ok guys, here is the deal. i have poured thousands and thousands of dollars into my car, and until now, the shocks and springs have been stock. It's time to upgrade this winter..

the rest of my suspension is pretty good stuff...Spohn LCAs and relocation brackets, panhard rod, torque arm, wonder bar. I will be getting SFCs this winter as well.

i am looking for a shock and spring setup that will allow me to get mainly better traction at the strip, but will also allow me to get better handling off the strip. i don't do autocross, so that's not a concern. and, i only drive the car when its nice out, so its barely a daily driver...in other words, i dont care about the ride quality.

i know that it is had to find a set that will improve both straight-line traction and around-the-curves handling at the same time.

i'm guessing that i want something adjustable as ar as the shocks and struts go. the car isn't lowered, and i don't really intend to lower it...but its not out of the question.

i did a pretty lengthy search because i know this question gets asked 3 times a day...but...haven't found any really definitive answers to these questions. so, if you have any ideas please share them. i have some opinions, but i want to see what you guys think..

and, finally, money isn't really a concern. i don't find spending 600-800 dollars on the combo, as long as it's what i want.

thanks a lot,

-Brian

Edit: if anyone has any numbers as far as 60 foot times, etc. i would be interested in seeing what your results are for specific setups. thanks..

 

Your two over-the-counter option on radrace quality struts are Bilstein and Koni (yellows, not reds).

Koni's have the highest level of road feel and slow speed damping. (this is not car speed, its shock compression feel.) Slight movements on the Bilsteins can go unnoticed leaving the driver a more "Cadillac" feel on very small shock movements. they basically are not dampering at all on little movements. Koni's are better with this giving better control at low and high shock speeds, but they do feel the road better meaning some will contend they are a "harsh" ride. If you want true control, you need to know and feel the car at all times.

Its your call- I choose Koni.

 

qa1 makes a 12position adjustable rear shock that adjust in seconds by turning the **** on the side and can be done on the car .i just bought some myself.

fronts,i have no good advice as i just drag race my car and cruise on the streets a little.mine has 90/10 lakewoods on it.



edit; i run southside lift bars on mine and 60ft in the high 1.3's.

 

I have Koni Yellows and they have great road feel as mentioned above. Even at their softest settings they are likely too stiff for drag racing. I would suggest lowering the car a little - like an inch or so with a Prokit - there may be better springs available but the Prokit is adequate with 715 lbs or so linear fronts and fairly high rate progressive rears. The Prokit also leaves some rake in the car which you need for handling - Sportlines seem to lower the back too much which is fine if that's what you want but it's not the best set up for handling.

 

prokit and bilstein hd's.. for street/strip

koni yellow for street/auto-x guys.

qa1 12 ways for those who have to adjust everything.

having them all i prever the pokit springs and bilstein strut/shocks. if you really want to dial them in the extra coin for qa1's aren't necessary as koni yellow gives a decent ride but definately more road feel. the qa1's are the perfect ballance but expensive.