I ended up going with the new spohn units. I got the instructions from GC and I didn't have the time and didn't want to put in the effort to gut my stock strut mount units. Spohn only sells one design (87-92) strut mount and so he included a custom lower strut mount bolt flange for the units for my year car.

For the struts I left on the dust cover. I'm not sure if the Koni's need it or not. But the cover seems to take up a lot of the adjustment real estate. And I didn't want to cut up my tower without adding a doubler of some kind to strenghten the cutout.


The strut mounts are for me. The synthetic lube is because the red rocket doesn't like it dry and even though I'll triple-bag it we all know what oil-based lubes due to latex.

 

Have you driven it yet? If not,(I'm sure you have to get it aligned first) It will be the most responsive alteration you've done yet- I promise. Congrats- looks good.

 

I've only driven it around the block but with the new centerlink/tie_rods/Idler_arm/struts everything is so tight there wasn't much feel there. I want to replace the wimpy tie rod adjusters with Hotchkis pieces before I get it aligned on probably Tuesday. The strut mounts are a lot of $$$ but at least they are serviceable as long as they don't bend, crack, or otherwise break. Stock replacements would have cost me near a couple hundred and I would need to go to the boneyard to grab some 87-92 bolt flanges to mate with them.

 

Got it aligned today with the following specs:

Camber (L/R): -.5/-.5
Caster (L/R): +4/+4.5
Toe: 1/16 total (1/32 each side)

I think the shocks themselves made the most difference. Even on the softest setting the SA Koni's are a lot firmer than the KYBs. The strut mounts seem to make the car more absolute in steering input response. I went with a 40 lb valve in my steering box and while good at higher speed ( ) it's almost like having no power steering at lower speeds. But it feels good nonetheless. I wish I was able to use my bumpsteer kit as I'm sure it would have made my car a lot more stable on uneven roads.

Thanks for the input Dean and Glenn.

 

In that pic above, did you remove the center cap logos?

 

Yes, the logos were removed and a .5" dia. hole exists in the centercap. It doesn't rain too much in Socal and the only times my car sees water is when I wash it once a month.

Two logo's on the wheelcaps were lost when I decided to do some qualitatve testing in some remote canyons I still have 2 logos which I peeled off so they all looked the same. I haven't found any good 3" replacement logos yet. My logos said Ronal, BTW. I guess since the Ronal factory is only a couple miles away I could ask for some new ones but I'm not really motivated.

 

You could get some custom round decals made up. Maybe a bowtie or somethin. I know www.firebatscave.com sells them for 4th gen wheels.

 

What's the difference between 87-92 and pre87?