Suspension options
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Suspension options I just got back into the f-body hobby after a roughly 10 year absence. The car I bought has most common bolt-on mods completed already but the suspension is stock. In the few days I've been browsing this and other websites I've noticed a lot of suspension company names I don't recognize and other, previously popular names, seem to be nowhere. I'm just curious what the current popular opinion is on which companies produce the best products, or at least the best bang-for-the-buck suspension products. Catch me up to date!
Lots of positives from Spohn. Mixed from BMR. Hotckis is just plain bloody expensive (at least referencing their LCA's compared to others', however I had a pair of their LCA's and the bushings were still good after 100K+ miles).
Lots of UMI parts on both my Z28 and my TA, except the rear sway bar on the Z (which is Spohn) since UMI didn't offer one when I was building it up.
Zero complaints - everything fit perfectly and was great quality.
Zero complaints - everything fit perfectly and was great quality.
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My $0.02... I just got back into the f-body hobby after a roughly 10 year absence. The car I bought has most common bolt-on mods completed already but the suspension is stock. In the few days I've been browsing this and other websites I've noticed a lot of suspension company names I don't recognize and other, previously popular names, seem to be nowhere. I'm just curious what the current popular opinion is on which companies produce the best products, or at least the best bang-for-the-buck suspension products. Catch me up to date!
Energy Suspension Urethane bushings (EVERYWHERE!)
LCA relocation brackets
LCA's with one spherical end (at the frame end), the other end - Urethane
Three point Sub-Frame connectors (Bolt in / Weld in) - your choice.
A Strut Tower brace
Adjustable Pan-rod bar (Again, with one spherical end and the other Urethane)
Those changes (regardless of the manufacturer - all MY stuff is UMI) along with good struts, a good alignment, and some new rubber will make your f-body handle like a slot car!
Have fun!
: )
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
depends what you want, just street? autoX? road course? drag? or a mix of everything. Koni shocks are hands down the best. Sam Strano at Strano parts sells everything else you will ever need. I got strano sway bars, eibach pro springs, koni shocks, bmr strut tower bar, sub frame connectors, LCA's and pan hard rod and the car is glued to the road by kumho escta XS tires. thing handles amazing.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
I was primarily looking at UMI stuff because it seems to have the best prices, but I didn't know if there was a reason it was cheaper. I don't have any experience with it.
I'm assuming that if I replace every suspension part with an aftermarket piece that comes with urethane bushings then I don't need to do energy suspension bushings? Or are they much better than even UMI/Spohn/BMR/etc bushings?
12 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: Long Beach, MS
Primarily spirited street driving, but I would like to do some autocross and the occasional day at the strip in the future, so a little bit of everything. Primarily corners, though.
I was primarily looking at UMI stuff because it seems to have the best prices, but I didn't know if there was a reason it was cheaper. I don't have any experience with it.
I'm assuming that if I replace every suspension part with an aftermarket piece that comes with urethane bushings then I don't need to do energy suspension bushings? Or are they much better than even UMI/Spohn/BMR/etc bushings?
I was primarily looking at UMI stuff because it seems to have the best prices, but I didn't know if there was a reason it was cheaper. I don't have any experience with it.
I'm assuming that if I replace every suspension part with an aftermarket piece that comes with urethane bushings then I don't need to do energy suspension bushings? Or are they much better than even UMI/Spohn/BMR/etc bushings?
IMO the biggest improvement you can make in the suspension on these cars is hands down some good shocks. Konis if you can afford them.
Overall, I'd go with UMI.