I just started restoring my 79 and I looking for some suggestions on how I should set it up. I plan on using it as an everyday driver in the months without snow here in Ohio. I just rebuilt the 350 in it to about 325 hp. I have an automatic turbo 350, with a 10 bolt with 2.73 gears. One of my next steps is to put a posi back in it with 3.42 or 3.73 gears. I would also like to put disc breaks on the back. Any suggestions on what to do with the suspension. I know I just go and buy the Hotchins total package, but is it really worth it. What would the Hotchins upper control arms do for me?

I just finished what you are considering, Hotchkis full suspension on both the front and rear, Baer disc brakes all around and dropped in a 3.42 posi from a Grand National. Performance increase over the 2.73 is VERY noticable with an increase of about 500 rpm on the highway( 3000 rpm at 75 mph), this I can live with. Brakes worked well, really didn't notice much of a change in daily driving until I installed a Hydraboost system, now it will really stop when you need it. The Hotchkis suspension with the Bilstein shocks and air bags firms up the ride, not harsh at all. Is it really worth it, that's a hard one to justify, lets just say I'm happy with the complete set up and wouldn't want to go back to stock.

Any aftermarket rear suspension pieces you purchase is money well spent, however investing any money into the the 7.5" guts will probably be wasted depending how you abuse it with that 325 hp 350. You would be better off finding a 8.5 to install in your Elky.

Thanks for the reply guys. How much abuse can a 7.5 take? I was looking at an Eaton Posi with some 3.73 Richmond gears. How tall of tire are you running on the 3.42 to get 3000 RPM @ 75mph? Is there an easy 8.5 swapt from another car? How much fabrication is involved? What is the difference from the 7.5 and the 8.5? I'm also looking at getting some 16" Torque Thust II's. What kind of backspacing and tire size will work with the 1" drop with the Hotchkin's suspension and that size rims. I want to get the same size tire all around. Any suggestions? This site is sweet. I have this questions in my head all the time. I drive my wife nuts.....It nice to hear what some knowledgeable people think.

How tall of tire are you running on the 3.42 to get 3000 RPM @ 75mph?
Rear's are 28"-275/60r15 but it's also a 396 so maybe not a totally fair comparison

Is there an easy 8.5 swapt from another car? How much fabrication is involved? What is the difference from the 7.5 and the 8.5?

Buick Grand National or Olds 442 are a direct bolt in-all you need to do is shorten your driveshaft 1". You'll need to work very hard to destroy an 8.5", never heard yet of anyone grenading one!

It is possible to do Vette suspension under the Gen 5's. I did the install on my '78 that's currently for sale in the classifieds. You'll need a good fabricator and a healthy wallet to do it properly. The Vette suspension hooks up great and you can even get it with a Dana 44, which is about a bulletproof as you are going to find. If you don't want to go that far, I have also done the Grand National setup with 3:42' and the 1LE Camaro PBR rear calipers. They have a cable operated e-brake system so you actually have an e-brake. That is somewhat unusual for disc brake conversions!
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n114/kern-o/Susp2.jpg