I am hoping to get some opinions from those of you here who have personal experience dealing with some companies who sell suspension and steering components. Mostly I am looking for an entire front end kit with all new bushings, ball joins, tie rods, tie rod sleeves etc. I have looked at Hotchkis who seem very nice but much more expensive than MOOG and also see that P-S-T sells an entire front end kit and rear end bushing kit, also there is www.performancesuspension.com and Global West.

Any recommendations here on who to go with and what to stay away from? Performance Suspension seems like they have entire kits for a decent price but I never dealt with them. Pretty much what I am looking for is to get all new bushing, steering components and shocks for my 80 El Camino which is my daily driver. I want it to handle nicer than stock if possible and do not mind spending a little extra money for that such as poly graphite bushings or what not. I later plan to get a front and rear upgraded sway bar and tubular control arms front and back.

Thanks for you opinions and suggestions in advance! :You_Rock:

Try www.naparts.com/ I bought all new Moog steering linkage from them a lot cheaper than any local parts stores.

If you want the stock rubber bushings for the front suspension, use the Moog stuff. For the poly type bushings, there are several brands available. I used Energy Suspension poly bushings, and Moog steering and ball joint parts. I bought all that stuff from Summit, except the front springs.

if you use http://www.naparts.com/ , I just got a email from them you can use this code 26032172158385 for 5 percent off any order between now and
January 30,2011 anyone can use it and no limit on times it can be used.

I bought my complete steering and suspension parts from www.p-s-t.com (http://www.p-s-t.com) They have been in the car about nine years with no problems or squeaking. This included springs and sway bar and Edelbrock IAS shocks. I used the polygraphite bushings.

razor376, thanks for the code! I will see what I can find then! Where in NC are you located? I am near Charlotte, South Charlotte to be exact.
Camino80, How are those Edelbrock IAS shocks compared to KYB Gas A Justs? How much better does your Camino handle compared to stock? I hear that springs and shocks are the biggest thing to get right and that aftermarket springs and shocks are all different. From what I have read from track and pro touring guys is that some aftermarket springs are junk and you need the correct material used and correct spring rate to make your car handle turns well and work with your sway bar. I know there are much better bushings out there than Polygraphite but I can't afford them (Global West sells some). From what I read, Polygraphite will bind and limit your car from handling it's best but over stock they are a little better. I am not racing this vehicle on a track by any means, it's going to be my daily driver but I want it to handle very well and ride comfortably. I will possibly lower it an inch or two tops by drop spindles and lowered springs in the rear.
I need to get my butt in gear on this though because I noticed today something clinking around up front and my steering is very loose. I looked under the car and everything is just worn out and shot. I may buy stock A arms that are rebuilt already and just swap them out and paint them as well.

I may just go with naparts, p-s-t or Summit but just noticed Spohn Performance who sells all sorts of G Body suspension and Brake parts. Their prices seem pretty fair but how is their quality? I am trying to look at and compare every brand out there that I can before making a purchase.
Thanks again guys. :nanawrench:

Shawn,The Edelbrock work just fine for street use with the new suspension . I saw an article in Hot Rod ten years ago that used the PST suspension parts in conjunction with the shocks on a ElCamino They tested before an after and it was a marked improvement. The only other thing I added was a set of air bags in the rear springs. I haven't had any problems with the polygraphite bushings at all. The handling is great in comparison to what I had on a then twenty year old vehicle.I can take a tight off ramp from an expressway at 35 with a minimal amount of roll ,it sticks to the pavement like it was on a rail. One or two parts changes will help but a complete do over is needed to get the full results of a new car ride.
Don't neglect the brakes when you do the front end . They are just as important for a little piece of mind.It's bad when a car doesn't start but worse when it won't stop. Sorry, just an old guy rambling on.

Camino80, you are very correct. Currently I have a decent brake system but plan to redo the entire lines, stainless hoses, CPP oversized piston calipers, rotors and nice pads. As for the rear, it will stay stock for now, maybe next year I will do rear disc brakes to help make brake jobs a little easier.
I did find this kit from Speedway Motors that I plan to go ahead and buy: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1978-88-A-G-Body-Tie-Rod-and-Ball-Joint-Kit,35242.html

That is a MOOG front end kit for a very low price. I am also thinking about just swapping in some aftermarket tubular control arms up front (uppers and lowers). I am looking at Spohn, UMI and BMR Fabrications. I am not sure which to go with at all but did find a site www.byunspeed.com who has the cheapest prices so far on control arms and suspension parts. I am still searching and taking my time but that front end kit cannot wait. Today my steering got even worse and is very loose and clinking around. :let_it_all_out:

I have Global West A-arms. They are built like a tank..much beefier than hotchkis or speedway. Pricey-but worth the piece of mind during hard cornering.

Yeah, the Global West stuff seems like top of the line parts. If it's gonna get pushed hard, that's the way to go.

What is the opinion to using air bags from a heavy truck and completely removing the springs. Along with the installation of a LS series engine I am interested in the tried and successful method of rear suspension. I put a 9" rear end in my GTO and may go that direction with this El Camino. The truck is not a drag racer but I want to have respect when I want.