Hello to all. I'm a new member, Just want to thank everyone in advance for any help.
I just got a 67 fastback 289-4spd. I have a few things I want to do. I'm looking to pull the motor for a stoker later on (want SB427), But i need to do suspension first. I'm confused, i'd love to do airride, but to much $$$. What is the best bang for the buck, I'm not drag racing, i'm not auto crossing it. Just want to jump on it at a green light, and not have to slam on the brakes if the road turns, and I don't want it bouncing around. any help would be great, and who can I ask about stroker motors?

 

GT springs front and rear, 1" front sway bar, Traction Master (not the cheap fakes) rear control rods, Kayaba KYB-Gas-A-Just shocks, upper control arms relocated 1" lower (the "Shelby Arning Drop")

Arning/Shelby Suspension Drop

Why you so hot for a stroker engine? This is a 289 c.i.d.:

 

So no coil over tcp or rrs? Thinkin stroker due to the fact that the 289 is a little tired and I think it would be a lil more cost effective to just buy a turn key.

 

You said "best bang for the buck", and using a coilover or Mustang II setup is a waste of money if you are looking for "want to jump on it at a green light, and not have to slam on the brakes if the road turns, and I don't want it bouncing around".

The mods I suggested are basically what you'd find under that R-model in the photo if you could look. They had a couple more things, (such as Konis instead of KYB) but nothing you'd need on the street. It's in the air because it came up the hill so fast that it kept going up when the hill stopped. These cars had fairly stock suspensions, no exotic coilovers, etc. and they dominated SCCA B Production, humiliating such cars as Corvettes and Jaguars, both of which had very exotic suspensions.

 

Hi, as mentioned above these cars can drive quite nicely, especially with a few upgrades. Here's a nice beginner article:
http://home.bresnan.net/~dazed/suspension101

I've done the 1" Shelby/Arning drop and it helped the steering/roadfeel a lot. I also installed 1" drop 550 spring and 4 1/2mideye leafs in the rear to put the car level f/r and the 15" tires are about tread level with the fender lips which also improved handling and appearance. Other suspension improvements are DIY adj. strut rods, roller spring perches, one piece export brace and monte carlo bar. I haven't driven it since adding the roller perches or adj. strut rods but expect even better response/feedback.

I chose to keep my stock 289 and stroke it to 333ci (.040" over) but haven't installed it yet, expect a big improvement there also.
Good luck and post some pics, we love pics!
Jon

Edit: I have the KYB GR2's and the ride is firm but not punishing, hope to upgrade to Bilsteins or Koni as my experience and $ >, but for <$100 for all 4 the GR2's were a good buy and got me on the road. As below I've read the Gas-A-Justs can be very stiff but also seems to be a preference thing, some like them.

 

I prefer a little firmer ride than 2+2GT, so I went with mostly the same setup as Jonk. The ride is firm but not overly jarring, although I run Edelbrock IAS shocks as opposed to the super stiff Gas-A-Justs. The Shelby drop and roller perches made the most difference in handling and suspension response.

 

Sweet, thanks guys. I noticed that i have edelbrock shocks up front and air shocks in the back. The car sits so high in the front, and just above the tire in the rear. It has 17" Torque Thrusts that are getting torn up from rubbing the rear fenders. As for springs what rate should i go for? progressive better? Does future motor size matter? Hey starfury and jock how do you guys like your strokers?

 

If your rear tires are rubbing the fenders they are the wrong backspace, you need to correct that or at a minimum roll the fenders for a little more clearance. Whatever you do get those airshocks off as fast as possible and get under there with a bright light and check all the metal around the upper mounting point of the rear shocks and look carefully for any signs of stress cracks. Airshocks are a quick fix people use to keep the rear from compressing and rubbing tires but the upper mount was not meant to support the weight of the car. I had a '70 with almost no air in the shocks (20+yrs. ago, I've learned a lot since then) and they tore right though the upper mounts, I had to have a repair patch welded in. You will find plenty of stories about airshocks punching through.

I've never used the progressive springs but haven't heard anything bad about them either, I went with 1" drop 550 springs on the front and the ride is firm but not jarring (sporty). With the 1" Shelby/arning drop and 1" drop springs I sit level with my fender lip and 15" tires F/R.

My strokers sitting on the engine stand next to my car itching to get back in, it's killing me but I gotta fix a few more things before install. I think I'll be pleasantly amused when it's running again as it was just the stock <200hp 289 when I pulled it and could spin the tires then and had fun at the 1/8 track.
Jon

 

jon, thanks for that info, will do. As for the rear leaf springs what does it mean when people refer to mid eye and such?

 

This is a stock spring, with the eyes on the top:



This is a "mid-eye":



This is a "reverse eye":



By mid or reverse forming the eye, you can lower the car while maintaining proper spring arch.