Anyone have a rough idea the cost (69 Camaro) to convert a back half ladder bar to a 4 link, as well as swap the 12 Bolt for a Ford 9" in the process?

Adding in new shocks/spring, wheelie bars, driveshaft etc...


Thank You

parts and labor $5K to $15K depending on who is doing the work and whether they are buying a kit or fabricating the parts.

We are doing the same job now but reusing our shocks, brakes and no wheelie bars. We are doing it all ourselves and expect the job to run around 4000

Way to many variables you can spend 10 grand on just rear end

15 years ago, MPR got $30K for a 4 link back half.

Ed,

Talked to Mike P. after posting this. You were nearly spot on regarding cost. He mentioned anywhere between 6-15K just in labor. He didn't think it was worth the cost over the current ladder bar setup. 6-10K to replace with new ladder bars, complete rearend and shocks/springs.

I wholly trust Mike's opinion

In a door car average weight a ladder bar car can work very good. In many ways the ladder bar cars are easier to tune the chassis.
One thing you need to be aware of is good shocks is more critical with ladder bars to make them work really good. Actually good shocks are pretty important with any hard hitting car.
Extension dampening makes a big difference on how the car hits the tires. A four link has many more adjustments and possibilities but not all of them are better.

Are you having any real problems with the ladder bars? Do you have any good video to see what the car is doing? With good video if you can figure out what is going on you can make a plan to resolve the problem.

Unless you are having any real problems with ladder bars and you simply can not resolve them with shocks or other adjustments I would keep the ladder bars. Then if you have money burning a hole in your pocket More horsepower.

quote:

Originally posted by J69:
Ed,

Talked to Mike P. after posting this. You were nearly spot on regarding cost. He mentioned anywhere between 6-15K just in labor. He didn't think it was worth the cost over the current ladder bar setup. 6-10K to replace with new ladder bars, complete rearend and shocks/springs.

I wholly trust Mike's opinion

As you should, none better in the country for stock/super stock type cars.

Curly1, Car works well with the current ladder bar setup thankfully. Just hasn't been updated in awhile and was curious, so I reached out to Mike P. after my post. I'm all set


Thank You

A lot of races won over the years and still being won with ladder bars and will continue.