ok i just got my 83 camaro and im pulling the engine and trans this weekend. so i figure while the engine is out would be a great time to beef/fix up the suspension.

now for my question. What would be the best things to get with maybe a $400-$600 budget. basically i want to get everything neccessary out of the way. things that can be shanged easily like sway bars springs ect i want to leave for a later day. i was thinking about a energy suspension kit.http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
i saw one like this but came with the body bushing for about $195. i would love any and all input on this since im pulling the motor in 2 days and would love ot get the suspension parts ordered.

Oh and btw this is mainly for street use so i dont need really expensive highend drag stuff.

 

i personally would forget that kit, it comes with a lot of stuff you dont need.

While the engine is out, this is the perfect time to swap in some new motor mounts, stock rubber or poly, the choice is yours.

New trans mount if you dont already have one.

Thats really it in the engine bay

Poly a-arm bushings would be nice too, and taking the a-arms off will make changing the motor mounts a lot easier.

Everything else can be dont later and are not affected by the engine.


Also, maybe cleanup the engine bay, repaint it, and check conditions of the brake and fuel lines and replace as nessisary.

 

planned on cleaning and repainting engine bay. i didnt mean only change things because the engine was out. It really needs a front end rebuild. its an 83 and most is prolly stock maybe even original.

i saw the list in the stickyfor the front end rebuild prices and it looks to be about 400-500 for everything.

also would the body bushings ever be worth it. just dont knwo how well its would effect handeling(if at all) or ride quality.

 

Wonderbar, Subframe Connectors, Rear control arms, Panhard Bar. In that order. You should be able to get used for $500-$600 maybe less.

 

wouldnt reccomend replacing all those bushings? also the steering has a chunk of play. we found this out trying to tow it home

hawks has everythign you said for around $525

 

You didn't mention that. But yes start from a sound foundation. Check what is causing the play. It could be a variety of reasons from steering shafts, steering box, or any part of your suspension linkage. Don't just start replacing bushings assuming thats where the play is. There are plenty of guys who have replaced everything below and found that it was the intermediate steering shaft, or their rebuilt "Z" box they bought off EBAY. Diagnose the problem and go from there.

 

look around on here and find you a set of IROC sway bars, springs, and a wonderbar. As for aftermarket stuff i would definetly put in new motor mounts and a tranny mount, after that you should still have enough money to buy a kit with a tubular panhard bar and LCA's. But the steering being sloppy it could be as little as a rag joint and as much as a steering box, id say its something in the shaft though.

 

I think what you are wanting to do is rebuild the steering, not the suspension. If that is the case, check Spohn.nets steering rebuild kit. Supposed to be a top quality kit and it'll have everything you need but the steering box itself.

 

dont see a kit there but ill start looking around

also as for the steering being sloppy i didnt drive it it was when i tried to tow it on a dolly with the rear wheels. ended up having to put the front wheels on the dolly.

 

Hello
I see that you are looking for a suspension set-up! Well I just wanted to throw this out there for you that UMI Performance has a lot to offer for your set-up. Below is a link to show you what all we have.

http://www.umiperformance.com/82-92fbody

If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be glad to help!
Thanks
Brad

 

Here is the kit I was talking about. It's $300, but that should leave you enough for some bushings elsewhere in the car.

 

well that kits is $365.64 with shipping. what about this one? http://www.1aauto.com/1A/ChassisSusp...ampaign=1ATony

is it worth the extra prolly $45 for the spohn?

unless theres some code to get spohn a little cheaper or save on shipping.

 

anyone think there would be a big difference between those 2 kits?

 

It's hard to say without knowing who manufactures the kit. If it were me, I'd go with the Spohn just for the peace of mind knowing where it was made and Spohn's reputation for quality. But you aren't me lol

 

I went with the Spohn kit + pair of lower ball joints $363 total to my door.
Everything fit perfect and the tie rod adjusters are big improvement over stock. The zinc coating is also a plus.

 

Thanks Jekt for posting. If anyone has a question about a product we carry,feel free to PM me with the thread, and I'll be glad to answer any questions for you.Missed this one.

 

can you tell us the manufacturer or will it vary?

 

Hey, sorry forgot to respond to this for yah.

This is a kit that we've put together over here for you guys. The parts are from a few different manufacturers,it's a very good quality kit and it'll help to restore the front end of your car to how it was when it rolled off the lot.

Tony