Ok, so I've already purchased a LS1 big brake upgrade for the front, and PBR upgrade for the rear. I am sold on the 17x9 YearOne Snow Flakes...I think they look great. Now I want to lower it. I've decided on Eibach Sportline lowering springs. I understand I need a adjustable pan-hard bar, and lower control arms as well as an adjustable torque arm. If I purchased this kit:
http://www.hotchkis.net/8202_gm_fbod..._pckg_red.html
Would I still need relocation brackets? Also I have a borg warner 9 bolt. I am having difficulty finding an adjustable torque arm Any idea where I can pick one up? Any suggestions on brands other than hotchkins? I read somethings on lakewood... I am just trying to get all my parts together to do everything at once.

 

you dont really "need" any of those parts. you may need the adjustable panhard, if the axle ends up being majorly offcented, but the other parts are not "needed" just because you are lowering the car.

good shocks and struts are a must, as well as tires.

btw, that hotchkis kit is brutally overpriced

 

Agreed - you will need the adjustable panhard for the Sportlines, but none of the rest.

 

Well I read the lowering 101 thread. Thats what gave me the impression of all the necessary parts. I want to do it right, and I am not against spending the money on the suspension. Any recommendations on shocks and struts?

 

Lower control arms can be replaced if it makes you happy - there are certainly better options than stock. But there's no need to get relocating brackets - those are mainly used to relocate the rear for better traction at the dragstrip with slicks. Then, relocating lower control arms may necessitate an adjustable torque arm as well - again all part of getting better traction at the dragstrip, but has nothing to do with street driving.

Shocks struits would be personal preference. I love my Bilsteins, and they used to be all the rage - but they are not as popular these days as the Koni's seem to be.

 

I was under the understanding that when I lower the rear end the relocation brackets were needed to keep the rear tires centered in the wheel well. The car is not a drag car, just a really nice cruiser on nice days, otherwise she sits in the garage covered up. But I've been debating on lowering it, and don't want to mess up my alignment with a drop.

 

You'll not notice any off centering, except the entire axle from left to right - that's where the adjustable panhard rod comes into play.

 

Ahhh, I see, so some konis, a panhard bar, and some eibach sportlines? Should do her right then? Just for the record lower trailing arms and lower control arms are the same thing...???

 

Any thoughts on these UMI? Seem cheap to me?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/UPI-201520-R/

 

you really want to stay away from a tubular control arm that has poly joints on both sides, they will bind a lot more than stock and will actually hurt performance.

The best street setup by far are the arms with the delrin lined joints on each side. they have the same free movement as a rod end, without the added noise.

Now for the control arm relocation brackets. the rear control arms want to be about level at ride height. the issue with the brackets is that the first new set of mounting holes are a lot lower and unless the car is lowered a crap ton, the first hole will still be a little low. So most of the time, these are more of a drag orientated part, since they can help traction.

 

The best street setup by far are the arms with the delrin lined joints on each side.

How about an example of the control arms with "derlin lined joints". I am considering this upgrade soon and want to get it right the first time

 

Spohn and UMI both make a set, look them up