Tips on budget suspension upgrade?

[KLaBZ28]

I just purchased 4 new KYB AGX adjustable shocks and struts for my 95. I was thinking about upgrading my swaybars to the 1LE sway bars. Where could I get these? Any suggestions on what else I could upgrade? I was thinking about the Eibach Pro kit or Granatelli lowering springs, but I dont really want to worry about ground clearance and I've heard that the lowered suspension takes away from the factory handling?

[Sinister95Z]

If you want factory handling and good ground clearance, do not get lowering springs.

1LE sway bars can usually be found in the for sale sections on a couple of the forums. ltxtech.com, ls1tech.com and camaroz28.com are a few good places to look.

A good starting point for suspension would be lower control arms, panhard bar and subframe connectors. UMI and BMR make great products ansd have decent prices.

[KissMyWhtSS]

Depends on the spring rates.

If your on a budget I wouldn't worry about swaybars yet. They're great, but exspensive.

LCAs and relocation brackets are always a good start. If you plan on getting bigger wheels, I'd recommend lowering it because it will look like a 4x4. Wheels/Suspension MAKE a car. I'd also stay away from the prokit, or any progressive springs.

[Sinister95Z]

If you do decide to get lowering springs and still want decent handling, look into the Strano springs. They do not lower the ride hieght too much and still retain a decent ride due to the spring rates. Sam knows his stuff and put alot of research and experience into the springs.

[KissMyWhtSS]

If you do decide to get lowering springs and still want decent handling, look into the Strano springs. They do not lower the ride hieght too much and still retain a decent ride due to the spring rates. Sam knows his stuff and put alot of research and experience into the springs.
Strano makes great springs. Perfect ride height IMO. (I'd want -1.6" but that's a bit low for LTs, his springs are -1.2" which is perfect for LTs. They're not progressive springs, unlike the pro kit, and they're softer than some lowering springs, but have good performance oriented spring rates. They're also decent at the track.

[KLaBZ28]

I think I'll wait and see how it looks after I upgrade my wheels and tires before doing any lowering springs. I'll look into BOLT in SFC's since I don't want to weld and the LCA's. Probably new outer tie rod ends. What about the shock mounts? Those should be fine on a 40,000 mile car. I plan to do dual 2.5" exhaust over the passenger side axle in the spring, so I'll need a PHB relocation kit for that correct?

[KissMyWhtSS]

Go weld in or go home.

[Spudnick]

Go weld in or go home.

Not a fan of weld-in stuff, suppose you need to take them off? You'll be grinding them off of the frame. My 3 point bolt-in SLP's made a heck of a difference in rigidity of the frame.

[Enthusiast]

I wouldnt do SFCs if your on a itght budget looking for handling gains.

From my experience on stock shock cars SFCs seem to help but on a decently damped setup (your AGXs) SFCs arent worth as much.

I still reccomend them but not based on handling, simply for safety, they seem to really help isolate the damage in a rear end colision.

[KLaBZ28]

yea i dont want to go weld in and its more of a street car, very rare that i take it to the dragway. id just like to get good traction when i do go and handling through the windy roads :devil:

[JoeliusZ28]

Not a fan of weld-in stuff, suppose you need to take them off? You'll be grinding them off of the frame. My 3 point bolt-in SLP's made a heck of a difference in rigidity of the frame.
You are leaving so much potential in the open if you do not weld in SFCs.

SFCs are for improving the cars rigidity. If you dont have a rigid connection, theres no point of a rigid frame brace. Bolt in will make a difference at first, but over time the bolts can loosen up, and even if they dont the bolt holes WILL stretch, thus making them less and less effective. A weld is permanent. Why would you want to take SFCs off anywhay? Mine havent gotten in the way of anything. They should have been factory.

also a good budget mod is making your own LCA relocation brackets (if you have a welder)

[95z28man]

You are leaving so much potential in the open if you do not weld in SFCs.

SFCs are for improving the cars rigidity. If you dont have a rigid connection, theres no point of a rigid frame brace. Bolt in will make a difference at first, but over time the bolts can loosen up, and even if they dont the bolt holes WILL stretch, thus making them less and less effective. A weld is permanent. Why would you want to take SFCs off anywhay? Mine havent gotten in the way of anything. They should have been factory.

also a good budget mod is making your own LCA relocation brackets (if you have a welder)

Thats a good point, however, I think the bolt-ins on Strano's site are actually cheaper than the weld-in's. And you can always weld the bolt-ons anyways, so it's a win-win. I'd go bolt-ins and see how it goes, then weld them if you ever want to.

[SSSC]

Bolt in you can always have them welded in later.

[barney1golf]

My car is lowered with drop zone springs. 1.5 back and .5 front. 17" rims and tires. No problem with ride and definatly helps handling.

[ksmyss]

i never trust bolt in subframes or bolt in relo brackets. who cares if you sell the car with $250 in parts welded to it?

you could always get a new bushing kit for your lower control arms and weld in plates to box them in.

get some tubular sub frame connectors, they tuck way up in the rocker panels and can't be seen unless you crawl under the car.

new poly bushings for everything.

that should run you around $300 give or take and make a big difference

[KissMyWhtSS]

i never trust bolt in subframes or bolt in relo brackets. who cares if you sell the car with $250 in parts welded to it?
some people think their fbodies have resale value. :jest:

[KLaBZ28]

some people think their fbodies have resale value. :jest:

Haha I wont get a good price for my Z now even though its the cleanest around here, its been "totaled." I got owned :shiner:.

Oh and hell yea on your sig 5.3L LSx swap in that beast!

[KissMyWhtSS]

Haha I wont get a good price for my Z now even though its the cleanest around here, its been "totaled." I got owned :shiner:.

Oh and hell yea on your sig 5.3L LSx swap in that beast!
It's currently for sale so I can buy a '99 Z71. Same thing right? ;)

[YZF]

Welding in my SFC's on Saturday so Ill give you my opinion on them.

[KissMyWhtSS]

Welding my my SFC's on Saturday so Ill give you my opinion on them.
Everyone I've talked to feels that it's a very valuable mod, a couple have said it's the best mod they've done.

[YZF]

I'm excited. I hope the weather is nice or else it'll have to wait.

[Standard-Z]

I have bmr weld in sub frame conn. When I got em I couldnt tell any difference. Well could be because im still at ride height.

[KLaBZ28]

It's currently for sale so I can buy a '99 Z71. Same thing right? ;)

Haha shore! they're all beasts. Whatsup with those sweet looking guages in your sig? ;D more pics!

BTW I got the AGX shocks/struts in, waiting for my wheels to come to decide if i should get drop springs. :D
What about for a front sway bar any el cheapos I could slap in there before I go for the alignment or stock fine?

[KissMyWhtSS]

Haha shore! they're all beasts. Whatsup with those sweet looking guages in your sig? ;D more pics!

BTW I got the AGX shocks/struts in, waiting for my wheels to come to decide if i should get drop springs. :D
What about for a front sway bar any el cheapos I could slap in there before I go for the alignment or stock fine?
I'm not sure what brand they are, but thanks.
Day:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb257/kiss_my_ss/IMG_1926.jpg
Night: (Pic is a bit blury, hand held on a slightly longer exposure)
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb257/kiss_my_ss/IMG_1919p.jpg


You'll most definately want drop springs. I know I did when I went to my 17" ZR1's on my '97 Z28.

[KLaBZ28]

Wow those LED guages look awesome I wish I knew how to do that in my car. :whistle:

[KissMyWhtSS]

Wow those LED guages look awesome I wish I knew how to do that in my car. :whistle:Too my knowledge, the lighting is stock. My only complaint on the overlay is that it is incredibly hard to see the turn signal lights during the day.

[95LT1Z28]

Ok sooo back to budget upgrades haha, what do you guys think would bring a car together to handle turns more as opposed to ripping down the strip?

[KissMyWhtSS]

Ok sooo back to budget upgrades haha, what do you guys think would bring a car together to handle turns more as opposed to ripping down the strip?A good set of shocks and springs and swaybars.

[KLaBZ28]

Yup, thats what I'm basically going for. Got the shocks/struts, then going to see how it sits with the new wheels and see if i should get drop springs, and im currently still searching forums f/s sections for some 1LE swaybars.

[barney1golf]

Lower the car to make it level. About 1 1/2" in back and 1/2" in front. That still leaves plenty of travel for hard cornering. Then you need to install an adjustable panhard rod to center up rearend after lowering. Then an adjustable torque arm to bring the pinion angle back square. Then LCA's for keeping rear on ground. Lastly, SFC's to stop flexing. The 1st thing with handling is lowering the center of gravity but leaving as much room for travel as possible. All these things can be done in steps as money comes available. Also with all these new adjustable components, make sure you find someone who knows how to use them.

[StangeatinZ28]

lol @ bolt in sfc's. weld in ftw! i went from cutting 1.9-2.0 60's before my weld in BMR's and after cutting 1.7's. HUGE difference