Hey guys -

I'm new to the list, and have already picked up a lot of good information, such as the 1LE brake swap. Anyway, I just bought a 85 Z28 that I'll be working on for a while. My main goal for it is to be a street driver that I can take to the road courses or the auto x on the weekends.

So, I know right away that I'll need the IROC Wonderbar and I'm planning on weld in subframe connectors, and maybe a 6 or 8 point cage later. As far as the rest of the suspension goes, I'm open for suggestions. I've seen a lot on this list using the Eibach Pro Kits, but I was always partial to the Hotchkis stuff. Anyway, I'm still learning this 3rd gen suspension, so bear with me...

2nd gens are so much simpler...

Thanks

-Joel Likness

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- 85 Z28 In Progress
(Road Racer)
- 85 S10 350/350
(Drag Racer)

 

I'll give this a stab since i am faily new to suspension and just now considering purchasing my first suspension upgrades....

First sfc's are a must, then if you lower (springs) lca's and relocation brackets, then panhard bar, then torque arm, along with shocks and that takes care of the rear.

For the front you'll have new struts with your shocks and springs, then a strut tower brace and a wonderbar, then new bushings to round it off. I guess that's a start.

Check out steve spohn's site, the link is right above, you can learn a lot about what you need just from his sight, plus his products are of the highest quality.

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

 

First thing, is SFC's, then springs and shocks, with panhard rod to adjust for the rearend being off. Makesure you get a QUALITY alignment. Then go in with the rest of the goodies as you need them or your driving level increases. I would suggest the wonderbar, then poly bushings in the swaybars (this will help quite a bit) If youre on a budget you can go with the cheaper stuff, but Spohn quality and service is practically unbeatable. Just watch the boards and read the right articles. Do your homework and search the archives for alot of good info. Hotchkis has good stuff, but the only thing I'm using is the "Tie-Rod end adjuster sleeves" they're just too expensive for me, and the reps in their booth at SEMA were asses.

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Cody "cyZ28" Young
'84 black on black Z28

355, 5-speed (on the way out. What goes back in, ooohh baby!!)
http://www.geocities.com/mustang_tbird/codypage.html

 

If you plan to autocross or roadrace, first check the rulebook of the organization in which you wish to participate, before you modify anything. If you are a beginner, the classes that are best for you have restrictions on suspension/ chassis modification. Many of the mods that you will read about on this site are illegal in those classes.

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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.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. Seems like everyone's real impressed with the Spohn stuff.

As far as some modifications being illegal, I have thought about that, but for AutoX, all they'll do is move you up one division. I don't mind that, because I'm not doing it for the competetion against other people, I already have a circle track car for that... I'm just doing it to improve my own driving skills, have a little bit of fun, and maybe eventually move into some real competitive road racing (but not with this car). I want this car to be a fairly frequent driver, but maybe not quite daily.

-Joel Likness

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- 85 Z28 In Progress
(Road Racer)
- 85 S10 350/350
(Drag Racer)