Well, Im about ready to work on the 89 camaro suspension. I have pretty much done everything I really want to the car except for suspension. I guess its because i know absolutely nothing about it. So, I am planing on taking my car to my mechanic and getting him to install everything. The car has a very harsh ride right now. I really want to rebuild the rear suspension and front suspension including the steering. I want the car to have a nice ride not to super firm, but I also would like it to go around a corner with a little bit of confidence. So, is there anybody out there that can give me a long list of parts to buy. Everything from steering rebuild kits, shocks, struts, springs.. ect.. Im talking about a nice list. Everything.. and yes, im also looking to put some new wheels on it...

Here is a pic of the car.. (305 block .30 over... 10.0:1 pistons.... stock rebuilt heads... TPI and so so much more...)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6SMH-hTsoQ

 

Im really just looking to replace all the parts with good quality replacements. I also may want to lower it just a hair. Can anyone please help? Im just looking for a good long list

 

Are you wanting Oem parts or aftermarket?

 

Aftermarket parts are just fine. Im not trying to break the bank however. Thanks for your reply.

 

No problem, if youre looking for a good ride/handling car then you can start with this....

Strut tower bar
Front lower A arms with poly bushings
Good set of struts/springs depending on what your intentions are with the car (drag/street/track)
Steering gear box or rebuild kit
Chassis steering brace
Subframe connectors (if they're needed)
Rear lower control arms with poly bushings
Relocation brackets (if necessary)
Good set of rear shocks/springs again depending on the application
Aftermarket panhard bar with polybushings
Torque arm (adjustable or non)

That should be good to get you going, if you have any questions about anything just let me know or you can give Dennis a call at 813.986.9302 and he'll help you out also.

 

Thank you so much... I may leave out the strut tower bar, new A arms, and sub frame connectors for now. Im just looking to clean up the parts already there. The car has over 200,000 miles on the suspension. Nothing has ever been replaced. You can imagine how it rides. I took a lot of weight out of the front end, so I imagine the car sits a little higher up front? Im really just looking to replace all steering parts and suspension parts with good aftermarket replacements.

 

Well to start things off you need to get some good springs/shocks struts. Do a search on that and youll get tons of info on different brands, to keep this short i had the same requirements as you. I have Tokico Illumina 5 way adjustable shocks/struts and an Eibach pro kit springs which give a 1-1.5in drop. The next thing you should do is get a front end rebuild kit, i think hawks and spohn sell complete kits for around 400$ and its everything you need. Other than that you either want to just replace your bushings on all suspension components, or upgrade to aftermarket. Here is my suspension list, when i get the money its the next stuff going on my car

Tokico 5 way adj shocks/struts
Eibach Pro Kit
Adjustable Panhard rod
control arm relocation brackets
tubular non adjustable lower control arms
poly bushings


That should work for you as well, it replaces most of the parts with aftermarket, and leaves some stock ones that are just fine, like the torque arm because my car is just a street cruising car.

 

What adjustable parts will I need to install, so that i can adjust the wheel geometry? I would very much like to install 1.5 in drop springs but I just need to know what parts I will have to install so that the geometry is correct..

 

You would need drop spindles instead of drop springs.

 

you wouldn't need drop spindles. drop spindles will maintain better front end geometry but if you're not going for all out handling, stock spindles will do fine. I would suggest 1"-1.5" lowering springs as stock replacements may raise your ride heights from where they are now. Subframe connectors are an item to consider! They will stiffen the car and help get rid of some squeeks and rattles. As far as brands of shocks and struts, I'll wait for others to chime in as I have yet to replace mine (though they could use it). You should consider an adjustable panhard bar to make sure the rear end is centered in the car. Box your lower control arms on the rear or buy aftermarket arms. It doesn't sound as though your plans for the car would require too many aftermarket suspension parts.

 

yeah, im not looking to go all out. Im trying to keep a budget. I didnt want to do drop spindals. So what adjustable parts will I need to install with the lowering springs?

 

adjustable panhard bar would probably be the only adjustable you'd need. lower control arm relocation brackets would probably be a good idea. you can do them after the fact, though. once you do the springs, look at the angle on your lcas with the car sitting level and at normal ride height. you want the front end of the lca to be slightly higher than the rear up to parallel to the ground. if you have any angle the other way, you need the relocation brackets. other than that, I don't think you'd need adjustable parts.

 

You don't truly "need" drop spindles but you asked for the correct geometry. You can get a bump steer kit

 

Thanks

 

One other thing... As far as the rear suspension goes, what else should I replace, other than the rear springs, shocks, and panhard bar? Should a bushing kit do it? Also, I now understand how to correct the problems in the rear. But how do you correct problems in the front suspension when installing lowering springs? Anymore help will be greatly appriciated. Thanks!

 

We offer a steering rebuild kit that will tighten the front end up for you.Here's a link to it on our site.

Camaro Steering Linkage Kit

 

What brand parts are those? I am getting ready to rebuild all mine too.

 

It's a kit we've put together in house for you guys using our parts. It's a nice kit.There are a few guy out here that have bought it. Maybe they'll chime in.

 

Hey Tony.

What about the sway, & A arm bushings?
Do u guys sell springs also?
Id like to go one inch lower then stock. Thanks.

 

Tony's kit looks like a good deal.
I would add to that a-arm bushings, preferably polyurethane.
The bushings need specialized tools for installation, so plan
on having that done. W/ over 200k miles, I'd also replace the
strut tower bearings. Unless you think the springs really need
replacing, staying w/ the original ride height will be cheapest.
What do you really want to accomplish with lowering. If you
feel the springs really need replacing, than that is probably
the path of least resistance for lowering.

For the rear, check the condition of all the bushings, and alignment.
My stock components were just slightly off, so I went with some
BMR adjustable LCA's and pan-hard.

I'm putting Monroe Sensatrack's all around, as a modest upgrade.
The adjustable shocks, etc. are significantly more expensive, and
intended to address some very specific performance issues -- i.e.
what is your intended use, when done?

Good luck


PS. If you've done everything else, replacing suspension parts is not that hard.
Just remember to have everything properly braced and supported when disassembling.

 

Shoot so their is more parts to add to the list then? The strut bearings! God get me off this ride? Changing the springs is a new idea since I just started reading up, & am having front end problems ect. I didnt want to drive the car for another couple of years but its the same story we all know. Sold the DD to pay bills. Now my wife drives it a lot, and a tie rod is showing its ugly face. Right after new struts, tires and alignment. Never fails I take a short cut, and get screwed.

Shouldnt the alignment tech have noticed something?

So how many votes on keeping the springs the same??? Some people swear by springs, & struts being the only way go. Any real facts about wear as far as springs go? I mean I dont want so sales man telling me I need them if I dont. I dont have cash to blow.

 

The suspension seems like a huge task but unlike the engine, it can easily be divided into different sections to make it easier on the budget. One thing that seems to be glossed over is the subframe connectors. With that many miles, and the upgrades you want to do I would say they are a must. Many people would agree with saying that they should be the absolute first item installed. After that, start at the rear/front and work your way towards the other end. I swapped out my panhard rod and LCAs one weekend. Then when the budget allowed, I installed pieces one at a time. Slowly but surely you'll get it done and your car will feel completely different-in a good way. Don't be intimidated with the installation of suspension parts. There are many great threads detailing nearly every aspect of suspension upgrades. You'll save a butt-ton of money on labor doing it yourself. You will be amazed at how easy some of the installs are.

 

Forgot to mention, read the sticky on suspesion upgrades at the top of the suspension forum. It has a lot of great information.

 

This thread might come in handy during your project...

 

Big thanks for all the help with my car. Im about 1 week away from ordering all the parts I will need for this project... Yes i am going to replace the springs and yes, i will also replace most of the other parts that you guys listed. When finished I will post pictures of under the car and the new ride height.. Also, I plan on doing this all in 2 weeks time.. Then, I am going to take the car on a 1000 mile road trip in january.. Cant wait

 

Sorry for the slow response on this,I just saw the thread. We do not at the current time. I'll have our purchasing guys look at into this and see if it's something that we can get.

 

Okay that's cool. I have more time then money lol.