LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

uprgraded suspension question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-15-2010, 08:55 PM
  #1  
TECH Apprentice
Thread Starter
 
LigHtEmUp01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default uprgraded suspension question

just wondering what you guys would say was worth buying that you upgraded from stock suspension? my car is a street car maybe 425hp so what would be something to start at that is worth upgrading?
Old 12-15-2010, 08:58 PM
  #2  
Launching!
 
ebeard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Lebanon TN
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

What do you want out of the car? Is it going to see any weekend autox or drag strips? Do you want a corner carver or something that is gonna hook from a dig?
Old 12-15-2010, 09:18 PM
  #3  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (15)
 
MasterTomos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northeast Iowa
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

The Basics:

Subframe connectors for weight transfer
panhard bar if youre lowered/wider tires to center the rear end
lower control arms and torque arm for traction
A-arms up front for added rigidity and weight reduction
K-Member for weight reduction and more elbow room in the engine bay
Sway bars, shocks, springs...

lots of different options in each category depending upon your build...
Old 12-16-2010, 08:02 AM
  #4  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
quik95lt1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts

Default

on a budget heres what ya do.....to get it to hook in a straight line at least.......
First thing....
Buy some LCA relocation brackets this will correct the stock geometry issue in these cars
Next Buy a Torque Arm Relocation Bracket again to allow you to move the torque arm to adjust instant center
Next I'd say some Tubular LCA's and then some adjustable rear shocks and drag bags

and if you got room in the budget a set of subframe connectors will help once the car starts really hooking........however the rear end will probably commit suicide long before this anyway lol.....
Old 12-16-2010, 08:25 AM
  #5  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (5)
 
~BuMps AloT~'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hays
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by MasterTomos
The Basics:

Subframe connectors for weight transfer
panhard bar if youre lowered/wider tires to center the rear end
lower control arms and torque arm for traction
A-arms up front for added rigidity and weight reduction
K-Member for weight reduction and more elbow room in the engine bay
Sway bars, shocks, springs...

lots of different options in each category depending upon your build...
Couldn't have said it any better
Old 12-16-2010, 08:26 AM
  #6  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
ZGOBYBY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Harrison Township, Michigan
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

For sure buy the LCA relocation brackets and some lower control arms. Over time, the stock LCA bushings weaken and straighten out over time, hense not angling towards the ground as the are supposed to. They aren't supposed to be straight. LOL

I would also purchase some subframes, that is a must in my opinion. Also take a look at torque arms for your setup.
Old 12-16-2010, 08:29 AM
  #7  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (5)
 
~BuMps AloT~'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hays
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by quik95lt1
........however the rear end will probably commit suicide long before this anyway lol.....
Mine hasn't yet!!! Has 117k on it and its still going!!! I am trying to bide my time as long as I can (saving for a s60), so I just do off idle runs to keep from putting to much strain on "the lil guy" (10 bolt). LOL
Old 12-16-2010, 08:54 AM
  #8  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
quik95lt1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by ~BuMps AloT~
Mine hasn't yet!!! Has 117k on it and its still going!!! I am trying to bide my time as long as I can (saving for a s60), so I just do off idle runs to keep from putting to much strain on "the lil guy" (10 bolt). LOL
yep i run a s60 in mine the things an absolute monster lol.........i've actually got a detroit locker out of my s60 for sale with a set of 4.11's if anybody is interested lol
Old 12-16-2010, 07:26 PM
  #9  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
Cheap Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default Shocks...

Shocks, shocks, shocks.

Did I mention shocks?

Even though KYB AGX shocks are supposedly only "okay" shocks, the difference in handling was very noticeable, in fact, it may be one of the most noticeable things you can do to a F-body. The stock DeCarbons apparently aren't very good.

Koni shocks are supposedly the best, but I'm just going to go with Bilstein on my current LS1.
Old 12-16-2010, 07:48 PM
  #10  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (15)
 
MasterTomos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Northeast Iowa
Posts: 3,508
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

There are a ton of different options for shock/spring combos that will yield different results for different setups. Something that is good for autocross or road racing usually isn't the best for drag racing and vice versa...

again, it all really boils down to what you want out of the car.
Old 12-17-2010, 07:55 AM
  #11  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
quik95lt1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 4,464
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts

Default

doesnt matter what kind of shock you put in the car.....if the geometry is wrong its basic physics the car wont bite........shocks are important but again.....theres more to be had for less money.......
Old 12-17-2010, 08:06 AM
  #12  
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
camaroboy2000ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: miramar
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i would look into the sub frame connectors cuz as you know we dont have frames so when you are at the line and you hook when you lonch it could give some flex im not saying thats going to fix your problem but it could help and the cost is like 130 to 180 just saying
Old 12-17-2010, 04:09 PM
  #13  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
draggin97s10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

personally on a driver i did shocks springs and a full poly kit first. then panhard, boxed the lcas and im gonna get relo brackets and TA next
Old 12-17-2010, 04:16 PM
  #14  
Launching!
 
curacaoz28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by quik95lt1
on a budget heres what ya do.....to get it to hook in a straight line at least.......
First thing....
Buy some LCA relocation brackets this will correct the stock geometry issue in these cars
Next Buy a Torque Arm Relocation Bracket again to allow you to move the torque arm to adjust instant center
Next I'd say some Tubular LCA's and then some adjustable rear shocks and drag bags

and if you got room in the budget a set of subframe connectors will help once the car starts really hooking........however the rear end will probably commit suicide long before this anyway lol.....
where can I read more about this geometry problem??
Old 12-17-2010, 04:50 PM
  #15  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (17)
 
djjab57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MasterTomos
The Basics:

Subframe connectors for weight transfer
panhard bar if youre lowered/wider tires to center the rear end
lower control arms and torque arm for traction
A-arms up front for added rigidity and weight reduction
K-Member for weight reduction and more elbow room in the engine bay
Sway bars, shocks, springs...

lots of different options in each category depending upon your build...
Just add the relocation brackets for the LCA's
Old 12-17-2010, 11:01 PM
  #16  
9 Second Club
iTrader: (35)
 
MattSapp95_T/A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Macclenny Florida
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by quik95lt1
doesnt matter what kind of shock you put in the car.....if the geometry is wrong its basic physics the car wont bite........shocks are important but again.....theres more to be had for less money.......
Out of curiosity what hole you do have your lower control arms in on your relocation brackets?

Thanks
Matt
Old 12-17-2010, 11:30 PM
  #17  
On The Tree
 
DVS LT1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Originally Posted by MattSapp95_T/A
Out of curiosity what hole you do have your lower control arms in on your relocation brackets?

Thanks
Matt
Word - I'd like to figure this out during the winter for next year.

My old setup I was running Eibach Pro springs which gave a 1.3" drop front to back. My LCA's instead of being "somewhat" horizontal as they were in stock trim were now angle upward toward the rear wheels.

I imagine the ideal is to have your LCA's horizontal when you car is at full launch - as in, wheels have hooked, weight has been transferred, and your rear end basically hitting the floor (shocks & springs are as compressed as they can get). Correct me if I'm wrong here. Or do you want those LCA's to face at a downward angle towards the rear wheels?
Old 12-17-2010, 11:50 PM
  #18  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
speed_demon24's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 4,609
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by DVS LT1
Word - I'd like to figure this out during the winter for next year.

My old setup I was running Eibach Pro springs which gave a 1.3" drop front to back. My LCA's instead of being "somewhat" horizontal as they were in stock trim were now angle upward toward the rear wheels.

I imagine the ideal is to have your LCA's horizontal when you car is at full launch - as in, wheels have hooked, weight has been transferred, and your rear end basically hitting the floor (shocks & springs are as compressed as they can get). Correct me if I'm wrong here. Or do you want those LCA's to face at a downward angle towards the rear wheels?
Why would you want your car to squat on the launch?
Old 12-18-2010, 04:40 AM
  #19  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (26)
 
Wicked94Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Spokane, Wa
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

yea... LCA relocation brackets are a must. I'm so low mine are about level to the ground even in the bottom hole. I'm gonna have an extended set fabbed up, need bigger wheelstands
Old 12-19-2010, 08:49 PM
  #20  
On The Tree
 
DVS LT1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Originally Posted by speed_demon24
Why would you want your car to squat on the launch?
Not necessarily saying you'd want that - that's what my rear use to do when I'd hit the track (with BFG's mind you. Tires would hook and rear end would "squat" as you say. With the harder Firestone's I still have it didn't do that, but then again they don't hook either, they just spun).


Quick Reply: uprgraded suspension question



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:30 AM.