Hey guys,
I'm in the process of putting an LS1 in my car and I am doing some suspension upgrades while I'm at it. The one suspension item that I came to that I had no idea which way to go on was the upper strut mounts. So I decided to start a thread on here to see if some of you suspension gurus can help shed some light on the subject for me.

Just so you know, I did do an "upper strut mount" search, but I didn't see anything that compared the two types that I am looking at buying. So if this has already been covered somewhere else, please just copy a link on here for me. I don't want to rehash anything that has already been covered on here. Here are the two different styles of them on Hawk's site that I am looking at. There are the caster/camber plates... http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/82...berplates.aspx and the fabricated spherical upper strut mounts... http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ca...ountspair.aspx. Which of these two would be the better option for my set-up? I already bought Eibach Sportline springs (along with tubular lower A-arms & a BMR STB - not that either of these two items should affect anything).

From what I have read, both of these items are taller than stock which should allow more strut travel, correct? Sorry, I'm a noob when it comes to suspension set-up. I just want to make sure I get it correct the first time.

Here is a link to my LS1 swap in case you need more information https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...p-my-89-a.html. I appreciate any help you guys can give me

 

Your suspension travel is largely determined by the jounce bumpers. There are 2 for an Fbody; a 15" tire one and a 16" tire one. The 16 is taller and allows less vertical travel for extra clearance when using the 16, (or larger) wheel. Both those set ups you list are nice but are more for reducing any unwanted flex/motion and allow for more/finer adjustments. Unless you're going to autocross/road race, a set of quality replacements ought to serve you just fine for a lot less money.

 

Either of them are good choices to make. And will be better than the stock replacements (which would essentially just replace a 20 year old rubber piece with a new rubber piece).

Both of the products in your link give you more adjustment than the stock upper strut mounts offer.

The strut tower brace you already have will work better, because it will have a more rigid foundation (the new upper strut mounts) compared to the soft jello like stock strut mounts.

The Spohn product is more expensive simply because it's fancy looking. The UMI product will do all that you will need.....However, I would suggest buying a set of J&M strut mounts from Colorado Speed instead. They're running at the same price as the UMI, except they're 30% off and free shipping. ($152)

 

Here are the recommended settings for your alignment after getting the strut mounts. These are much better than the stock factory settings (+0.3° camber and +4.7° caster)

With Sportlines and better strut mounts, you should have no problem achieving these figures.

 

Great information guys. Thank you very much I'll go check out those J&M ones now

 

Well Reid, I took your advice and bought those J&M ones from Colorado Speed. It was just too good of a deal to pass up. Thanks for the advice