I'm looking to re-haul my suspension on my 3.1 so that it handles lots better. It's my daily driver, and I'd also like to auto-x it just for fun. Doesn't matter how good I do, but I'd really like to improve it. I have a $1,000 budget and the only real suspension mod I've done is a TDS wonderbar and new lower balljoints. Lol. What would you guys suggest the best course of action would be? I have my own ideas but I'd like to get other peoples opinions too first. Thanks in advanced.

 

For autox, stay in the lowest class because PAX is a crock. So look at the rules to see what your options are for mods.

Also, look for posts on here by "agood2.8" He has a lot of knowledge about getting those cars to go and some of the mods were free like just changing the angle of the rear sway bars. Unfortunately he got banned all the time because special olympians couldn't handle the fact that he knew more than they did and, as we all know, the special olympians come first even at the expense of knowledge and experience..lol

frrax.com is a good site for race and autox info

 

Well the Auto cross I'm going to is more or less a run what you brung type event with saftey speficiations and that's it, so I'm looking for the best way to improve my handeling overall for $1,000. I'll try looking up some of his posts, and thanks.

 

The guy's name is Dean, located in CA. He also posted as v6toy and a few other names all of which were banned..lol

 

Tires - blow your budget here. This is where your suspension sees the ground.

Shock and struts - koni yellows

Alignment - max positive caster.
roughly -.75 camber

I doubt you can afford all hose with in the budget, but some things you just cant compromise on.

 

you blew his budget at 'tires'

 

Well most likely he's still on 15s which really screws him over in the tires department...

 

Where to start depends on how crapped out your suspension is right now.

If the shocks are shot then you will need new ones; just replacing them with cheap azz ones will be an improvement and you'd still have money to do all the bushings and so on - maybe even find some used tyres that are better than what you've got etcetera.

If you're just staring at autocross the biggest gains will come from improving the driver so to some extent you don't have to worry about modding up the car a whole lot.

 

Tires, tires, tires. Good (r compound) tires will gain you more time than any other modification combined. After tires a set of iroc springs cut to your desired ride height along with koni shocks will net you your next biggest gain.

Dean was banned because he had a bad habbit of attacking people personally anytime some one questioned his suggestions. He did know a lot but his "I know all you know nothing" attitude does no body any good.

 

Thanks for all the input! What wheel size would be my best option for some decent rubber? I'm still on 15's, but am looking to upgrade. Don't want to go too big though.

 

If you want to auto-x, going larger than the 3rd gen stock 16x8 may change the class you run in, but I'm not sure. But, if it doesn't, I'd go for some 17x9.5s.

I know that SFCs are a great idea for a 3rd gen, but that moves you into a class that's way over your head, experience-wise at least I think it does.

The good thing about replacing shocks (and tires) is (as far as I know) you can run any shocks and not change classes.

You really can't make a great handling 3rd gen with $1000. You can improve it, but it takes alot more when you consider the shocks, tires, etc. I have about $2500 in mine (plus about $1100 in track wheels/tires) and I still have things I which I'd done different (springs, rear sway bar, and I need SFCs) and I need better tires.

 

I've long wondered what the order should be for mods, especially those of us blessed w/ an IROC, Z/28, Trans Am, etc.

Quick list (in no order)
Tires
STB
SFC's
Struts/Shocks
Springs
Sway bar bushings
Sway bars
Fr LCA bushings
Rr LCA's
Rr LCA brackets
Panhard bar
Torque Arm

Just a thought...
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Not sure where you are located, but you should be able to find a good set of 16x8 wheels for $200 or so (PM if you are interested). Tires at about $125/ea and you've made a HUGE improvement for the money. I'm happy with my Kumho Ecsta SPT's we put on. I strongly suggest looking for used parts within that budget, your $$$ will go MUCH further and no one will ever see them anyway!

 

I'm running 17x9.5 wheels with 245/40 Kumho Ecsta tires. I also have the following:

Edelbrock STB
Spohn Wonder Bar
Ploy Front & Rear Sway Bar Bushings
Poly Front & Rear End Link Bushings
Spohn LCAs
Edelbrock Tubular Panhard Rod
Monroe Gas Matic Shocks.

I still want to replace the struts and go with some Eibach springs. It handles now like it's on rails. Alot of fun to drive.

 

You'd be amazed how much good some real shocks would do for your car.