Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Need some help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 21, 2010 | 12:42 PM
  #1  
Revoroller's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: Gillette Wyoming
Default Need some help

Well I'm finally able to start buying parts for my car and so far I've got the exhaust and gears figured out but I need help with the suspension stuff.

I wanna lower my car and I've been reading around that if you throw in an adjustable panhard bar and some other stuff it helps greatly with traction. I'm not looking to spend a bunch of cash, I'll most likely buy some stuff used just to save a few bucks so I can rebuild my ls1 this winter or buy a shortblock to build on. I'm just looking for some help on what exactly would be good choice for suspension upgrades for a DD that is gonna see the track occasionaly next year.

Thanks.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2010 | 01:51 PM
  #2  
Element's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 2
From: WV
Default

Adjustable panhard rod, LCAs (adjustable is up to your budget, not "required" if you're running smaller tires, but if you can swing the couple extra dollars, being able to tweak is nice), LCA relocation brackets, and a good shock/spring combo. SFCs are also generally considered the "must do" mod for f-body suspension, but you'll get differing opinions on them depending on who you talk to. Sways are also something to take a look at.

Poly ends on suspension pieces are generally considered the most stock-feeling, while giving a decent improvement over deflection/binding of the stock bushings; however, they can still bind and deflect some. UMI's Roto-Joint and Spohn's Del-Sphere look like a good compromise between the performance of a rod-end and the NVH benefits of a poly bushing, but they're a little more expensive than their poly counterparts.

The thing with a suspension system is that it's not really something you can replace just one component in and be done. Swapping good shocks in will make the biggest difference, but the whole suspension works together, so it's better to look at it from a complete system view, rather than a more modular view. The only really "required" things aside from shocks and springs, for a drop, are an adjustable panhard rod, so you can re-center the axle, and LCA relocation brackets, to keep the LCAs at a near stock angle (which will eliminate wheel-hop as well as improving handling).

Last edited by Element; Aug 21, 2010 at 01:56 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 21, 2010 | 03:09 PM
  #3  
buddha845's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
15 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL
Default

^^^^ what he said, if youre lowering the car you will need adjustable panhard rod and torque arm to keep the suspension geometry in order. I recently had the BMR adj. torque arm, adj. panhard rod, LCAs and relocation brackets installed for the same reason, but my konis are at 119k miles and the nut on top of the shock wasnt going anywhere so the lowering springs are off until i get some new konis

needless to say at stock power level/ride height the mods still make a significant difference in how the car hooks and feels through the power band, the rear of the car definitely feels rock solid. A grand total of about 600 in parts, max. so you cant go wrong. whether you're going lower or not theyre worth every penny IMO

Last edited by buddha845; Aug 21, 2010 at 05:18 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 22, 2010 | 12:19 AM
  #4  
Revoroller's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: Gillette Wyoming
Default

Thanks for the help guys, sounds like I'm gonna be installing lots of goodies this winter.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:13 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE