But I can not find any thread that really covers what I need it to. This Christmas I plan on putting new shocks and struts on my Formula along with a bushings kit, but I want to make sure I'm getting the best considering price and use. I have the bushings kit picked out, but don't know where to go from there. I'm looking at $300-500, more if I have to. It is my daily driver, not really something I plan on racing with. I have no idea how good the stock suspension was on these things considering the suspension all around had almost no life left when I got the vehivle so I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to get OEM. Any input is appreciated.

 

Kinda all depends on what you want. I used Eibach lowering springs (1" Prokit) and Bilsteins - I wanted lowered look/ride, and much stiffer performance-feel suspension. Ive used regular old KYB shocks/struts and they rode more like factory (RS setup) - a little "floaty" for me - but they performed fine.

I think more important is springs vs. shocks - the springs actually handle the bump, the shocks dampen the spring recoil after the bump. New springs will make a world of difference if yours are original - but know that new stock springs will raise the car height as your old ones are sagged due to age. They will settle some after use, but ride height should be a tad higher than old original springs. My lowered springs actually raised my rear ride height upon install, and settled after use, but I don't think it's a complete 1 in lower than my old original saggy springs - but definitely 1 in lower than new stock replacements.

If money and/or time is tight, I'd do front in one step and rear in another, since the front is harder, might as well do shocks and springs in one step rather than tearing it down twice - give yourself a day to do the fronts. Ball joints and tie rod ends can be done anytime - no need for intense tear-down of front end to put in new ones. Rear is pretty easy, since springs are more easily removed, and shocks are way easier than struts.

If you do the front springs - make sure to use the "chain through the k-member" method so you don't take your head off when that spring pops out!

For reference - it cost me about $1200 total for the Eibachs, the Bilsteins, Napa tie rod ends, Napa ball joints, and poly bushings all around. Order anything you can from Autozone or Advance (except the Napa parts of course) - they often can order the "good stuff" that thy don't carry instore, they order for free, ship to store for free (usually in a day or two), and if you change your mind, it's a hassle-free return with no shipping/restocking fees.

 

[QUOTE=Mr Froman;4341803]But I can not find any thread that really covers what I need it to. This Christmas I plan on putting new shocks and struts on my Formula along with a bushings kit.../QUOTE]

For a DD, I'd personally suggest replacing the OE rubber.

JamesC

 

Thanks for the replies. camaronewbie, would you say I would need to adjust my camber angle for the 1" lowering springs?

 

Camber - hmmm .... now your getting over my head LOL. I just got a front end alignment after I redid mine, and I didn't ask - I just let the guy do his thing. It wasn't because of the lowering springs that I got aligned, it was because I did it all at once - tie rod ends, ball joints, struts, springs, shocks, bushings - I spent a 8 hour day replacing the entire suspension.

I got lucky - the Firestone store I went to - the alignment guy was a 3rd gen owner as well - had a really nice IROC. He appreciated my car as well, and took his time, and I trusted him to do it correctly - that was 3 years ago. I chose Firestone because I'm a tight@ss, and they offered a "lifetime" alignment for $125, as opposed to a regular one-time alignment for $80 - so now I'm registered at any Firestone nationwide for free alignments anytime I need, as long as I own the car (which will be until I die, as I've got every penny I can beg borrow steal in this car! LOL)

 

Anyone else have any experience with Bilsteins? I was checking out this package, might go ahead and buy it.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SL...8/?image=large

 

Sorry, no experience with Bilstiens (Koni Reds here), but you might consider taking a peek at the following site for pricing (guaranteed low price, IIRC) and/or info:

http://www.shox.com/

JamesC

 

Might want to check with Bilstein and/or SLP on these. Not sure of the difference (if any), but Summit lists the SLP Bilsteins for 93-02 F-bodies, not the 82-92 - and on the Bilstein website, Bilstein lists different part numbers for 93-02 cars vs 82-92 cars. There may be something different in the front strut - the rears should be the same. But verify BEFORE you drop $400+.