Suspension question!!
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On The Tree
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 193
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From: Dirty South, Louisiana
Suspension question!! I have an 96 camaro with no suspension parts. What part do I need to get and what brand is best? Do I need to get adjustable parts or not. Let me no what y'all think
Which components you decide to replace/upgrade is entirely up to your pocketbook.
Most guys start with polyurethane bushings and end links to firm up handling, a thicker rear sway bar (or drag bar) to keep the
rear end planted, a tubular torque arm to get stress of the trans and help transfer power to the ground
and a strong set of tube or boxed LCAs.
Sub-frame connectors will help stability as well since Fbodies love to twist under pressure.
UMI, Spohn and BMR all make excellent products. I've used parts from all three over the last 12 years.
You can visit their sites and browse around to see what fits your needs.
As for shocks and springs ... if you're gearing this towards racing, you really
need something adjustable.
Weight transfer is the name of the game. You want the rear to plant (not squat) and the nose to rise just enough to transfer weight.
200' wheelies are entertaining, but a complete waste of power.
I use Hal QA1s, but there are plenty of other options available.
Don't forget about wheels and tires.
It's lot easier to pick skinnies up off the ground than it is 17x10s.
You also need sticky rear tires that can put torque to work without spinning.
10" DRs work well for most double-digit applications.
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
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From: Rochester, NY
If you lower your car, you'll need:
An Adjustable Panhard Bar to center your back tires under the car. The back tires will shift towards the left of the car with the stock panhard bar.
Relocation Brackets to return the angle of your lower control arms back to normal to fix your launching ability. I don't have these but I've also read that they can be beneficial even to stock suspensioned f-bodies, too.
Adjustable Torque Arm, to adjust or optimize your pinion angle (which has been changed from the car being lowered).
If youre not lowered, I don't see as much of a need for adjustable parts. I don't have any (except my Spohn Panhard Bar) and I'm happy with the way my car launches (given the tires I choose to run and the amount of power my cars making).
I always tell everyone to start off with the small stuff-- relo brackets, lower control arms, weld-in subframe braces, etc. They'll all improve your launch. If you're still not happy, then spend the big bucks on an Adjustable Torque Arm and a set of QA1 coilovers.
And like everyone else said, UMI, BMR, and Spohn seem to the most popular brands around here, so stick with them mostly.
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Hey, I know this thread is kinda' old, but it's the topic I've been researching. I'll have a track-only '95 Z28 and am wondering what other guys are using for front shocks. I'm pretty sure I want adjustable, but are the double adjustable worth the extra dough, as opposed to single?