My suspension's 15 years old so it's probably time to replace it. The car is an 86 trans am, original ws6 package, with the only suspension/chassis mod being sfc's.

So i'm probably looking for shocks, struts, and springs, if they're needed. I'm looking for the best in street/strip with the capabilities of handleing a road coarse. I'm not necessarily looking to lower the car, although will if i can gain better performance. SO what are your suggestions for a good shock/strut.spring combo that would fit what i'mlooking for, an all around performance suspension, better than the ws6 factory package if possible.

thanks

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1986 Trans Am
305 TPI
"If it's not one thing, it's another!"
http://www2.hanover.edu/hierlmeier

 

Eibach pro kit springs with KYB shock/struts if your on a budget. Eibach pro kit springs and bilstein or koni shock/struts if you have the money.

 

One question about the Eibach springs. Aren't they lowering springs??? I haven't seen a stock set made by Eibach yet.

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- Mike Harvey -
1986 Firebird S/E

 

The Eibach pro-kit lowers 1.25" www.groupawheels.com has a combination Eibach pro-kit/Tokico gas shocks/struts for $400.00. I believe the Tokico are at least equivalent to Bilstein shocks and better than KYB. You save money buying the kit as opposed to buying separate.
Craig

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84 Z28 305HO, 5spd, 220,000 miles, Edelbrock intake, Hedman headers, low restriction exh(w/cat), K&N air filter. Best 1/4 so far 14.649 at 94.77mph

 

1.25" seems like a pretty big drop for an already low car, my headers to hang just a bit lower than stock, so i really dont want to drop it that far.

Which model of bilstein shocks and struts do i want? Any other suggestions on springs, that arent going to lower the car 1.25 inches, i'd say an inch is going to be the maximum i can accept on the lowering. Keep in mind 255 tires also.

thanks

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1986 Trans Am
305 TPI
"If it's not one thing, it's another!"
http://www2.hanover.edu/hierlmeier

 

check with ground control, in CA. they seem to be camaro/firebird experts on suspension.
http://www.ground-control.com

They have pkgs, and springs that only lower the car 1"

 

If have Eibach and KYBs and Poly all around. There is a harsh trade off . Harsh ride, scrapping and road bumb transfer. My wife hates to drive it now. I live with it everyday. Something that I wanted to share with you, the aftermarket vendors fail to state.

 

I would keep the stock springs, rebuild the front end with quality parts, replace all of the suspension bushings with poly-graphite, get the best shocks that fit your budget and shop for a strut tower brace. Since your car is an Iroc with WS6 suspension package, I assume that you already have a wonder bar and heavy duty sway bars. With all of the above and a good set of tires, Your car should run pretty sweet.

By the way, I thought that WS6 was a Pontiac RPO designation. Wouldn't the Chevrolet equivalent be 1LE? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

------------------
Nor Cal Mike
Red 84 Z28 HO, stock L82 350, L69 carb, intake, and air cleaner.
5 Spd, 3:73 Posi, 1 5/8" SLP headers, 3"cat connected to
stock L69 exhaust, KYB's, homemade SFC's,STB and wonderbar
Some are faster but mine's fast enough.

 

That seems like a very cheap price quote. Is that directly from them? I can't find pricing on their page anywhere.

I am assuming normal price of about $229 for the Eibach springs and $139/each front $55/each rear

That's an individual price of $617 if you bought seperately.

I'm not doubting you, I'm just curious if you got that quote directly from them.

Thanks,

Carl

 

Ok, here's the quotes I just got from groupawheels.com...

Eibach Pro-Kit #3801.140 $219.95/set $10-$30 shipping depending on shipping zone.

The Tokico strut & shock combo is offered in the Premium Performance at
$275.00 (non adjustable) & Illumina $498.00 (5 way adjustable )

Tokico offers a complete suspension kit which consists for (4) springs
(1.25" drop) & (2) struts & (2) shocks in the Premium Performance for
$417.00 & in the Illumina $587.00.


with shipping ranging from $20-$60 depending on UPS shipping zone.

Hope that helps on the combo packages

Now here's my question, is anyone using the Tokico complete package? Any good/bad opinions since they are not the "normal" that people talk about on this board?

Carl

BTW...I appologize for sort of walking over the original post, I was just trying to clarify pricing that was quoted earlier and perhaps I should move this to a new topic so that the original poster can be helped with his question.

[This message has been edited by GndPrx (edited January 12, 2001).]

 

If i'm going to do it, i'm going to do it right the first time. So what model/part number of the koni's do it need? summit, jegs?

Nor cal mike, i have a trans am not a iroc, and yes you are right about the rpo codes, just take a look at my name...



------------------
1986 Trans Am
305 TPI
"If it's not one thing, it's another!"
http://www2.hanover.edu/hierlmeier

 

86TransAM,
Do you have long tube headers? My friend has an 86 Transam with the Hotchkis springs(1" drop?) He might have 15" whls though. Let us know what you decide.
Have fun,
Craig

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84 Z28 305HO, 5spd, 220,000 miles, Edelbrock intake, Hedman headers, low restriction exh(w/cat), K&N air filter. Best 1/4 so far 14.649 at 94.77mph

 

I'd just put some Bilsteins on it and see how it feels. I installed a set, and that's all my car needed.

 

86 Trans Am,
I re-read your post duh, I think I need new glasses.

Summit has Koni's listed as'82-'87 All Incl TA Front... KON-87411030.....$139.95 each.

They don't list rear shocks for TA's, however they do have a listing for '85-'89 IROC-Z Rear.....KON-301265........$98.99 each

Good Luck

------------------
Nor Cal Mike
Red 84 Z28 HO, stock L82 350, L69 carb, intake, and air cleaner.
5 Spd, 3:73 Posi, 1 5/8" SLP headers, 3"cat connected to
stock L69 exhaust, KYB's, homemade SFC's,STB and wonderbar
Some are faster but mine's fast enough.

 

Craig, if have slp's and 16" rims.

Nor Cal Mike, thanks for the info, is suppose at least the shock/strut combo is now narrowed to either koni's or bilsteins.

So, pros/cons of the konis vs. bilsteins?

------------------
1986 Trans Am
305 TPI
"If it's not one thing, it's another!"
http://www2.hanover.edu/hierlmeier

 

I can't help you with that. I'm running KYB's and I'm satisfied.

If you're really serious, doing autocross or road racing then premium adjustable shocks are the way to go. If you're going to just set them in the middle and leave them then I don't see the advantage vs. cost ratio working out. Otherwise they're main purpose would be sig enhancement.

Anybody else have a different opinion?

Nor Cal MIke