Ok, I have an '87 Z28 305 TPI. I know it isn't really fast, but it's quick. I want to make it handle like a wet dream though since I know it isn't fast Right now, I have a wonder bar, boxed spohn subframe connectors, and 16x8 IROC-Z wheels with 245/50-16 Eagle GSC tires. The subframes aren't installed yet, but I hope to have them in this fall/winter. What would be the best things to get next? I know it felt like a world of difference when I went from the 15x7 RS/Z28 wheels with 215/65-15 tires. I want to get the eibach pro-kit, but if I do that I want to get Koni's or Bilstiens to go with it and I don't have that much $. I know I want a 3 point strut tower brace, but what should I do next then? I'm lookin to spend under 300$ give or take. If you take out the option for springs/shocks, what do you guys recomend? I'm thinking...


1) Kenny Brown 3 point STB
2) Spohn LCA's (Chrome moloy)
3) Spohn Panhard (Chrome moloy)



If I'm going to lower, do I need to get the adjustable LCA's? Or would the LCA relocation bracket fix that? What do you guys recomend? I want it to handle well, but not be too unreasonable on the street. I may get into autocross later, I just want something that can compete with these newer cars... I drove a civic that was lowered with alot of suspension mods and it handled INCREDIBLY well, but I KNOW our cars can do better... can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks.

 

Get a polyurethane bushing set. I've got a polygraphite kit from www.p-s-t.com and I think it cost around $120. I've put all of it in as well because I HATE paying to have someone F**k with my car. You'll feel a difference.

If you were looking to go for springs/shocks, why not get the Eibachs with the KYB's? I did this as well the same time I installed the polygraphite kit. Granted, they're not as good as the bilsteins, but for the price, you can't beat it.

Adjustable LCA's really aren't necessary unless you're going to drag race it. Having said that, I bought Spohn adjustables . I figured that I might find myself wanting them one day so what the hell? The relocation brackets will help plant the rear, but I don't have a bad problem with wheel hop. Maybe you won't either. I have the moly/polyurethane combo, and it improved how the car hooks from light to light. I've also installed the moly/poly panhard rod as well. The only thing about that rod that made me go "WTF?" is when going over bumps, the moly end rotates and makes a 'clunk' in the rear when it gets to the end of travel. I've gotten used to it by now.

I bought the same subframes as you, but I haven't gotten them installed either. I should have them in by Oct 16th though, and I'm really looking forward to it!

 

If you have any power at all and you lower the car, you will have wheel hop. You can take that to the bank.

LCA lowering brackets have been the single biggest bang-for-the-buck mod to my car's suspension. They completely cured the wheel hop I had (although my car didn't have all that much power, only 373 ft-lbs measured at the rear wheels), and gave it an amazing amount of forward bite coming out of corners. I have the Lakewood LCAs, I don't feel the need to be able to adjust the car's wheelbase. Adjustable LCAs don't fix the geometry problem these cars have, the lowering brackets do.

Decent tires would help you too... those Goodyears suck, they are about the worst tire I have ever had in my life. For a (mercifully) short I had a pair of Michelin XGTs on the front and a pair of those on the rear; the car was so loose it would have been funny if it wasn't so scary. It really made it obvious how crappy they are to be compared to something quality on the same car at the same time. It was impossible to drive fast around corners because it was so tail-happy.

 

there is also sway bars. either the 1le/ws6 bars, or aftermarket larger swaybars, sphon has them, i think bmr also makes some or maybe global west, cant remeber they have them on thunderracing.

of course springs/shocks/lcas/panhard/brackets have been mentioned along with the front end rebuild. i would aslo get bushings and endlinks for the rear swaybar. or if you want to start spending money, get solid sway bar end links (www.ground-control.com). new tires will also help ALOT, no matter how good your suspension is, if your tires don't hold, you don't corner hard.

while you are lowering, you might also want to get a bump-steer kit (www.baer.com).

you alread have sub-frames and a wonderbar, so don't worry about that stuff. but also get a poly tranny mount (es or whoever).

also when going for handling, get a poly/spherical combo lca's, if you go poly on both sides, it will bind, and cause the car to go loose. with 1 solid mount, that will keep it from binding, and also cut the deflection down. alot of people have had good luck with the combo arms on the street.

i think that pretty much covers it, i am sure i will think of more, since i am spending your money ;-)

 

Well I haven't gotten a chance to push the GSC's yet, but they HAVE to be better then the bald 215/65-15 Big O Legacy tires that were on it. I want the bigger sway bars from spohn, but I remember someone saying they weren't a good bang/buck thing. Since I have a Z28 I figure I won't notice as huge of a difference.... so I decided I'd put that off.

 

I say for under $300 do the full bushings kit, get some junkyard 1LE/WS6 swaybars and get everything installed. Then if you can bare it, remove as much weight from the interior a possible (i.e. gut it). The reason civics feel like they handle so well is because they are very light. Removing as much weight as possible will make your supension mods that much more pronounced.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.