Sunday, November 5, 2017

Can I fully sort out the chassis geometry myself?

After following Ron Sutton online for months, I decided to use some knowledge I had been gleaning, and redesign my whole front end geometry.  I bought Performance Trends Suspension Analyzer software, and spent many hours working on double a-arm front geometry.  I tried simulations with the C-5 spindles and a arms I already had.  I came to realize that my a-arms were far too short to create a modern, high travel suspension.  I tried simulations with aftermarket, circle track a-arms.  These were a little better, but then I concluded that the spindles were not ideal either.  After tweaking those, I found my steering rack would not work.
So, I decided to call Ron and see what he suggested.  This is now summer of 2014, and Ron is starting to make and sell his own parts.  He suggested a whole new front clip, and for me to weld it onto my current doglegs.  I only needed to provide him measurements of my current doglegs, and the Buick 455 motor.





A lot of the measuring centered around the external oil "scavenger" system that is sometimes used on higher end Buick builds.





And, a couple of months later in November, a crate arrives with the custom designed clip, including upper and lower a-arms, spindles, steering rack, tie-rods, better Wilwood brakes, etc.

No comments:

Post a Comment