could use some opinions and feedback - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

chevyfan1989 · 10-28-2009, 04:30 PM

ok well once winter rolls around and i park my Iroc for the year i'm gonna get started on redoing the suspension and a few other projects. basically my goal is to make it to where i can take it to an autocross event and then drive it home without every bump feeling like theres a crater in the road... well maybe not that bad but you know what i mean if you've ever road in some of the cars i have. well what i'm planning on putting on is the spohn trransmission crossmember with there torque arm and relocation kit, new lca's, adjustable panhard bar, i'm undecided on springs i'll like to get a hold of a set of 1le springs but i doubt i'll find em, the steering rebuild kit that i believe spohn makes i'd have to look, i haven't decided what sfc's to go with yet either or what combo of them to use if i decide to go with 2 sets, i could also use some opinions on the shocks available. i'm also gonna be puttin corvette c5 brakes all the way around along with the c5 rims. i'd appreciate any other ideas too.

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91_5.7_TPI · 11-02-2009, 09:19 PM

Shocks & tires. First and foremost- they are the two most important things. You can't spend too much money here, cause they are about the only thing that won't change the class you run in (as far as I know) and they help the most (as single mods).

You should look up the rules and pick the class you want to run in, then modify the car accordingly. You don't want to throw parts at the car and end up with a bunch of parts that don't work well together and be in a class you can't be competitive in because you don't have the experience/money. The best thing you can do is lots of practice (safe practice) and talking to experienced drivers.

Try looking over this thread (Suspension How To...), it'll help I hope.

Good luck!

chevyfan1989 · 11-06-2009, 01:53 PM

thanks for the reply and link i didn't think i was ever gonna get a reply. well the closest track where i could take it to to race is nearly 3 and a half hours away but i would like to take it there from time to time so for now i'm just looking for the parts that work best with each other and what ones don't not so much what will be allowed in this class or that class atleast for now. so far i have all the bushings replaced with polys and new rubber transmission and motor mounts, still haven't decided for sure on what sfc's to get and not sure about the rear suspension components either, performance wise is there really any difference in the rear components like the lca's and panhard bar etc from the various aftermarket suppliers?? also sorry if the racing autocross thing influenced your reply i would really like to do it but with that kind of distance then it really isnt plausible for me right now.

91_5.7_TPI · 11-06-2009, 04:08 PM

It did influence how I replied, but the part about the tires and shocks being the most important part still stands. What parts do you have questions about? The differences in the different suppliers aren't really much in the way of performance, more personal preference. If you get into front a-arms and k-member, then you'll want to do some more digging. There is a difference in the bushings for the rear suspension components. There is a section in that link that'll give you the info you need.

The best thing to do right now (since you've already thought ahead to replace the bushings and things) is to buy and install SFCs, LCARBs, and a wonder bar (as un-exciting as it sounds). Although, you should at least upgrade to a good set of brake pads in the front before doing any serious driving. It would be a good idea to upgrade the whole system and install rear disks as well.

Then, get a set of good tires and shocks and right after (since your allignment will be shot to heck after installing the front struts) get the car alligned to street/track allignment. At this point, you'll notice a huge improvement and you'll likely be glad you did the brakes already as the stockers are likely not very much use now haha.

Then you can select a set of springs for it that best match what ride height your roads will allow/what you like as well as what the car needs to be balanced. Don't just look at the off the shelf kits, you can custom order spring sets for your desired ride height and spring rate for (usually) less than a new off the shelf lowering kit.

Then you can fine tune that with the sway bars. It's more of a hand in hand relationship (between springs and sway bars) than I make it sound, and it's best to have a few options for front and rear bars and springs to be able to pick and choose what you (and the car) like the best.

After you've got the car set up, then go and get your LCAs, PHB, etc.

If you read the whole thread I linked, it should give you a more complete idea than what I've given here, as well as more tech and plus there's the whole 'how to' section. Now that I've written this, I realize the other authors and myself left out a brake section from that thread...