OK, so far i've completed and top end rebuild of my '60 Caddy and took her on the road for the first time since the late 70's (was resting in a barn since.) This weekend i've now completed the airbags, and she's now sitting pretty. Before the other traditionists get on me for 'fag bags'-- remember, Caddy's rode on air suspension since the 50's, and Caddy's should float on air anyway... For the rear, I used Firestone bags and fabricated mounts off the original coil spring mounts using pipe and plate steel. Still kept shocks on rear. In the front, I couldn't help but just bolt on the bags/mounts that Air Ride made-- which mounts in original shock/spring location. Although pretty damn expensive, figured i'd save my time in money rather than reinventing a wheel (which is more complex in the front.) Mounted 5 gallon air tank hidden under rear speaker tray, along with 3/8" solonoids for front and rear. Used all 3/8" DOT air line throughout. NEXT (in order over the next month - Need to fix rear trans leak and revive brakes (old lines are about to burst.) - Exhaust (duals out the back. thinking of either running straight or using Smithy's) - Paint (never could get paint skills i need, so Alex at Gambino Kustoms is doing it. I'm thinking white flaked top w/ darker blue suede bottom.) - Wide whites are on the way, and I found some '57 Caddy caps in great condition. Having fun. -scott noteboom
That looks awesome. How much do you think you spent on everything you used? Did you have to cut anything out for tire clearance?
Yikes, I hate to think about money spent.. I have about $2 grand into the whole suspension. As I mentioned, the air ride front didnt help on the price tag-- they name them "ShockWave" for a reason, as they were about a thousand bucks alone... The rear I have under 200 bucks into. The rest is in tank, compressor, solonoids, line. etc. I'd advise getting a good compressor. I got the ViAir 400 (I think thats the model #), which appears to work fine. You need the pressure up pretty high (120lbs+) before the front will raise with a heavy car like mine. As far as having to cut for tire clearance-- the answer is no, not yet. Hopefully that doesnt change with my white walls that are coming.
[This weekend i've now completed the airbags, and she's now sitting pretty. Before the other traditionists get on me for 'fag bags'-- remember, Caddy's rode on air suspension since the 50's, and Caddy's should float on air anyway... For the rear, I used Firestone bags and fabricated mounts off the original coil spring mounts using pipe and plate steel. Still kept shocks on rear. In the front, I couldn't help but just bolt on the bags/mounts that Air Ride made-- which mounts in original shock/spring location. Although pretty damn expensive, figured i'd save my time in money rather than reinventing a wheel (which is more complex in the front.) Mounted 5 gallon air tank hidden under rear speaker tray, along with 3/8" solonoids for front and rear. Used all 3/8" DOT air line throughout. NEXT (in order over the next month - Need to fix rear trans leak and revive brakes (old lines are about to burst.) - Exhaust (duals out the back. thinking of either running straight or using Smithy's) - Paint (never could get paint skills i need, so Alex at Gambino Kustoms is doing it. I'm thinking white flaked top w/ darker blue suede bottom.) - Wide whites are on the way, and I found some '57 Caddy caps in great condition. Having fun. -scott noteboom[/QUOTE] Scott, I just got my 60 caddy 2 door out for the first time this week. It too had been sitting since the early seventies. I put straight pipes on it and love the sound. We have straight pipes on all of mine and my sons car and this one sounds better than any of the others. Very mellow and not raspy at all. Your car is looking good!!! John
It looks great! I'm glad you did not have any issues with the Shockwaves, I put them on my 59 Caddy and they would not lift the car, without waiting 10min. And yes i also ran the 5 gal. tank. I had to switch to a larger dim. Shockwave. I real pain. The ones they said would work with the Caddy had issues. I told the rep. and he confirmed that they have had issues with the Caddys. Switched and fab up some new uppers and all is good. Anyway the car looks great. Are you running a 390?
Lookin good, it'll be even better when alex gets his hands on it i've seen his work and it blows me away!
Glad I had no problems with the Shockwaves. That said, its obvious that a lot of air pressure is needed to lift the weight. Yes, i'm running the original 390 motor. -scott
That cad looks kick a$$. Love it. And hell yeah on the 60's lookin better than the 59's. It's about time I hear somebody other than myself saying that!!! Can't wait to cut the coils on my rear. Can't afford the bag's yet, but it'll happen eventually. Once again.. love the look. Sweet ride. Keep up the good work. Oh and as for pipes. I just disconnected mine totally. Running straight out the manifolds. Loud as hell. I love it. I think straight pipes are in the future, as I have noticed "the fuzz" staring, and after parking at a deck today, it's friggin deafening in there. At least with straight pipes, the noise would be loudest behind me. I say.. straight pipez are goooood.
Looks good sitting on the ground. I think Clark is right, the 60's look cleaner than the 59's. Straight pipes all the way out the back will sound just right. That is what i had on my 60 El Camino and it was not too loud at all.
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