springs were within stock ride height specs after the rebuild.

    The car handles curves well and I can tune the rear suspension with the airbags.
    Polyurethane bushings were tried at one point and were too stiff and squeaked.
     
    Harlockssx and rkammer like this.

Share This Page