Suspension for some serious HP

[softballnrd27]

Well good news is I will be able to get a turbo sooner than I thought so I need to start getting my suspension/chassis up to par on my 85 SWB. I am going with a Borg Warner ST80 modified by Forced Inductions that should give me anywhere from 650-800 rwhp depending on tune and how much boost I run. I want it to hook so I plan to get a cage installed, trailing arm rear suspension(easier than 4-link) with coil overs and I am not sure what to do up front. Can I stay with stock suspension, just beefed up? Truck should weigh in around 3600-3800 depending on what I move around or take off. I will still drive it on the street so it needs to be up to that. If you have coil-overs in the rear, did you fab that up yourself? Does anyone have pics or a write-up? What about sway bars?

[swb85]

Shoot, there's guys going FAST with leaf springs & cal-tracs.......

[softballnrd27]

I got the rear, and I have thought about caltracs too but I really like the trailing arm. The front is killing me, but once again I am probably overthinking it. I know this isn't the best comparison but a guy with a similar build, him 346 vs 390 me, same ST80 turbo, th400, he weighs in at 3050(90 Mustang Coupe) and on 16lbs of boost is running 9.80 at 145mph. I should be able to get my aeronomically challenged brick into the high 10s to low 11s if I can get it to hook. I really want to do it as safe as possible too. I am rebuilding the frontend with a PST polygraphite kit already and probably dropped spindles with the appropriate springs. Right now it feels like it "floats" instead of grabbing the road.

[softballnrd27]

Do you think there is a need for me to box my frame?

[kpeztruck]

If you run a full cage with the front bars that attach the dash bar to the front of the frame, and also the rear kickers, you should not have to box your frame. If you are set on running the stock front suspension, contact Moroso with your front weight when done, and get some trick springs to fit a Chevelle. You may have to cut very little to get the ride height you are after. Be careful, because they will settle (sag) initially after install. Then call QA1, and ask for the Stockerstar R series to fit in the stock location for shocks. This will give you adjustability on rebound/extension only, as compression in preset stiff.
If you are not dead set on your factory suspension, see how much the truck weighs built, and consider the system that myself, and Southeast Hotrods is putting together. Awaiting the jigs to be finalized to start production. Please look for advertisement here, when they are available. Thanks, Paul Baxter

[Super73]

No need to box the frame. I think you can reach your goals (high 10's low 11's) on stock suspension with the power you are mentioning. The nice thing is you can ramp your power in with the turbo set up so you could leave a little softer if you had to / wanted to. The numbers in my sig were run at 3,525lbs with 449rwhp NA and the N20 pass was with 100hp worth of N20, and that was rolling in to the throttle with a slower 60' by almost a tenth (.07x)

I'd suggest putting it together and go test it a couple times at the track before changing the front suspension much if any. See what it needs.

[softballnrd27]

I think I am going to go with SWB85 and Super73 and keep the stock set-up and just add cal-tracs and whatever is needed for the front.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by softballnrd27

I think I am going to go with SWB85 and Super73 and keep the stock set-up and just add cal-tracs and whatever is needed for the front.

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[nxtruck]

Originally Posted by softballnrd27

I think I am going to go with SWB85 and Super73 and keep the stock set-up and just add cal-tracs and whatever is needed for the front.

I think that this is a wise move.