Front suspension

[That One Guy]

I am about to have my car backhalfed, and since I'm having that done, I thought I would have the front done too.
Who should I check out for getting one, I am wanting to get something good, but don't want to pay an outlandish price for it.
What should I get too.

I don't know much about them.

[abodyjoe]

what kinda of set up do you have in mind?

[That One Guy]

I was thinking about the rack and pinion style.

[abodyjoe]

well the alter-k-tion is the way to go in that dept.

[That One Guy]

what are my other choices, like types, and what's the difference

[rjsjea]

Backhalf???  As in full tubbed drag strip car (ladder bars/4link/inboard springs)??  Street car?? Pro-tour?? AutoXross??  Motor mounts/motor plate??

Budget dependant??  You can modify a stock K to use a Rack n Pinion....

Other options AlterK, magnum force, Cap, modified stock, street rod MustangII.....what's the plan for the car?? budget??


Sig pic is funny.....

[That One Guy]

backhalf for full strip, big motor, power, and tires

for the front, I don't want to spend a whole lot of money, if I don't have to. I want to be able to fit anything in there that I feel like putting in later.

I don't necessarily have a budget right now, I just hope to get the front end parts, and assembly for under $5,000 ?

[rjsjea]

For less than 5K you could get the AlterK or Mgmn force w/ brakes, steering, coilovers, etc....for less than 5k probably.  Call Bill.........he will give you the in's & out's of what works

I have an AlterK and prefer it over the Mgmn force because of the shock mount location and I have motor mounts. 

Mgmn force mounts the shocks in the factory spot where it was probably not intended to support the car's weight and requires a motor plate. 

Both get rid of the steeing box and torsion bars making for better clearance for headers.  Both will cut a weight of the front.....

Modifying a stock unit will work also.......other's here will know much more about that than I

[That One Guy]

thanks

[That One Guy]

well, alterKtion is about $3500, competition engineering is $2500.  I would like to find some other choices, but I would like to have more choices. Who else can I look at to find them, any help would be appreciated.

[rjsjea]

The AlterKtion will bolt in directly....the suspension geometry, steering components, motor mounts, etc.....is all figured out.  I dont know if you are doing the work yourself or paying someone but the mods needed to be done to a universal kit will cost

Check out magnum force racing / heidts / cap .......

The shop my car was in had a Heidts system for another car and we talked about using a similar setup, but it was gonna cost a few days labor to install it.......the AlterK ended up being cheaper in the end for me.

[68_Val_Sedan]

well, alterKtion is about $3500, competition engineering is $2500.  I would like to find some other choices, but I would like to have more choices. Who else can I look at to find them, any help would be appreciated.

you stated above that you wanted to spend 5K ... buy the alterkation and be done with it for about 3500 -4000 ... use the other grand on something else

[That One Guy]

I'm having the back half done by a "professional", and I'm wanting them to just do the whole thing. so I'll have a completely new frame and setup, I don't really want a bolt in. I like the set up, but, I'd prefer a set up that is all "one piece". If you understand what I'm getting at.
I'm already going to be paying for someone to do it, so I might as well get it done from bumper to bumper.
I'm also getting a full cage in it. Should I get the funny car cage too???

[Bill_Reilly]

So, can't you just get the race front clip from the same place you're getting the back? For a light drag car, the weld-in stuff is on every street corner...

[440WIP]

If you look at page 116 in the July 2008 copy of Mopar Muscle you will see that Barton & Bryce are teaming up to build a limited run of 50 1968 A-body packages. Read the spec offering and you will see that Alterkation is the preferred supplier for front suspension. That's a pretty ringing endorsement in my book, these are not low buck builds. Maybe it's just me, but a bolt in that fits and works the first time around sounds a heck of a lot easier to work with than a back yard build from the local pro.........and I'm not hacking on him - it just strikes me that you want to re-invent the wheel. From what you've described - labour seems to be your biggest expense. $3500.00 for the front end as a plug & play makes perfect sense over the pain of building and dialling in an unknown element. I won't swear on my grandmothers grave, but I believe that Alterkations only come for Mopars - they're not a fitzall like the others that require a sawzall to install. However, having put in my .03 cents(inflation adjusted ) I applaud any decision you make, because it's your car your way. Please post pics when the time comes - love to see them.
Regards, Daryl

[That One Guy]

Bill, I can't get the front from the same place because the back half was bought by someone else, and they didn't use it, I got an amazing price on it.

About the "plug and play", I like the idea, if I was doing it myself, and would definately do it too, because I have heard nothing but good about it, but....... it is $1000 more.  and since I am having someone do it for me I'd like to save the grand to pay towards the installation, because someone else is already doing it, and I will have to pay for installation anyways.
Barton endorsing anything is good, very good. I'm just not able to do it myself, I'm not really in the area.

Thanks for the suggestions, they are appreciated, I just don't have all the options I wish I had right now.

I will post pics, or my parents will, because I'm not able to take them, I'll definately get lots of pics in Nov when I'm home

[rjsjea]

Does the shop bill by the hour?? 

AlterK install time                ==1/hr
Universal kit install time        ==25+ hrs

25+/hrs x shop rate=  $$$

Not trying to be a D$*k but.....I went thru the same process as you with my car.

Are you gonna run skinnies on the front??  Track width will need to be addressed with the Universal kits also

[That One Guy]

I am running skinny tires, and I haven't picked a shop yet, I guess that will help in a decision too. I'll have to check when my dad finds someone for me, and go from there.

I still would like to know who else sells front suspensions, please.

[Bill_Reilly]

In weld-on, there's all the normal places - Alston ChassisWorks, S&W, Art Morrison, and a host of other racecar suppliers. If I went with a weld-in clip, I'd probably call Morrison, simply because his reputation for being helpful and friendlly far exceeds the other places.

[That One Guy]

well, I'm using local guys back home