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Suspension newbie...input on possible setup?

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Old Feb 12, 2003 | 06:35 PM
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Default Suspension newbie...input on possible setup?

Well right now I'm driving a 98 t/a m6 that is stock except for a lid and subframes. I'm trying to build up my car to be a compromise between street, drag, and possibly autox in the future when I have more time. So far I plan on the following power mods: lid, mac mids, true duals, ported throttle body, dry 100-150 shot, and possibly a hotcam (not sure if I want to cam the car yet). To plant this power I'll be running the stock 16" tires up front, and then some 245-40-16 nittos in the rear. I'm wondering if you guys could help critique my suspension setup and let me know what I have that may be overkill and why, or what I may want to add and why.

Plans as follows: DMS springs, adjustable panhard, 2pt STB, lca's and relocation brackets. For shocks I was thinking some bilsteins (possibly revalved?) in the rear and then some koni SA's in the front so I can set them full soft for the strip to launch better.

How well will all of this work together? Again I'm trying to find a good compromise between a mostly daily driven car and a car that can also handle some drag strip time as well as a little autox.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the long post!
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Old Feb 12, 2003 | 10:01 PM
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Default Re: Suspension newbie...input on possible setup?

I'm not familiar with the DMS springs, but everything else sounds like you are in the right track (except the Koni's...I'll get to that in a minute). I'd recommend you use a set of LCA's with rod ends (heim joints) on both ends (eliminates binding for autocross and handling...but makes some noise). THe panhard rod really dosen't have to rotate, so you can get away with poly bushings there (but make sure it is adjustable...I still use rod ends, less slop and poly can "cold form"....after repeated loads, it will "dent" and get sloppy....but it takes a while). For autocross (and street use) I run my alignment at 4.5deg of castor, 1.3 deg of negative camber and 1/32nd of an inch of total toe out (yes, out) and it dosen't destroy tires (but they do wear somewhat faster) and you should still get down a drag strip on this setup. THe problem I mentioned with the Koni SA shocks is that they are only adjustable in compression....and for drag racing you really want to soften the rebound (Koni DA's do both, as do some others). I don't think you'll see the gains that you expect by softening a set of Single adjustable Koni fronts (at the strip). Other than that....you should be pretty well set. Sorry for the extended reply, Good luck and happy corner carving.
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Old Feb 12, 2003 | 11:27 PM
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Default Re: Suspension newbie...input on possible setup?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by trackbird:
<strong> I'd recommend you use a set of LCA's with rod ends (heim joints) on both ends (eliminates binding for autocross and handling...but makes some noise). THe panhard rod really dosen't have to rotate, so you can get away with poly bushings there (but make sure it is adjustable...I still use rod ends, less slop and poly can "cold form"....after repeated loads, it will "dent" and get sloppy....but it takes a while. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree on the heim joints for the LCAs and the panhard rod. Personally I think heim joints are the only way to go. The panhard rod (aluminum w/ heim joints) was the first mod (suspention wise) I made and I was amazed at how precise and predicatable it made the handling. I didn't really receave any increase in road noise from the panhard rod. Where I got the noise was from the LCAs and part of that is because I didn't really clamp the bolts down so they were able to wiggle around on bumps. Get the heim joints.

Chris
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