[NeighborsComplaint]

I have my '71 GTO in the shop rebuilding the TH400 and installing a new posi and 3.55 gearset. While looking under the car, I can see the front and rear control arm bushings are all shot and the shocks date from 1989. It was pretty much a reality check looking at the derelict underside compared to the shiney topside.

I am thinking about putting on new tubular upper and lower control arms which have poly bushings and new ball joints, rear tubular control and trailing arms w. poly bushings, KYB gas shocks and a rear sway bar. I am also going to do the Jeep steering gearbox swap. The car has a front disk brake conversion already and I may leave the rear drums alone for now. The labor to install the new suspension parts is no different than the cost to install all new bushings so I am thinking seriously about doing this.

Can I expect a huge handling improvement from the suspension parts? I am expecting the car will feel much more nimble, precise and well controlled. Right now it floats like a boat.

The remaining item is springs and this is the dilemma ... the springs are 44 years old but the stance of the car is perfect. I just know if I put it new springs, the car will stand taller.

Would I be giving up a lot of ride quality and control by reusing the old springs? My gut says the new springs will make a big of difference in the ride of the car also. Is there a way to check the old springs' spring rates to see how far off spec they atre compared to new replacements?

Could I buy 1" drop springs and expect the car to sit the same? The whole ride height thing is a crapshoot to me.

Any thoughts from someone who has gone through this?