ENT

Well I went and drove over an unmarked median in the dark last night and messed up some things. My alignment is shot, tires are toast, and I think I wasted at least one shock. I had planned on upgrading my suspension and figured I might as well do it now. Only problem is I have only a somewhat reasonable understanding of what each part does. Can someone give me a crash course on suspension? From what I "know" now, I had planned on the following:

Subframe Connectors
Lower Control Arms
Panhard Rod
Strut/Shock Tower Brace (Still don't know which it really is <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> )
Lowering Springs
LCA Relocation Brackets
Swaybars
Shocks
Torque Arm
Tunnel Brace/ Drive Shaft Loop

What are all of your thoughts on staying all with 1 brand vs. mixing brands. What brand(s) would you recommend.

My overall goal is improving both straight line and curve performance, leaning toward the straight line side.

I'm hesitant to say price is not an issue but I know 99 out of 100 times you get what you pay for and I want to do it right the first time.

I don't plan on long tube headers and I have a convertible.

I would appreciate and reccomendation/comments/advice/information all of you experts out there can throw my way. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Edit: Also, what the heck is the deal with rubber bushings/polyurethane/sperical rod ends etc??? In addition, keep in mind this is my daily driver/commuting car...

<small>[ June 21, 2002, 10:45 PM: Message edited by: ENT ]</small>

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

First of all, let me say I've been down this road of mixing and matching based upon price and availability only to wind up with a car that never handled any better than before I started.

It felt different, riding rougher and making the tires sqeal, and I equated that to faster. But track times showed otherwise.

Suspension tuning is all about engineering and design. Not all conmponents work well together.

I'm no expert and do not pretend to be one. All I can do is share my experience.

Having said that, I am of the opinion that a suspension needs to be a package ... a package that has been designed to work with the weight of these cars. It all boils down to weight control ... forcing it to the place where it will do the most good.

This is where people have opinions and loyalties. There are a ton of manufacturers and vendors out there that are more than willing to sell you whatever you ask for. I know ... I'm one of their victims. I knew next to nothing about suspension design, mechanics and nuances when I began.

But, after spending (wasting) many dollars, I received a tremendous amount of help from Lou and Louis Gigliotti of LG Motorsports. I chose them because Lou campaigned an F-Body to 3 championships in World Challenge competition. What he learned on the track is designed into the G2 components he sell to you and me. The parts are race engineered, designed and PROVEN on the track.

Lou is also accessible. He will talk with you, coach you and educate you on what to do and how to do it. Lou and Louis both frequent this site, as well as LS1.com, CamaroZ28.com and Corvetteforum. I don't recall ever seeing Mr. Rockey from BMR, Mr. Hotchkis for Hotchkis, Mr West from Global West or Mr. Techniques from Suspension techniques ever post up, in an attempt to steer those of us who are less learned to understand what these components are supposed to do and how they help.

And if that isn't enough to convince you to give Lou a call, go to the Classified section of each of those sites mentioned above and do a search on G2 and look and see how many pieces are for sale. Do the same for Global West, Hotchkis, BMR, ST, etc.

There is a damn good reason why G2 components are purchased, installed and left alone. They work!

<small>[ June 21, 2002, 11:43 PM: Message edited by: mitchntx ]</small>

unit213

Sounds like a ad campaign to me...

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

Anyone can share their own experience. I just did mine.

I've bought parts from BMR, Thunder and Byrne. Never once did those vendors ask me WHY I thought I needed the parts I was ordering ... just gimme the card number, please.

Viper

iTrader: (6)

I ( after mucho dollars ) have to agree. I've spent some stupid money over time. I had GW, BMR and Hotchkis parts over the last 3 years.

Now, if you notice I'm still converting over/mixing parts.

I'm still learning as well.

I like my setup now, but as mitchntx has said in the past, I have no clue if my setup is 'good' because the question begs 'compared to what?'.

After all that, I do recommend you spend an enormous amount of time here and on ls1.com doing searches on the autox forums and general help to see what has worked for people and what has not. Look for posts from Lou G. and Sam Strano as both have good opinions and they cover different types of racing.

If you can, buy a package as mitchntx said.

However, in MY opinion, the following don't really matter in keeping brand:

Subframe Connectors
Strut/Shock Tower Brace
Tunnel Brace/ Drive Shaft Loop

The rest should be matched, especially the springs, shocks and swaybars.

In your searches you'll find a ton on your question of bsuhing types.

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

Hal probably recommends their springs because you don't have to modify the mount to accomodate teh shock. I believe you have to grind away a portion for it to fit. No first hand knowledge, just trying to recall what I read somewhere.

For a street car, stick with a shock that is proven reliable. Also, stay away from adjustability. It sounds nifty, but adjustments are screw ups waiting to happen. Especially, if you are like me and really am not sure what is supposed to happen when making adjustments. That takes years of experience and mountains of seat time to feel that in your pants.

I've got Bilstiens on my car ... have for 3 years. They work great and are holding up fantastic.

Get the 1LE sway bars. They are matched very well to an F-Body's weight distribution.

ENT

Thanks for the replies guys.

If I were to go with the G2 swaybars and G2 supersprings, what shocks would be recommended. I've seen biilstein HD's, KYB's, HAL's, and Koni Red's quite regularly. Anyone care to comment on any of these? Also, I've read that the HAL's recommend their own front springs. How would that effect a lowering spring package? I know they are adjustable height but enough to match the G2 springs in the back?

Dave Jones

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by mitchntx:
<strong>I chose them because Lou campaigned an F-Body to 3 championships in World Challenge competition.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Please pardon my apalling ignorance, but would that be drag racing or auto-X? I'm looking to improve my suspension. Specifically, I want better cornering.