Ok, guys. I recently purchased a 1970 Buick GS with a 455 and the steering and suspension need to be replaced/upgraded. I am wondering if I should look into an aftermarket suspension system such as UMI, CPP, BMR, SC&C and etc. Or if I should just stick with OEM parts and upgrade on shocks and springs. Also what would you guys recommend for steering components? I don't plan on doing any auto cross, my car is a daily driver in the summer so some occasional street/strip. I am wanting to improve the cars handling and comfort.
ditch the idea of anything from cpp. .Chinese garbage hotchkis HD steering componets Leebox with matching PS pump Hr parts in stuff rear bar with ridetech posilink endlinks Front DSE hollow bar if you still want to rock a fsb Umi or dse rear control arm brace umi rotojoint axle ear bushings Umi rear upper/lower arms with rotor joints An ajustable shock like hotchkis hps 1.5 or ridetech q series
I'm working on a recently purchased 71 GS 350 4 speed. My 70 Stage 1 has already had lots of upgrades. Here's what I'm planning to do to the 71 350 for the most bang for the buck in this order if budget is an issue. If you aren't auto crossing, no need to splurge on a lot parts that are more expensive. Good shocks & springs (done) Boxed rear lower control arms (factory or otherwise) and factory sway bar (done) Urethane front sway bar bushings (done) Trans Am front sway bar Tubular upper control arms with extra positive caster Proforged tall upper ball joints Jeep Grand Cherokee quick ratio steering box
The Jeep Grand Cherokee box is 12.7:1 ratio. I've used an FE3 Grand National steering box as well but the Jeeps are more plentiful. Last time I bought a reman from AdvanceAuto for $120. Here's the link to the GN box: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...467-P?searchTerm=steering+gear+box#fragment-2 Here's the parts it will take to hook it up to a stock Buick steering shaft and hoses: http://lee-powersteering.com/rebuild-misc.htm
Honestly, the Jeep box will be the biggest potential upgrade on a budget that you could aim for. Running the Jeep box is night and day even on a car with otherwise worn/stock suspension components. Make sure you get the appropriate rag joint (lee engineering sells them, and they can be found through other avenues) and the appropriate fitting adapters. Otherwise, on a car driven non aggressively, replacing worn components with quality parts will make a sizeable difference without breaking the bank. While I love the effect the UMI/Hotchkis/DSE/etc. parts have had on my car, they sure aren't budget oriented. If you're not wanting to go all out, investing in some quality springs and shocks will have a noticeable impact on your car.
Supposedly, this coupler will fit from an 82 Chevy K10 truck: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...r-200/18340125-P?searchTerm=steering+coupler# Also, a lot of people buy an 85 Monte Carlo power steering pressure hose with the o-ring fittings but cut the nipple end off the pump side and use a flare tool to make it a double flare. The low pressure side isn't a problem so you can just use an old hard line off the box and put a hose clamp on it back to the reservoir since that's all that holds it on the pump. If you want to use original hoses, the inserts are available from Lees Manufacturing separately for about $15-20 last time I bought a set. Either is pretty simple and as cheap as it gets unless you reuse a lot of bone yard hoses, which is Russian roulette to me. Having said that, the gear box alone improves the feel of the car without actually improving the handling. Without new suspension components, it will still be the land yacht it was before the gear box swap.
I have a jeep box off of my 70. Set up for -6AN I switched to a Turn One box so don't need the jeep box. $50 plus shipping. Shipping from MI
I agree with the above. probably the best thing you can do is swap your steering box. I bought a GN box remaned from napa for about 120 bucks I think. 2.5 turns lock to lock is a huge improvement over the factory variable ratio unit. Score a good set of sway bars and replace any worn bushings. You won't recognize it.
I'm pretty sure it's the early/mid 90's grand cherokee 93-98. You can do some reading on the subject by searching for "chevelle jeep box upgrade"
For me, I went with a mix of OEM & aftermarket. Front: Tall upper ball joints, Hotchkiss offset upper control arm shafts. Koni shocks ( had 'em lying around) & lowered heavier springs. Rear: Stock at this stage, apart from an OEM sway bar. New bushes, idler, and tie rods all round. Big difference & well worth it. Steering box and rear springs & shocks to come.
