StunMan

Converting a '91RS to dedicated lemons/ track car Lemons is a $500 racing series so no $1,500 coil/over setups, 5 link, IRS swaps.

Need opinions on a linear step of improvement for stock suspension

Using salvaged, used, swapped parts for improvement.

Is lowering always a good idea? (IMHO not always, lower with soft SR bad)

Big sway bars can just put you on a knifes edge, ready to swap ends

Consistency and drivability outweighs 10/10ths fastest time

Open to suggestions

spurgeon76

If you can weld, try boxing the stock a-arms and rear lower control arms. New Bushings while you have them out.

tubesncubes

I've been in the suspension forums and read a ton of info from dean, Pablo, Brian, morrow and the list goes on. From what I've read the best budget upgrades are as budget follows:
All new poly bushings and replacing worn out parts as well as good tires
koni yellows
spherical strut mounts
qa1 extended ball joints
panhard lowering kit and adj panhard

Pretty killer setup there.
Check the suspension upgrades for $1000 thread.

Tibo

iTrader: (15)

4 Koni Yellows alone will put him over $500.

Is $500 the spending limit? How do they verify? Can you weld?
If you must, honestly stay under $500 then the best thing to do would be to replace the springs, bushings and struts/shocks with OE spec. OE spec will be the least expensive. OE spec will also put you back at stock ride height which will realign the suspension. Just those items will put you around $500. If you can weld then you can box the control arms and make your own Sub Frame Connectors (SFC), wonder bar and rear lower control arm relocation brackets.

tubesncubes

Read the op's post but somehow completely missed the 500 limit to spend. If that's the case Tibo's got it completely correct.

StunMan

Thank you gentleman, This is what I was looking for in info. Just to clarify the Lemons
https://24hoursoflemons.com/ $500 budget does not include safety equipment, Tires, Brakes. It also allows anything I sell off the car to be subtracted from the original purchase price of $1( it was sitting in field for 13 yrs ) Right now I am several hundred in the negative.


I build and fabricate things for a living and have a large shop to do it in. You ought to see the almost NASCAR style cage I have to put in this thing. I can safely skip the SFCs in this car. I agree that trying to fabricate your own LCAs & PB does not make sense. By the time you buy the steel, rod ends, ect..


Looking for more that I can harvest from Pick n Pull, craigslist, this forum. Have started to look at every 3rd gen that comes into the local yards for any left over performance parts. You would be surprised by the number of cars that come in with complete 3" Flowmaster mufflers and the like.


My plan to this point. Rebuild entire suspension with the best bushings I can buy, check steering box, replace rag joint shaft, solid strut mounts, UMI trans CM w. DS loop( safety equipment) Hopefully find some decent used shocks/struts. Experiment with some different spring rates, Upgrade as parts are acquired.


Anybody got those rod end/ poly LCAs or PB that they couldn't stand lying around?
Some Bilsteins or low milage parts they just had to take off?
Anybody have a resource for springrates of OEM stuff, models?


Thanks

tubesncubes

Sounds like a plan!
I'd look into putting in an Astro intermediateshaft to replace the rag joint since it'll be solid, strong, and inexpensive as well as buying strut mounts.

Midniteson2

I would source a WS6 suspension from a trans am. 36mm front bar 24mm rear make or buy a wonder bar. use springs from donor or get moog replacements. best shocks you can afford. v6 manual cars got 3.42 gears if you can find one. I drive on a road course with this set up regularly.