biscayne_brett
Forum Newbie
Posts: 4
Loc: Pearl River, LA
Reg: 07-15-12
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07-15-12 06:51 AM - Post#2248345
I have a 58 Biscayne that is all original. I want to upgrade the suspension but can't afford the cost of the suspension kits in the catalogs. Does anyone know whether a later model Chevelle or Impala (with disc brakes) is close enough in wheelbase width and frame width to transfer the front suspension to the 58?
Thanks!
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sweetsoul
Forum Newbie
Posts: 39
Age: 40
Loc: Liberty SC
Reg: 04-04-12
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07-15-12 07:11 AM - Post#2248350
In response to biscayne_brett
im gonna cut the front section off mine and replace it with a 76 camaro front section i have.that way i have power disc brakes and power steering , and better front end geometry. also can run a bigger sway bar.when i get to it it will be posted under 59 biscayne in bad shape.i measured the track width and it is the same.
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Ndee
Contributor
Posts: 116
Loc: Hamburg, Germany
Reg: 08-14-10
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 07-15-12 07:42 PM - Post#2248549
In response to sweetsoul
cut off front section??? are you kind of nuts??? there is an easier way to make your car completely worthless: get it shredded at next junkyard!
| 1958 Chevy Brookwood, V8 350, 6P |
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 Grey
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 152
Loc: Norway
Reg: 08-02-05
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07-16-12 05:19 AM - Post#2248644
In response to sweetsoul
sweetsoul, i personally believe you need to think twice here. If modern handling is that important you might consider a different car althogether. I dont think a front clip from a 76 camaro is gonna do much difference, construction wise its similar.
If you are dedicated to stick with the 59 i think you can improve things quite a bit through lowering, stiffer coil springs, harder bushings, stiffer shocks, stiffer body mounts and dedicated tires. in addition you can mount a sway bar to the rear axle which makes a big improvment. Make sure everything is tuned properly and tight.
My 59 Elcamino is pretty worn in the suspension department and yet it impresses me with how tight it feels on the road. Not at all like other 50´s cars i have driven which feels nice but very "floaty" on the road. In my experience the 59 isnt like that at all when everything is tight even with stock components.
That said, you are of course free to go whichever direction you feel is right for you, just my 2c :-)
1959 Chevrolet ElCamino
1959 Chevrolet Biscayne
1965 Pontiac Bonneville |
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Delray_58
Contributor
Posts: 668
Loc: Scotts Valley, CA
Reg: 03-20-10
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07-16-12 06:45 AM - Post#2248672
In response to Grey
I completely agree. I was able to make mine handle quite good--for a '50's car--with gas shocks, stiffer (and cut lower) springs, a heavy sway bar, new bushings, CPP power steering, CPP disk brakes, and a better tire/rim combo. I kept all my A arms, spindles, tie rod, and geometry from original. You would be surprised how well it handles, and I did these swaps one at a time over the course of a few years as time and money allowed.
If yours is all original, you'll find that each improvement above will make a very significant difference and there are plenty of kits available to take this one step at a time without having to cut or weld a single thing. Maybe drill out a hole or two, but no cutting or welding.
Don't forget about the rear. The same treatment on the rear will yield nice results.
Keep asking questions. Lots of us have done these conversions before, and the advice is free!
'58 Delray 283 3-speed
In the family since new |
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biscayne_brett
Forum Newbie
Posts: 4
Loc: Pearl River, LA
Reg: 07-15-12
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07-16-12 07:38 AM - Post#2248694
In response to Delray_58
Delray_58, I am after the same goal as you, but am looking for an inexpensive way to get there. My biscayne is all original with 95 thousand miles. The former owner redid all the brakes, engine, radiator and some more. I have priced the original suspension and steering parts as well as the upgrade kits from various sources. We have herds of "u pull it" junkyards nearby, and and if I could find a similar size 70's or 80's car, I could upgrade to disc brakes and power steering for the same price as simple replacements of control arm bushings and tie rod ends. Mine is a four door, and I'm not trying to make it into a 1,000 horsepower machine. Thanks for the good advice, though. If I can't find a donor car the right size, I will go through the upgrade process with the high end kits. I DO NOT intend to cut the frame, just replace the components. Thanks!
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biscayne_brett
Forum Newbie
Posts: 4
Loc: Pearl River, LA
Reg: 07-15-12
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07-16-12 08:36 AM - Post#2248715
In response to sweetsoul
Thanks, Sweetsoul. Did you check whether the frames are the same width apart? I would like to transfer all the suspension components without cutting the frame.
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