Alright, so i've put my project away for the winter but come spring time, since my front suspension is pretty worn out I'm going to be replacing all the shocks/struts and springs. I'm not exactly sure what to get and I was wondering if anyone had anything they would like to recommend. I'm looking for a little bit of a drop to give it a clean look but i don't want too much drop cause thats just not right. maybe 1" - 1.5". but most importantly i'm looking to get a bit more of a responsive/stiffer sportier feel out of the ride. so far eibach springs and kyb shocks/struts are grabbing me. but if anyone has any recommendations i'd like to hear them.

also, would lowering the car throw off the suspension geometry?

 

eibach prokit

a set of lower control arm relocation brackets would be good to corrrect the angle of the rear control arms. After that and shocks/struts, get a good alignment done and you are set.

 

whats the difference between the prokit and the sportlines? i plan to replace the lca's anyways, so i guess i might as well do the relocation brackets. good to know though, thanks.

 

Sportlines are a 2 in drop, prokit is a 1 in drop.

I used Eibach Prokit springs all around, and went with the Bilsteins all around, and I really like it. I also installed an adjustable panhard rod to help with the geometry, but left the stock LCA's. While I was there, I did poly bushings all around, new tie rods, new ball joints. I left my A-arm bushings alone - they were still ok shape, and it's a big job without a press and airtools.

The Eibach Prokit actually raised my car up a tad, which you'll probably find as well - it happens to most cars. The factory springs are usually so worn out by now, that shorter springs are actually taller when installed - at least at first. After a few days they settle in some. But the handling is ten fold over the old worn out stock parts.

 

This thread pretty much explains it all.
Search tool is awesome!
I reccomend against the SportLines due to the amount they lower the car compared to their spring rates. Some people love them, but these are usually people who've only had the SportLines.
I'd also reccomend spending the extra coin and getting the KONIs. They will last much longer, have better dampening qualities (car will handle better), and come with a lifetime warranty.
Don't use dual end polyurathane bushings on the LCAs. I think that's explained in that thread as well. If it's not, send me a PM and I'll explain it.

 

man, thanks for the replies so quick. so the sportlines are sort of only good for dropping the car, whereas the pro kit is a bit more serious. a little stiffer.

what would you recomment as the best bang/buck shocks? i looked at koni's website and to replace all the shocks around with "special d's" (they only show two kinds of shocks for the camaro) and the total is around 700 and change. are they really worth the extra bit? i was hoping to spend around 400-500. I don't think i'll be seriously taking my car to any autocross or anything, i just want the car to feel crisp and responsive when i'm driving it. to feel like a sports car, if you know what i mean. are there other ways to go for that, or are the koni's what i want?

 

I've been pleased with my Tokico Illumina shocks & struts. I went with them from reviews I read here and other places. When I bought them, they just barely above the price range you're looking at from www.shox.com

 

I love having Koni Yellows and the Prokit.

 

the tokico's are a pretty descent price. I'm eying the the koni sports with the eibach pro-kit combo deal from them, however 1000 bux is alot of money, considering i'm a uni student lol. i paid 1300 for the car itself haha. whats the difference between koni red's and koni yellow's? the shox site only sells red's for the 3rd gens.

by the way, does anyone have a picture of a third gen with a 1" drop on stock or close to stock wheels (no 17" low aspect ratio wheels) because i have 15" weld draglites and some beefy tyres. also, the 255's in the back stick out a little bit, i'm worried that they'll hit or rub up against the quarter panel.

thanks again guys.

 

The cheapest prices you can get for the ProKit/KONI is Hotpart.com for the KONIs and shox.com for the Prokit. The Yellows from shox are 800, from HotPart they are ~ $680.
I know my car has 17s you didn't ask for, but here's a recent shot to give you an idea of how the car might set.

Pro-Kit (about three years old) and KONIs (about two) without front or rear spring isolators.

 

Add the LCA relocation brackets when you add some engine. As soon as you get some hp you will need them.
STB is nice anytime.
If the car looks like it will last, add sub frame connectors, when you can.

 

LCARBs are a good idea at any point after lowering. I have them on my car, and then engine is stock. They correct the LCA angle after lowering.

 

Yeah, i've dropped in a 350 punched to 360. its a 69' block with 71' heads with a cam, intake, exhaust, couple tricks so because of this SFC's are the first to go in, i don't want to twist her to bits. then apparently the LCA's give up first so i'm going to be replacing them so all that stuffs going in regardless. i'll probably be going with the UMI stuff, i've heard nothing but good things about their products.

 

I agree with what has been said. My sig and VB garage tell all I have done... so far.

Mike

I'm currently trying to strike a deal on an Edelbrock STB #5226... so that may soon appear in my sig as well

 

I have just about everything in the UMI catalog for 3rd gens on my car, minus SFCs (Alston Racing) and STB (Edelbrock 3 point). Great quality and customer service!!!!!!!! Combined with Koni Yellows and the Eibach Prokit, my car is really fun to drive.

 

I'm wanting to get a STB. Just don't have the money. If you want, I can show you how to make your own LCAs/PHB. I made my own LCAs, and the same process can be used for the PHB.

 

are Koni yellows the same as koni sports, just people call them yellows because they're yellow? and the koni reds are a step down from the yellows?

 

You are correct sir, on both questions

 

so now my question is are the koni yellows worth the extra 250 more than the KYB AGx's? someone said its worth the extra coin and opt for the koni's.

 

Although I've never had the KYBs, I am really happy with the Konis. I paid $550 shipped, still new in the box. Someone had bought them, never installed them, wrecked their car, and put them on ebay. I doubt that I would have bought them if I hadn't found that deal. But I'm sure glad I did!!!!!

 

I've not had the KYBs, but I would think from what I've read about them that they are. But, that's because I want the best performing shock that'll last the longest (within reason).