thesalboy
Veteran Member
He's coilovers all around, I think, and yes to just roll it around something solid is fine.
75 Bumblebee LT4 Gen V swap
yes, I have coilovers all around, and the front subframe will be modified for better coil over mounts after this heat wave is over.
Thanks for the info, figured it was fine but wanted to double check just in case.
Thanks for the info, figured it was fine but wanted to double check just in case.
thesalboy
Veteran Member
I did PTFB mounts given that's where I got all my suspension components. All the kits do basically the same thing - provide a stronger upper mount that is also located higher to allow more travel - and I think there are more options out there now than there were when I was looking. PTFB allows 2 different heights for the top mount. But I suggest you get everything from the same vendor.
I offer this info FWIW...
I had to grind metal away where the coil spring passes through the mount's lower hoop because I learned only on the test drive that the spring was hitting the frame on one side on full compression (going over bumps). (I think regardless of vendor you'll find the install instructions are at least as loose as those for your rear end setup were - I think all Dave said was "Make it as plumb as you can." but that's it.) When I went to remove the coilover to do the grinding, I couldn't get the upper mount out - it's concentric square tubing with a nutted bolt through it, and tightening that squished the outer square enough to prevent the inner from slipping out (and there's just too little room to remove the bolt holding the coilover to the upper mount, I was pleased to find). That grinding with everything in place was some serious un-fun. I will someday have to cut reliefs in the inner fender so I can pound the upper mount out.
This pic should give you an idea of what I mean. The inner fender once installed is only an inch or so above the top of the top mount, and I think that's only because I had bent the inner fender up at that point so they didn't touch.
Here is the install video of what I'm doing, at one point he uses a plasma cutter to allow more room for the shock, is this what you're describing? (skip to 4:15 if you don't want to watch the entire video)
thesalboy
Veteran Member
Close. Spring was not hitting the frame, which I cut well oversized. Just like the PTFB mount, the "base" of the GW mount has a perfect circle cut into it where the coilover passes through. I had to grind that perfect circle because the spring hit it. There is no way to test it because with the spring on there's no way to get full compression - unless you can figure out some way to hold the car down. So I guess mock everything up after you install and before powder coating and if the clearance makes you nervous, add some. I didn't need to remove much metal.
The pic I inserted is of the driver side which has the coilover nice and centered - don't go by that - the issue was on the passenger side. I've gone through all my pics but can't find any that show it. I think the coilover visibly was just a bit off-center on the passenger side, toward the front, which is where I had to grind.
Thanks I'll keep that in mind
I was thinking about getting my frame painted after I welded up all the brackets to the frame but it sounds like maybe I shouldn't if I'm not sure the shock won't hit....but taking the frame out of the car once I'm able to drive it sounds like a huge pita
Guess we'll see where the shock lands before I make any decisions
I was thinking about getting my frame painted after I welded up all the brackets to the frame but it sounds like maybe I shouldn't if I'm not sure the shock won't hit....but taking the frame out of the car once I'm able to drive it sounds like a huge pita
Guess we'll see where the shock lands before I make any decisions
thesalboy
Veteran Member
You have to completely disassemble the front end, I believe. Just paint it in place for rust protection, it'll be fine.
Don't have any real updates, driveshaft lop came in the mail, it was on back order when I got my subframe connectors. I didn't really want this and most likely added an extra $100 to my order...oh well I guess might as well use it.
Unrelated to my car, I got sushi with my gf yesterday and there happened to be a car show going on so we walked around, I think only 1 car had an ls swap, everything else appeared to be period correct (though I did not look that hard, and not all hoods were open)
Tons of chevelles, handful of c2/c3 corvettes (one c1) tons of first gen camaros.
There was only 1 2nd gen camaro, my gf thought it was ugly haha
I only took pictures of the cars I cared about, minus the el caminos.
Unrelated to my car, I got sushi with my gf yesterday and there happened to be a car show going on so we walked around, I think only 1 car had an ls swap, everything else appeared to be period correct (though I did not look that hard, and not all hoods were open)
Tons of chevelles, handful of c2/c3 corvettes (one c1) tons of first gen camaros.
There was only 1 2nd gen camaro, my gf thought it was ugly haha
I only took pictures of the cars I cared about, minus the el caminos.
yup, was pretty neat, was a 1970 with 62000 original miles, car looked great
