Suspension Install?

[StngStlkr]

In the upcoming weeks/months I'm going to be looking at getting some suspension parts installed. Just wondering who you guys have had positive dealings with in the area. TIA.

[Ed]

A few of us have done plenty of F-Body suspension work. What do you have in mind?

[StngStlkr]

A few of us have done plenty of F-Body suspension work. What do you have in mind?

Most of the usual stuff. Shocks, springs, SFC's, LCA's, PHR, torque arm. That's about all I can think of right now. It pretty much covers the basics though. Any other items I should add? I'm not looking at auto-x, or even drag racing all that much, but I do want some better handling.

[Ed]

Okay, going from my experience, there are some things you do/don't need. Have you bought any of it yet? If not, here's what I'd recommend for a good street setup, and it's what I would've done had I known a little more then...

Sweet setup:
Springs: Eibach Pro-Kit
Shocks: Koni SA (front), Bilstein HD (rear) - OR Revalved Bilsteins in the front.
LCAs: G2 poly/rod
Sway bars: 35mm front/21mm rear is a good combination from what I understand.
Torque arm: G2, Spohn, BMR all make good adjustable ones.
PHR: G2 adjustable

Other people choose a different route... I've seen guys keep their stock springs (98-02 SS), use Koni SA front shocks (they have two spring perch mounts, so you can actually drop the front about an inch or so), put Bilstein HDs in back, and remove the rear spring isolators (also drops about an inch), swap sway bars, and that'll also improve handling quite a bit.

There's a lot to consider, really. Many different options.

[StngStlkr]

Yeah there really is a lot to consider. Thanks for the info Ed.

One route that I had thought about was using the SLP take-off shocks/springs and then upgrading everything else. I know that the SLP's are stock items, but the price is great and they would be an improvement over the worn out stock setup I have now.

[Ed]

What's your budget and objective (appearance, street, autox, or drag)? That should help.

[4U 2 NV]

Eds got it about down....

Also check Hotchkis on the LCA and PHR, and SFC.

I wouldnt bother with buying the take offs....save your money and get the bilsteins in the rear for now. they should be around 89-100 bucks a pop..maybe less on ebay..

Dont be affraid to buy used.hahaha

and that 35mm front sway bar is made by Suspension techniques and is about 150 bucks. Jegs can get you that and then get the 1LE rear 21 MM bar from SLP. ive seen these go for 60 bucks on ebay new.

BMR Torque arm is well priced.
and that all ican think of right now........

[StngStlkr]

What's your budget and objective (appearance, street, autox, or drag)? That should help.

My main objective is street with a little dragracing thrown in for good measure. I rarely make it to the track, but I want a setup that will help improve 1/4mi times while also providing a good everyday ride.

I'm also hoping to get this done within the next few months. Like 3-4 at the most. So my budget would be somewhat limited by the amount of time it takes to make the money...lol. I was going to try and keep it to $1000 or less depending on how much I spent on Christmas gifts, bills, etc. So that figure might be able to be increased after the holidays. Basically I want to upgrade from stock, retain the ability to use it as a comfortable daily driver, and be able to hook up at the track(the few times I go) better.

[4U 2 NV]

in that case i would not go with Eibachs or even hotchkis springs at that matter. go with the BMRs or actually i would just keep it stock height if you at all care about the drag strip...my 60fts. 330, 1/8 mile you name it times went down when i put eibachs on. some though dont see much of a drop on time with them. ask eddie he hated his for the track.

[Ed]

Actually... Here's what I'd do in your case.

Get a set of 1998+ SS/WS6 springs (I think Jonathan [Jon2001sc2] still has my old ones for sale. They're higher spring rate than Z28, but they're also soft enough for drag.

With those, get a set of Bilstein HDs for the rear and the Koni SAs for the front.

When you put the rear springs in, take out the rubber isolator (usually sits at the top of the spring). Also, when you put the fronts in, you can use the lower perch of the Konis. This'll give you a little bit of a drop, and the better shocks will really help out. You can probably get all this done for about $500, I'd imagine.

If you wanna spend a little more cash, look into the HAL QA1 springs/shocks combination. This is what Rob (02blackwingss) with the pewter SS is using. The shocks are designed more for drag than the Konis/Bilsteins, and have 12 adjustment settings. It also comes with matched springs, and the front coilovers can also be set to whatever ride height you want. This setup will be closer to $700.

Either one should be pretty nice for the street/strip.

[StngStlkr]

Thanks for all the info/suggestions so far. I've checked out the HAL's before, and they seemed really nice. Obviously pricier than the Koni's or Bilsteins, but you get what you pay for. Like I said, I don't drag race all that much, so everyday driving is my main concern. However, I would like a setup that will help my launches and keep the car more stable at the strip. Though anything better than stock should produce an improvement.

[LethalBird]

What's your budget and objective (appearance, street, autox, or drag)? That should help.

My main objective is street with a little dragracing thrown in for good measure. I rarely make it to the track, but I want a setup that will help improve 1/4mi times while also providing a good everyday ride.

I'm also hoping to get this done within the next few months. Like 3-4 at the most. So my budget would be somewhat limited by the amount of time it takes to make the money...lol. I was going to try and keep it to $1000 or less depending on how much I spent on Christmas gifts, bills, etc. So that figure might be able to be increased after the holidays. Basically I want to upgrade from stock, retain the ability to use it as a comfortable daily driver, and be able to hook up at the track(the few times I go) better.

The only way you will get the best of both worlds (drag and street) is by QA1 coil overs. They are 12 way adjustable so you can tune stifness and ride hight. There is no in-between........either drag or racing. If you put Eibach pro kit on your car, you can kiss your time at the track good bye.

[4U 2 NV]

i second that shitty track times after the eibachs

[Ed]

My 60's have actually improved somewhat after my suspension upgrade. *shrug*

[02blackwingss]

i'd go with the qa1's. with the 12 way adjustments you can have the best of both worlds. it usually takes me about 2-3 minutes to lay under the car and change the settings on all four corners.and if you want alittle lower stance in the front compared to the back, the front coilovers make it a piece of cake.i got mine from ls1speed inc. they were $699.bmr had a sale going on at the time and had them for $699,so i had ls1speed inc. match the price. i try to buy the bulk of my stuff from one place so that way they are more inclined to hook me up when i ask for it.

i have bmr for the rest of my suspension and i am very pleased with it.

rob