I just purchased a 72 skylark 350/th350. I am not real familliar with aftermarket suspension or brake parts so my question is I am planning on installing disk front brakes and the front end seems soft so I want to do as much as possible to make it handle better than it does now. everything is stock what would you guys suggest for brakes and suspension upgrades.
Other guys will chime in but I will recommend swapping in a larger front sway bar from a '70-'81 Pontiac Trans Am, along with boxed rear control arms and a thick rear sway bar. This will make a big difference in the handling around curves and corners - my Buick stays flat to the road now instead of leaning into the turns.
I'll second that, and add that the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks made a HUGE difference on the front of my LeSabre, and have lasted 4 times longer than any other shock.
A steering box out of a 69 Chevelle SS was the one item that improved day to day driving on my '64 more than any other single item. It's $130 at NAPA and takes an hour or two to install. Of course, your car may have a quick ratio box installed already but the easiest way to tell is count the turns lock to lock (if it's 4+ turns then you'll want to swap it out). Before you do anything make sure things like tie rod ends, center link, idler arm, etc. are in good shape. Obviously, changing a steering box won't make your car corner flatter or ride firmer but you won't feel the benefit of changing sway bars, springs, shocks, etc. without a nice, firm feel when you turn the steering wheel.
Good heavy duty shocks all the way around, sway bars, good performance tires.. all will go a long ways toward making one perform....
Safety first. The stock power front disc/rear drum setup works well. No need for big bucks unless you are road racing. Sway bars will make a big difference and they are cheap and easy to install. My biggest surprise is what a good set of shocks did for my car in a hard corner. Took the "mush" right out of it and gave a more positive feel.
Tires, the technology that was available when these cars were new has come light years ahead. Invest in some good, wide tires. Alignment, once you get all the parts replaced, don't do a factory alignment. Go one step more modern. Have them put as much positive caster and about 1 degree of negative camber on it. Tubular control arms, there are some pretty inexpensive ones on ebay that I personally have used that add several degrees of positive caster by design. You can also use tall upper ball joints to increase the handling potential. It may never pull 1+G on a skid pad but you will surprise yourself with what it can do.
For street/strip,,, a set of air lift air bags inside the rear springs really firms things up.... but it rides a lot stiffer....
I did replace the rear shocks with air shocks because the rear tires are wide and would scrape the rear fenders on a good bump. The factory brakes in the front are drum so they have to go. I will put new shocks in front when I convert over to disk as it is soft up there. Thanks for the advice guys.:TU:
i would replace/upgrade the brakes and all the suspension components as the first thing to do. then add new tires. it's all about safety first.
