1968 Camaro Suspension Upgrade - Back To The Future II

It's time to install the coilover units. Install the springs onto the coilover shock onto the adjustable lower spring seats. Since this is an "open coilover" and the spring is loose on the top, it is important that it be seated properly up into the upper spring socket. It is very simple, as the socket is notched to fit the end of the spring.

Now bring up the lower control arm and install the coilover to the socket in the arm. These arms are made for coilovers, so the crossbar on the coilover sits right onto its mount on the arm. Install the included bolts upright with the nuts on top. Tighten into place.

The tops of the coilovers are studs, just like the original shocks. The washer and lower half of the bushing should have already been installed on the coilover studs. Place the top bushing half and washer on the stud, and tighten the nut until it seats on the shaft.

These aren't just any old dropped spindles. Here you can see the difference between the stock spindle and Heidt's 2-inch dropped spindle. Along with the drop, the upper ball joint is raised 1 1/2 inches. This change greatly enhances the cornering of the car by changing the camber characteristics, which keeps the tire patch in full contact with the pavement.

So far so good. Now, here's the moment you have been waiting for. Place the new dropped spindles onto the ball joints of the lower control arms. Don't forget the boots!

Clean up your stock steering arms, and bolt them in place on the new spindles using the included hardware.

Install the tie rod ends into the steering arms and secure with the castle nuts and cotter pins. If you use narrowed arms you will also have to shorten your tie rod sleeves or purchase short ones from Heidt's. Stock-width arms use the stock sleeves.

Here is the complete suspension installed. You can see that the raised upper ball joint changes the angle of the upper arm, which genuinely improves the handling of this '60s car. Five g's, here we come!

Now it is time to turn our attention to the disc brake assembly part of our installation. Wilwood makes a direct bolt-on disc brake kit for these cars. It uses a three-piece rotor that you need to assemble. First install the new lugs into the hubs.

Next comes the rotor hat. Attach the hat to the hub and torque to specs provided. Wilwood includes an exploded diagram of how the rotors are to be assembled and the torque specs for the all the hardware. Always read the instructions.