yeah im new to the board i read stuff periodically but dont post much. ive been getting more of an eye for either autox or road racing as opposed to the typical drag racing everyone does. what are some cheap worthwhile suspension upgrades i could play with? so far i have a BMR adjustable panhard rod and SFCs (got them real cheap like $200 total for new stuff it was hard to pass up) and a ST 35 mm front bar. the sway bar was probably the nicest improvement, i didnt know until after i got the SFCs welded that it puts you in a different class or something if you compete in autox. but i probably wont be a very active racer anytime soon im rather busy and would perfer not to beat on my one and only mode of transportation until i get another vehicle. i just wanted to slowly move the car in that direction, try some stuff out. i know different types of racing call for different setups once you get really into it, i just wanted some general things. would aftermarket LCAs or torque arm help grip in handling or are they only for straight line traction improvement? or maybe a STB, although i find a lot of mixed opinions about those.

 

Hmm, we had a little discussion a little while back about this....

Sounds like you already have some of the first improvements that came out of that discussion. You have SFC's even though they do move you up in class. The 35mm bar IS one of the best and least expensive improvements you can make. Once, or if, you decide to change the rear bar, shocks would be next on my list. While they're off, might as well do the springs at the same time.

 

yeah ive read some different things here and there, i probably should have searched first im probably not the first, or last, person to ask a question like this. i have decided from what i read not to change the rear bar for a while, since the car is still mainly road driven i'd like to keep it with understeer since i think its safer until i can get out and practice. i figured shocks and springs would be a major improvement, but i dont know anything about them like spring rates and all, and shocks im not sure either. i emailed sam strano once asked a few things he said for shocks if i had the money to go with koni double adjustable ones i belive he recomended, but i think they are like $1000+ for front and rear. and as far as springs i cant lower the ride height really at all, maybe .5 inch tops cuz my driveway sucks, unless there was someway to have an adjustable system i could drop when i needed to without problems. the only big thing im looking to do is new wheels and tires, first choice so far is 18"x9.5" rims with either eagle F1 GS-D3s or i think the other ones were called nitto 555 extremes. i know tires have a big effect on car performance no matter what you do, i just need to find something that has good grip but wont wear down in 10 000 miles since the car is driven everyday

 

yea, drag racing is boring!! check with sam strano as the post says!! i say, start with shocks! this is the most bypassed componet that is never addressed and has the most improving effect!!

 

i eamiled him once a while back before i came to this board, he said i was on the right track. springs/shocks would be a good move, if i had the money to go with koni dobule adjustable. are those the best? ive only seen them for like $1000 for all the way around maybe if they were a little cheaper... anyone wanna do a group purchase on those?

 

RE: Struts/shocks...

This is what Sam discussed with me, I like what he said. You could go for just the revalved Bilsteins for $480.00 front & rear, that's a pretty good price.

Option #2, since I'm going to buy the Eibach Pro springs ($239.00), Sam said the HOT ticket would be the Koni Single Adjustable struts in the front, and the 3RD GEN Bilsteins for the rear, says they're better than the 4th Gen Bilstein rears, this combo will run $600.00...Not bad, not bad at all.

Option #3, Eibach Pro springs, Koni SA struts in the front, Koni non-adjustable for the rear, $734.00 for all 4. Options #2 & #3 per Sam will be fine for Autocross, if I were to include springs & 35mm front swaybar.

Hope this helps!

Definitely less than $1000.00

 

that doesnt sound bad. i need to decide if i want to go for an autocross setup or roadrace i guess, then i can talk to him and decide what suspension combo to go with

 

i got the bilsteins from stranoparts.com since I only drive my car on street.. 350 or so total is the cheapest ive seen anywhere.

 

Strano.com does have great prices on the Bilsteins

 

I just got my revaled bilsteins in. I like them, still just had them 2 days so I have not not anygood chance to "TEST" them out yet...

Do lots of guys have these?

 

I rarely use DA's over SA's. I can't really see me saying that unless you told me the car was going to be pretty dedicated to track use. I "only" use SA's on my car.......

 

sorry i dont want to misquote you sam i cant find the email it was way long ago, all i remember was mention of those being good if i had the money. i just wanted to try to get quality stuff that i wont have to replace again once i do start racing. i remember you said revalved blistens, or koni SA, or if i had money to throw around koni DA, something to that effect but i do remember those 3 items. maybe i mis-presented my intentions with the car and thats why you suggested them it was like months ago though so who knows.