[Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the August 2017 issue of Grassroots Motorsports.]
Meet Our Expert:
Bret Voelkel
President, Ridetech
ridetech.com
As with any project, I always look for the best body I can find in a color I can live with. Body and paint work typically comprise 50 percent of the build budget, so if you can avoid that portion, you have more money and time to spend on other go-fast goodies. The ’78-’88 G-body vehicles are mechanically near identical, varying only by body shape and interior style. It’s your time and money going into this project, so make sure you pick out the body style you truly like the best.
The G-body suffers the same inverted camber curve problems that the first-generation Camaros and Chevelles did. We use a taller upper ball joint to resolve that.
GM also used a generous amount of rubber in the front suspension control arm pivots to improve ride quality. While polyurethane has long been considered an “upgrade,” poly also imparts a huge amount of “sticktion” in the suspension that results in uncontrolled initial spring rate and squeaky bushings. We use Delrin bushings that require no lubrication, allow no uncontrolled lateral movement, and allow smooth rotational movement. The net result is dramatically improved ride quality and handling, with no noise.
We use a dropped spindle and dual-rate coil springs (in our StreetGrip kit) or coil-overs to lower the ride height and optimize ride quality and handling.
From there we up the diameter of the front sway bar–which is also mounted in Delrin bushings–to minimize body roll, and include rebound-adjustable monotube shocks so the customer can tune the ride and handling to their liking.
On the rear we include dual-rate coils (also in our StreetGrip kit) or coil-overs, and a slightly larger rear sway bar. We specifically do not use Delrin or poly bushings in the rear four-link bars because those bars need to articulate to do their job properly. Limiting that articulation binds the rear of the car up and creates excessive stress on the bars and their mounts.
Turn One and Borgeson offer a faster-ratio steering box for the G-body. We like to use a flow-matched pump from Turn One to get the best feel and performance.
A 17- or 18-inch wheel diameter seems to offer the widest selection of tire choices for about any style of…
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