S Front Suspension Swap

[Aircool]

What is the difference between the "S" suspension and the non "S" suspension. I often see people say that they have swapped for an "S" suspension on a non "S" car. Is it just the struts/caliper mounting or are there other differences? Any difference in the rear suspension? Just wondering.

Thanks,
Steve

[nick-moss]

With slight variations by model year all S cars had antiroll bars front and rear. Non S have just front bars. From 69 on any car could be optioned with rear the a/r bar. LWB Ss also had different front brake calipers, again they could be had as an option on T and E models. The suspension settings were common for T, E and S unless the comfort pack was fitted, comprising self levelling front struts on the E.

So to answer the question the only standard S difference was the rear a/r bar!

[pu911rsr]

I think quite a few of the early cars didn't have any roll bars. The caliper spacing for the S calipers is 3 1/2 " Vs the 3" for T calipers. That is why it is smart the swap out entire strut.

[mjmoran]

pu911rsr is correct, the main reason for swapping front struts is to get the "S", "A" or Carrera calipers to fit. T/E struts and all SWB struts have a 3" ear that will not accept the later(and better) calipers -- with the 3/5" spacing.

FWIW, one can easily do a complete suspension swap on SWB cars to add a later front suspension for better braking, handleing and all too. To do this you will need struts, A arms, Crossmember (go aluminum), and brake set.

[tfiv]

Michael, will the later "S" calipers fit behind my 4.5 fuchs?

[mjmoran]

Tom,

I have 3.2 Carrera calipers on mine...and they fit fine. Size wise there is not much difference between the two. You should even be able to fit turbo calipers in there if you wanted to. Just find yourself a nice used SC or Carrera complete front suspension. It is all easily reversable on your car, so no worries on that end either.

The rears are a different story and I am still working on a bracket or ?? to fit late model calipers and rotors on a SWB bananna arm. I hear that a later >69E brake assembly will fit a SWB car to allow a Carrera rotor. Have not tried it yet.

There is a thread here on PP to keep updated on this progress and more:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...B+brake+thread

Cheers,

[tfiv]

Michael, Thanks. I've got everything to do the job. I was thinking maybe I'd even rattle can the Bilsteins Koni orange to fool the nit pickers at first glance.!

[mjmoran]

Thats what I did...uh oh...hope they didn't hear that...

DE 1607 Chevrolet Red-Orange from Duplicolor is pretty darn close -- at least to my eye.

[tfiv]

Thanks! That was my next question.