What the deal with the front suspension?Why do people building Novas and other hot rods convert to this?

 

let's see..

So far as the early novas (up to 67), it gives you a much better suspension system and more room for a big block. Excellent choice. The stock suspension and steering in those cars was, how do I say it? Bad!!

For the 68 and up Novas and Camaros..

more money than sense
want the tube control arm look
want a rack and pinion
more clearance for headers
a little less weight
good alternative if the frame is rusted
better camber curve if the frame is designed right ( although you cam move the upper control arms down about 3/4" and achieve that on the stock frame)

For about the same money, you can do the same thing on a stock frame.

Fatman makes tubular control arms
Steeroids makes a rack and pinion bolt on kit
A couple places make coil over shock conversions, Superior Spindles being one
Plenty of aftermarket brake and spindle options
You can cut out the stock crossmember and replace with tubing

Comes down to personal preference and your checkbook.

 

Listen to texlurch; he makes good sense. (I'm still having trouble figuring what "texlurch" means. Maybe he's a Munster fan from TX?)

Mustang II components were designed for 2600-2800 lb cars. It scares me sometimes to see them used in cars wieghing 40-50% more, especially with 10 in brake rotors!

"more money than sense" is the operative phrase here, IMO.

 

In a nutshell, the Mustang II suspension is well designed and easily adaptable for many different platforms. Hence it's one of the, if not the most popular suspension system used for hot rods and older cars.