From the magazine

Tech Spotlight: Joe’s ’69 Elco – Front Suspension Continued

Drive May 10, 2013 1969 69 El Camino a-body

Text and Photos by Mike Finnegan

Article

In Part 1 of this tech feature, you got some insights into a new attitude towards A-Body by taking a look at new suspension on Joe’s Elco. We started with the front suspension. Check out the final steps of the Front Suspension process. Be sure to check out Part 1 if you missed it and check back for the next installment of this tech spotlight!

The plan was to replace the worn-out suspension with new parts from McGaughy’s that would lower the car 2 inches up front and 1 inch in the rear. We also replaced the factory front drum brakes with a McGaughys 11-inch disc brake conversion. Hellwig anti-sway bars were added at both ends of the car to take the lean out during hard cornering, and new bushings were added all the way around so that we could align the suspension afterwards. The steering was loose as a goose, so new links were inserted into the system and the stock steering box was replaced with an ABS Brakes quick-ratio unit.

We also added an ABS power brake booster that’s designed to work with a modified engine that doesn’t make much vacuum at idle. Although Joe’s Elco has a stock engine, at some point we’ll give it a bit more power so the new booster is a welcome addition. We spent two days working on this car, and when we were finished the Elco cornered like it was on rails and stopped better than most new cars. Here is a look at the install.

FRONT SUSPENSION (continued)