There's simply no debating that modern aftermarket suspension systems outperform vintage stock setups on all fronts. It only makes sense; with decades of testing, design, and data on hundreds of automotive platforms to derive from, engineers today have so much more information to build on. That's why any modern four-door commuter sedan will out-handle any stock muscle car. Sad, but true.
While OEM offerings have obviously evolved, so have the aftermarket offerings deigned to help bring our beloved vintage rides up to new car standards. Pulling from both the OEM consumer and even the professional racing worlds, the products and packages available in the aftermarket today have progressed to the point that it's not unthinkable to get old steel up to—and even beyond—modern muscle cars and sports cars without reinventing it from the ground up.
Some systems are more ambitious than others, it all depends on the level you are prepared to take your car to. Want to tear everything out and go full-on modern or race underneath the skin? Can do! Systems engineered with performance above preservation in mind are out there, but sometimes that's just not what a project or budget calls for. Sometimes it's the simplest solution that fits the need.
That same engineering development in the aftermarket that we referred to has increasingly been used to design suspension packages that drastically increase a car's capability while keeping the install as bolt-on as possible. Sometimes it's hard to discern the installation commitment level from the advertisements, so we rounded up 18 of our favorite suspension systems, but we kept it to only systems that don't require major cutting, modification, or fabrication, and either bolt directly in or only require a few alterations. Perhaps a hole or two will need to be drilled, maybe a bracket clearanced, and possibly even light duty welding. We even drew the line at keeping the stock subframe. The essence, though, is that they are all relatively simple solutions that aren't out of the wheelhouse of the average garage wrencher.
Since we are using modern performance cars as our standard, we also kept our roundup isolated to systems designed to improve the overall driving experience, not just a single parameter, such as straight-line acceleration. (We expect more than that from our projects!) While we pulled some of our favorite packages, all of these companies have many more products and systems available. See something that intrigues you? Go check out their websites to learn more and find the company and the kit that's right for you!
Chris Alston Chassisworks
G-Street
These front suspension packages include gStreet tubular upper and lower control arms with bonded rubber or poly bushings, and Vari-Shock coilovers.
Front Applications:
1967-81 Camaro/Firebird
1964-72 Chevelle and GM A-body
1955-57 Chevy
1958-70 Impala
1978-87 Monte Carlo and GM G-body
1968-74 Nova
Pro Touring
These rear suspension kits vary by application, but all of them use a Chassisworks g-Bar with a coilover conversion. Sway bars are included on some kits.
Rear Applications:
1955-57 Chevy
1967-81 Camaro/Firebird
1964-72 Chevelle and GM A-body
1968-72 Mopar B-Body
1970-74 Mopar E-Body
1958-64 Impala
1978-87 Monte Carlo and GM G-body
1964-70 Mustang/Cougar
1962-79 Nova (GM X-Body)
Source:
Chris Alston Chassiworks
888-388-0297
www.CAChassisWorks.com
Classic Performance Products (CPP)
Complete Performance Package
CPP's bolt-on package includes Totally Tubular control arms, front and rear performance springs, front and rear sway bars, front and rear Black Magic performance-tuned shocks, and upgraded spindles (varies per application). Early Nova and Mustang kits feature MINI Sub-Frame, a 400 Series performance steering box, and includes CalTracs traction bars.
Applications:
1964-70 Mustang
1967-70 Cougar
1955-57 Chevy
1959-64 GM fullsize
1962-79 Nova
1967-78 Camaro/Firebird
1964-72 Chevelle/El Camino and GM A-body
Source:
Classic Performance Products (CPP)
800-830-9297
www.ClassicPerform.com
Currie Enterprises
CurrieTrac Rear Suspension
Currie's billet aluminum lower control arms and adjustable upper control arms are built with Currie Johnny Joint rod ends and feature 30 degrees of articulation.
Applications:
1964-72 GM A-body
1959-64 Impala
1978-87 GM G-body
Source:
Currie Enterprises
714-528-6957
www.CurrieEnterprises.com
Global West
GM Category 5 G-Plus
Global West's comprehensive system includes tubular control arms with Del-a-lum bushings, 1.125-inch sway bar, centerlink for correcting bumpsteer, inner and outer tie-rod ends with adjusting sleeves, QA1 adjustable shocks, 1-inch drop springs, spindles with brake system fully assembled, and braided stainless steel lines.
Applications:
1967-69 Camaro/Firebird (Category 5)
1964-72 Chevelle/El Camino and GM A-body
Ford Negative Roll G-Plus
Ford systems includes tubular control arms with Del-a-lum bushings; adjustable ride height single-, double-, or non-adjustable coilovers; billet upper shock mounts; shock tower supports; and a sway bar.
Applications:
1964-70 Mustang
1967-70 Cougar
1970-77 Maverick/Comet
1968-71 Torino/Ranchero
1960-65 Falcon/Ranchero
Source:
Global West Suspension Components
877-470-2975
www.GlobalWest.net
Detroit Speed & Engineering (DSE)
Speed Kit
It varies by application, but most DSE Speed Kits include tubular control arms, a coilover conversion kit with DSE/JRi aluminum body coilover shocks with “Detroit Tuned” valving, front sway bar, DSE 600 steering gearbox with a rag joint and pitman arm, DSE tie rod adjuster, and inner and outer tie-rod ends with idler arm. Rear kits include DSE leaf springs (2- or 3-inch drop) with a heavy-duty shackle kit, or control arms and coil springs, and Koni Classic shocks.
Front and Rear Applications:
1967-81 Camaro/Firebird
1968-74 Nova
1964-77 GM A-body
1978-88 GM G-body
Source:
Detroit Speed & Engineering
704-662-3272
www.DetroitSpeed.com
Hot Rods To Hell
Stage 3 Front
Hot Rods To Hell makes some robust suspension bolt-ons, and this front kit includes fabricated control arms, springs, shocks, sway bar, Wilwood Superlite brakes up to 14 inches with six-piston calipers, and a 12:1 Delphi power steering box.
Applications:
1967-69 GM Camaro/Firebird
1968-72 Nova
1955-57 Chevy
1964-72 Chevelle/El Camino and GM A-body
1982-88 Metric G-body
Centerdrive Truckarm rear
This parallel truck-arm–style suspension is similar to those used in NASCAR and includes springs, shocks, and a Panhard bar spec'd to the application. Besides the applications listed, HRTH can custom build kits for almost anything.
Applications:
1967-81 Camaro
1964-77 Chevelle
1978-88 G-body
1962-73 Nova
1955-57 Chevy
Source:
Hotrods To Hell
530-365-6561
www.HotRodsToHell.net
Reilly Motorsports
Alter-K-tion Front
The bolt-in coilover K-member kit from Reilly Motorsports (RMS) includes tubular control arms, Viking coilover shocks, rack-and-pinion steering conversion, custom Mustang II–style spindles, and a 1.0625-inch sway bar. Specify engine type when ordering.
Applications:
1962-76 Mopar A-Body
1962-72 Mopar B-Body
1970-74 Mopar E-Body
Street-Lynx Rear
RMS's triangulated four-bar system easily eliminates the stock leaf-spring setup with no cutting and only minor welding. Includes Viking double-adjustable coilovers mounted ahead of the axle and fits the stock gas tank and off-the-shelf TTI tailpipe kits.
Applications:
1962-76 Mopar A-Body
1962-72 Mopar B-Body
1970-74 Mopar E-Body
Source:
Reilly Motorsports
570-443-7440
www.ReillyMotorsports.com
QA1
Pro Coil System
QA1's tubular control arms and K-members are bolt-in coilover conversions with double-, single-, or non-adjustable shocks that are available with five spring rate options. Tubular arms add 3 to 4 degrees of caster and 0.5 to 1 degree of negative camber and are available in street or race versions with low-friction ball joints.
Applications:
1955-57 Chevy
1964-72 Chevelle/El Camino and GM A-body
1967-81 Camaro/Firebird
1962-67 Nova
1967-72 Mopar A-Body (control arms only)
1962-72 Mopar B-Body (control arms only)
1962-72 Mopar E-Body (control arms only)
K-Member
QA1's bolt-in Mopar K-member is designed to be easy and affordable, while providing improved geometry over stock. A tubular steel K-member drops weight from the front while creating more room for headers.
Applications:
1967-72 Mopar A-Body
1966-72 Mopar B-Body
1970-74 Mopar E-Body
Source:
QA1
800-721-7761
www.QA1.net
Hotchkis
Total Vehicle System
It varies by application, but all TVS kits include retuned Hotchkis drop springs, shocks, and sway bars. Most applications also include geometry-corrected tubular control arms.
Applications:
1967-81 Camaro/Firebird
1964-78 Chevelle/El Camino and GM A-body
1968-74 Nova
1978-88 Monte Carlo and GM G-body
1966-70 Mopar B-Body
1967-76 Mopar A-Body
1970-74 Mopar E-Body
1964-66 Mustang
Source:
Hotchkis Sport Suspension
888-735-6425
www.Hotchkis.net
Ridetech
Stage 3
RideTech offers the Stage 3 kit in either air or coilover shocks, and includes a MuscleBar sway bar, and StrongArm control arms. If applicable, it also includes the RidePro AirPod and digital fully programmable electronic control.
Applications:
1955-57 Chevy
1967-81 Camaro/Firebird
1964-72 Chevelle/El Camino and GM A-body
1969-70 Impala
1962-74 Nova
1978-88 Monte Carlo and GM G-body
1966-70 Mopar B-Body
1970-74 Mopar E-Body
1964-70 Mustang
1960-64 Galaxie
1961-70 Cadillac
Source:
RideTech
812-482-2932
www.RideTech.com
Total Control Products
Front Coilover Conversion
This coilover suspension system is just for Fords and includes TCP's TrueCenter pivot sockets and tubular suspension control arms. The offset-pivot-shaft option enables relocation of the upper-control-arm pivot axis for improved camber gain geometry without the need to drill holes.
Applications:
1960-67 Comet
1967-73 Cougar
1964-71 Cyclone
1966-71 Fairlane
1960-70 Falcon
1970-77 Maverick/Comet
1968-71 Montego
1964-73 Mustang
1968-71 Torino
1960-71 Ranchero
G-Bar Canted Four-Bar
TCP's rear four-bar suspension has three combinations of adjustable upper and lower link bars with a choice of coilover or air-spring shocks. The shock mounts provide 4.5 inches of ride height adjustment. Can be used with a vehicle-specific bolt-in housing or original rearend.
Applications:
1964-70 Mustang/Cougar
Source:
Total Control Products
888-388-0298
www.TotalControlProducts.com
Total Cost Involved
Performance Torque Arm
Stretching the concept of a bolt-on, TCI's rear coilover conversion gets the job done with integrated subframe connectors. The Torque Arm features a telescoping slider at the front of the arm to prevent binding. This works with your original rearend, or it can be purchased with a prepped housing.
Applications:
1964-70 Mustang/Cougar
1967-69 Camaro/Firebird
1962-74 Nova
Source:
Total Cost Involved (TCI)
800-984-6259
www.TotalCostInvolved.com
Polyurethane Bushings
While most of these kits will include new bushings for the suspension parts, their effectiveness will be greatly reduced if your car still has worn or stock rubber bushings on the subframe or body mounts. Upgrading to polyurethane bushings will not only eliminate the wallowing from old bushings or soft rubber, they will make your new parts function to the peak of their ability. They should be considered a prerequisite for any sort of bolt-on suspension. Quality performance poly bushings from companies like Energy Suspension and Prothane are an affordable and highly effective upgrade! And yes, they are available in black.
Sources:
Energy Suspension
888-913-6374
www.EnergySuspension.com
Prothane
888-PROTHANE
www.Prothane.com
