brandoz28

iTrader: (1)

OK guys i need to pick your brains again...i have an 86 sport coupe with v6 springs all the way around, 90/10 lakewoods up front and otherwise stock suspension, it launches pretty well now and hooks up on a 275/50R15 BFG drag radial.

Now I'm thinking about putting a lot more power to it and potentially a trans brake for next year, along with all adjustable tubular suspension. Now my question is should i go for the weight savings and adjustability of the coil overs with the new K member and A arms? or will the stock stuff be ok for me. my goal is mid to low 10s on nitrous. The car is almost exclusively a track car, but will see VERY occasional street duty.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

The tubular stuff would make life easier as far as clearances and working on things, losing the weight is always a big plus, more tunablitiy is never a bad thing, but i talked with AJE and PA at the world street challenge pricing out a complete tubular/coil over/rack set up and at a discounted $2600 for EVERYTHING and the fact my factory junk is working just fine, i'll use that extra money towards something else.

brandoz28

iTrader: (1)

any ideas on front spring rates? i might go to front coil overs before any tubular stuff so if it doesnt work out so well i will just order the k member and arms with spring perches. It's an iron headed small block for now, going to aluminum small block this winter

AlkyIROC

I run tubular k-member and a-arms with Koni SPA1 struts. I was running V6 springs for a few years but a year ago, I upgraded to Moroso BBC trick springs.

It's still considered a stock style setup and works for me.

The only reason I still use a manual steering box instead of a rack is that the large tube headers prevent a steering shaft from getting anywhere close to where a steering rack input shaft would be.

IHI

iTrader: (1)

Your going to have to scale it as each car set up is different at each tire point..front half/back half. Go to a grain co-op or truck stop and get weighed front/rear and that will tell you what you'll have to have.

brandoz28

iTrader: (1)

thanks, i have a lot of circle track friends too so i may be able to borrow a 4 corner scale. it's still having body work done, but i'm just trying to stockpile parts to keep me busy this summer after it's rolling again. thanks for all the help guys, i've only been racing for a few years and this is my first time i've really been able to dive head first into a full blown project

AlkyIROC

4 corner is even better. That way you can adjust the suspension to help equalize the weight. I need to get mine on a 4 corner scale some day.

brandoz28

iTrader: (1)

I'm sure that all of the adjustability is overkill for as fast as i'm going to go for now, but i'm future-proofing so that the chassis and suspension will be able to handle whatever i throw at it.

stage20

iTrader: (3)

i saved 16# going to a coilover and dont see a benefit at the current power level.
my eibach drag launch springs and wore out stock v8 struts did the job perfect.
BUT.... i modified some stuff and put some strange 10 ways on the front and rear and you can really dial it in.
my car feels like glass now with the shocks and springs setup right.
if what you have works, its a waste of money. if you want to save a few pounds and have some adjustability, coilovers aint bad.
for sure go with a k member/a arms and all the other stuff you can. there is where you can save some weight and get some room to work on the car.

WheelsUp84z

iTrader: (2)

where the hell did you get strange 10 way fronts for an 82-92 fbody???? Strange nor QA1 makes them from what i've been told by them.

stage20

iTrader: (3)

i had a machine shop shave my spindles down to fit a mustang fox body strut. nearly the same travel and almost a direct bolt in.
also had to thread and cut the piston, and use some 5/8 x 3/4 bushings in the strut tops instead of the factory metric pieces.
all works like a champ.

WheelsUp84z

iTrader: (2)

i've always wondered about that, as they look almost identical. Have any pics of that?

stage20

iTrader: (3)

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...tml?highlight=
its all up and running great.
car steers very well with the rack, and with the shocks, it rides like a caddy on the street.