Corvette suspension on old mopars.

To be honest, I’m thinking the 41’ Plymouth is going to be my next project when my Cuda and Charger is finished. I was thinking some of the gen 4/5/6 corvette suspension and brakes offer in kits would be good swap onto the car. Was wondering if anyone has done that with their car. Sun frame clips were all the rage with camaro/nova/Firebird/corvair 30+ years ago, but the thought of better suspension options, upgrades and even brakes makes it really tempting. Post what you know.

as a thought, have you considered a complete chassis that utilizes the vette suspension[s] ?
i think Swartz [?] may be one company that does those.

I used Speedway Motors G/Comp front suspension on my last build. Uses Corvette front brakes. I built the chassis and used triangular four link with coil over shocks in the rear. Something to think about. Photo didn’t attach on first try

This chassis went under a 1948 Federal Motors Truck.

pictures or it didn't happen !

Photos didn’t attach fist time the are there now. A couple from the rear.

Finished

I have an article that has a bolt in kit for the vet parts, and they build to specs, which is a simpler way of doing it. I’ll post the link and article when I get home tonight.

cool different truck you won't see every day !

found the link.

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/bolt-corvette-irs-suspension-project/

https://rick486.wixsite.com/dobbertinperformance/installation-instructions

I wonder if it would be possible adapt the entire vette frame and suspension to the 41.

Someone with fabrication skill could do it, the kit just narrows a stock corvette cradle and adjustment points. If I was to call them and ask, they might have an answer.

I'm thinking the Corvette frame is going to be pretty short for the 41 Plymouth and suspension is probably going to be too wide. The short frame isn't too hard to overcome, but too wide causes a lot of problems. That 41 Plymouth has pretty close to a 60" wheel mounting surface width, I suspect the Vette is several inches wider.

Wide body 41 Plymouth?

I guess if that is what the owner wants, I say he should go for it.

I'm thinking the Corvette frame is going to be pretty short for the 41 Plymouth and suspension is probably going to be too wide. The short frame isn't too hard to overcome, but too wide causes a lot of problems. That 41 Plymouth has pretty close to a 60" wheel mounting surface width, I suspect the Vette is several inches wider. [/quote]

Wide body 41 Plymouth? [/quote]

I guess if that is what the owner wants, I say he should go for it. [/quote]

No, not what I want. If you were to read the article, the cradle can be narrowed to the same width as the Plymouth. My concern is mainly on how to mount it properly so it works as intended.

Your 41's frame is similar to my 51 Plymouth's.

Anything can be made to fit, but you are going to be removing the welded in front cross member and probably have to flatten and raise the front rails.

Yep, its a cut and weld process. You cut off what you don't need, and weld on the new stuff.

I didn't read the article, and don't intend to, there is nothing about a Vette that interests me.I would probably go towards a modern Charger suspension over a Vette anything.

Straight and true are always the 1st concerns. Finished ride height is the next challenge. The Plymouth frame sits up pretty high off the ground, the Corvette frame sits a lot lower then the Vette frame, you may end up placing the Plymouth frame on top of the Vette frame to get a serviceable driver, but if you are using both the front and the rear Vette frame sections that support the Vette suspension, you may be better off the just extend the length of the Vette frame. Then all you need to be concerned about would be how to attach the Plymouth to the Vette frame. They are very different.

You should have read the article.

It's essentially a cradle you'll bolt to the existing frame, suitably modified of course.

Its still a Vette system (or pretends to be), one of 3 or 4 different versions, none of which impress me enough to install under a different vehicle. I would probably be way less impressed with a system that has been narrowed to "fit" more vehicles .I've seen enough poorly designed "kits" to not have a desire to look at another one, let alone do the work required to make most of these "kits" function.

I've modified frames and bolted the old Mopar cross torsion bar cradle onto different vehicles back when that was the thing to do, as well as more then a few other specially built cradles that were suppose to bolt onto your existing frame. In most cases, you cut off the existing front (or rear) frame, and build something to hold the cradle.

The OP asked what we knew. I've responded. I've actually done this stuff with vehicles that have actually been driven, and have been called in to help several get a "kit" to go down the road safely.

Its a lot of work for the small amount of improvement you probably wouldn't notice, unless your taking up road racing or parking lot timed events. For something street driven, those fancy sub frames only add to the cost for very little (if any) noticeable improvement.

at one time, wasn't there an AMC front suspension that was the "bolt on of the month" setup to use because it had rack and pinion steering ?
that popped into my mind for some reason...........

There have been a lot of "kits" over the years. At best, most were considered another possible option, but not necessarily an improvement, unless what was originally there is gone or total junk.

What seems to be missing is that a 41 Plymouth actually has a decent front suspension. It was cutting edge tech that was light years ahead of anything else built at the time. Most parts are still available, and with a few modifications and brake upgrades, still works pretty well in this day and age. Adding power steering is the most difficult process and I suspect a modern power steering box could be adapted easier then adding the Vette subframe.

If the major parts of the original suspension are present, and the frame is still good, a few modifications and brake upgrades will provide a great driver with a great ride. Its easy to lower, and can be beefed up if better performance is wanted. The added benefit is the front sheet metal still will bolt on without having to create something to support it.

Do you know who Rick Dobbertin is?

Why should I care?

The reason I was considering the vette kit was:
Ease of instillation.
Parts availability.
Functionality.
Upgradable components.

All work for the next two years has to be farmed out, so anything that does not more than basic work will be going to a shop. If I could afford to buy a whole frame done and slide it under, I would do it. This is a viable option for me.

You do you. it is your ride not mine. When you are paying someone to do the job, it does make sense to buy all new stuff.

I'm a retired welder by trade, I don't farm this kind of stuff out, so my perspective is different then yours. You asked what we knew, and I told you what I know.

I am curious as to what you plan to do with the 41 when you are finished. The mentioned mod's sure look like a money pit.

Because your ignorance shines thru like a million watt search light.

I suggest you find out who he is.

Speaking only of the rear, years back, I had a C3 & C4 rear IRS on the shelf for a similar project, other than bragging rights, it was not a worthy upgrade IMO. My current path is a CTSV IRS, with some easy beefy upgrades to quell wheel hop issues, swap to Coilovers, and a complete center replacement with a full size IRS QC. For IFS I would just go with the Morrison offering.

Again, why should I care?

I have no interest in putting a modified Corvette suspension under a Mopar car or truck. Over the years I have seen dozens of modified Corvette suspension systems, all falling short of what GM originally did, which really didn't impress me to begin with. Whom ever this guy is, he has just made another attempt at "improving" something GM did to put under an over rated, over priced car. But you go ahead and spend your money, for the bragging rights if it makes you feel important.