last of the Z28's

its a 2002 z28 heres the planned mods:

1.bmr standard uppers and lower adj. a arms.

2.hotchis swaybar set(1 7/16" front and 1"rear hollow)

3.bmr springs(i only want a slight drop and increase in spring rate)

4.bmr adj panhard bar

5.bmr tubular control arms

6.bmr tubular subframe connectors

7.standar blistein shocks(non slp)

8.bolt on relocation brackets(dont want weld ins yet for when i get a 12 bolt rear end)

what do you think? will i see a signifigant handling increase?any comments well appreciated!!

DARK AGE 53

1. I'm unsure about these.

2. BMR sway bars would be a good choice.

3. O.K.

4. O.K.

5. BMR boxed.

6. SLP or www.spectaclesolutions.com bolt-on SFC.

7. Fine.

8. Fine, go with the BMR's.

Al

last of the Z28's

what would be wrong withe the swaybars?i understand solid performs better but im looking for better than factory with out addind a ton of weight.also why the boxed contol arms over tubular?this isnt a nine second car <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> .also why not change the front a arms?thats why im here because im not sure and dont know anyone locally that mods there f-body.thanks for the feed back though keep it coming!im looking to get this stuff in a week so the more comments the better!!!

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

What is the car doing that makes you think you need thee parts?

Just like an engine and wanting more power, throwing a bunch of parts at it might not yield the best results ...

2FAST4U

good setup but i wouldn't go with the bmr springs go with 1le and Koni's and put the koni's on the lower clip and there you go.

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

Your gona notice the biggest differenct in handling with a set of sway bars, sfc's and lca's. Im not saying that the other stuff dosent help but thoes are the key parts. As long as you have thoes it basicly comes down to what brand you want and the color you want it in. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

last of the Z28's

thanks guys!i do alot of street race and am looking into future group events.im not touching the motor do to the warranty.i have 6yr 72000 mile warranty but after 3 years it all becomes fair game! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> im trying do built sort of an all around platform.trying to shead some weight while increasing performance and strength.anyone running hotckis swaybars?are they much better than stock? your input is much appreciated.also im doing the upper and lower a arms now rather than later because ill have it all apart so why not?also the k-member.....does the engine need to be removed or can i get away with just lifting it?(another thing im thinking of doing now rather than later).if running non adjustable shocks what other good performers out there that increase spring rate,perform well in the twistys,and have good street manners?my car has ground effects so i dont want to much drop 1" tops!keep the feed back coming and "help a brother out"! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

A HUGE improvement in handling can be seen from

a performance alignment
+4 caster
-1 Camber
0 toe

sticky tires
BFG KDs
Nitto 555R2s

good springs and shocks
G2 Super Springs/HD Bilstiens

All that other stuff will yield small increments in better handling when PROPERLY TUNED. If you have little or no experience in suspension tuning then chances are you will hinder more than help. Having an adjustable suspension means there is 1 perfect set-up for a given road condition and an infinite number of bad set-ups.

All that other stuff will certainly CHANGE how the car feels, but CHANGE does not necessarily equate IMPROVEMENT.

The only way to quantify improvement is with lap times on a closed course (controlled conditions) and with tire temps and pressures.

All that stuff is gonna be a pile of cash for little to no improvement in handling over a stock 1LE car, especially on the street, where all the traffic has dropped oil, coolant and dirt. Stock 1LE Z28s, with a seasoned driver behind the wheel is a damned fast, good handling car.

last of the Z28's

so are you recomending just up to the slp ile package?i hear what your sayng and i understand it but stronger and lighter parts is a good thing isnt it?oh well maybe ill work on the 89 caprice then...thanks for the input if there is any more keep it coming <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

mitchntx

iTrader: (14)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by last of the Z28's:
<strong> so are you recomending just up to the slp ile package?i hear what your sayng and i understand it but stronger and lighter parts is a good thing isnt it?oh well maybe ill work on the 89 caprice then...thanks for the input if there is any more keep it coming <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lighter and stronger does not necessarily equate to better ...

No ... not the SLP package. It's been watered down too much for ride and comfort. It's better than stock springs and DeCarbons, but still not great.

A 1LE has Koni DAs, stiffer springs and bigger sway bars. But ...

Start with an alignment ... get some good tires ... find some springs/shocks and you will be amazed at how well the baseline of the car's handling will improve.

Then, as problem or quirks arise, address them individually. Changing all that stuff at once, you really don't have a clue what helped, what hurt and what just lightened your wallet.

last of the Z28's

well like stated its a 2002 z.i bought it with 24 miles on it.its in storage right now so its been awhile since i drove it but heres what i recall 1.nose dive during breaking
2.little to much body roll for my taste
3.the rear end is so happy it jumps out all the damn time an says look at me!!!
4.i got sport appearance package and dont want to drop the car....who has higher spring rate for near stock height?
5.and yes i have had some driving instruction when i was younger.(out of seven times the troopers only got me once and that was because of them damn sherifs!!) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="gr_images/icons/mad.gif" /> .not trying to brag but just a little reference.any part or adjusting recommendations would be much appreciated!

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

1) Upper is not really needed (told this by LG motorsports).....I have the BMR heim joint uppers (never installed) and the G2 lower (very good piece…..massive and strong).....

2) I think these are hollow...if so even better….

3) nothing bad that I know of...I had G2 springs (now have G2 coilovers)

4) Z-Rated motorsports aluminum panhard rod with double rod-ends (have to call them about it....its about $150)....you don't really get any added road noise and it will make the car handle like its on rails (this was the very first mod I did to my car) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

5) BMR tubular control arms with double rod-ends (have these)....you get some added road noise but most of that goes away if you make sure to lock everything down tight (mounting bolts).

6) SLP bolt-ons.....(very happy with them)....strong and protect the exhaust system….

7) Re-valved Bilstein shocks (straino)....don't skimp on shock....they will bite you later if you do.....

8) I have the BMR bolt ons....have never and will never weld them on.....you could NEVER EVER brake the things off!!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> ....what it would take to brake these things......hell...there would be no car for them to be attached to anyways.....

These are the things I would do (based on what you mentioned). I'm actually helping a guy down the street from me set his SS (just got it) up and this is probably what I will suggest he goes with. I swear by rod ends!!!! The amount of noise increase (minimal) is worth the MASAVE increase in performance.


Chris

<small>[ February 23, 2003, 04:15 PM: Message edited by: 2001CamaroGuy ]</small>