[70 conv goat]

I have a 1965 GTO convertible, mild cam, 428 tripower 4 speed car, nice driver, but I am not looking to do the big upgrade on this car, just get her riding a little nicer.

I have gone through the susepnsion on the car with one of my mechanic buddies, we concluded to change out the shocks, springs, add bigger sway bars, and change out the rear control arms to boxed units, as those bushings are worn. The front bushings are okay, the car will remain a 4 drum, non pwr brake car. I want just a little lower than stock ride height.

So what suspension systems do you like / suggest?

Very much appreciate any insights you might have.

[The Champ]

I'll strongly recommend Koni shocks. Have also heard very good things about Bilstein.

I have Koni Coilovers on the front - so I have fully adjustable ride height in the front.

Stock convertible springs normally have the rear end setting lower than the front. I actually had custom rear springs made to raise the rear .75" back in 1995.

A second generation Trans Am WS6 1.25" front bar is a bolt on.

Pics below show car with stock springs up front and then with the coilovers set real low.

[dataway]

Dang that's a nice car.

How do you get the front coil-overs through the shock hole in the lower control arm? Or is the setup on a 64 different than a 68?
JohnnyB

[The Champ]

Coil-overs replace the front springs and the shocks - you don't put them "through" any hole.

Part of a super package deal I got from one of my customers - Global West tubular A arms, Koni Coil-overs and Wilwood disc brakes off his '71 LeMans drag car. We put them in at his shop and he aligned the front end for me after we were done. Total cost - $1600.00.

[Chris65LeMans]

I just (on recommendations from this site) bought UMI tubular front A-arms and Bilstein shocks. I went with PMT control arms in the rear because they just looked beefier to me. (I had a control arm fail on me at 60 mph and am not taking that chance again.) I've also got new sway bars front and rear (matched control arm manufactures with their sway bars.) Hopefully we'll have her on the road before New Years, and I can give you a report.

[Tom Vaught]

Bet the handling went up on the lowered ride height but I bet you could not drive that deal in Detroit without taking out the oil pan in short order.

I actually prefer the car in Pic #1. Maybe if the car was a Hardtop or Post but a Convertible to me looks squashed.

Tom Vaught

[RamAirIV28]

just be carefull going too far on the suspension stiffness or it will start tweeking your convertible frame, do a search and you'll see waht I mean. I leke the standard ride hight, that other stuff is just an expensive passing fad

[The Champ]

Tom

The handling did improve dramatically.

Because of the disc brake conversion widening my front track by about .25" per side, I developed a slight tire rub on the passenger side.

As a result - I raised the car about .5" from what is shown in that photo.

I live in rural MN - lot's of roads that are far from "smooth" here (and I have driven in Detroit...) No clearance issues for the oil pan at all - even when set at the lower height. No problem getting on or off the race track or getting into Victory Lane...