I'm going back and forth between a full front/rear coilover system and a front coilover with regular rear shocks and weight jacks in the back. I have heard from some people that the rear mounting area for the shocks is not built to hold up to the full weight of the car, and so the coilover setups are not ideal on the rear.

My car is lowered on Hotchkis springs and I want to try to keep it at the same ride height. It weighs approximately 3,500 lbs and is street driven. I take it to the track maybe twice a season, so I'm primarily looking for street performance here.


For the rear setup, if I don't go with a true coilover system, I'm looking at the Viking Performance double adjustable shocks on UMI's website and the Ground Control weight jacks (provided that they work with the Viking shocks):

http://umiperformance.com/catalog/in...8dcpb3hj738002

http://www.ground-control-store.com/...hp/II=20/CA=86


What's the general consensus for the best bang for your buck for the front systems, and what does everyone think about going with the Viking rear shocks and weight jacks?

 

The rear weight jacks install in the factory spring location so it does not matter what shock you use.

My opinion, forget front coilovers. They don't really prove much on these cars except a small weight savings if any. They also severly limit your front ends alignment ability since the spring goes up through the wheel well and take up most of the room used for adjusting camber/caster. Spend the money on Konica yellows Instead and use weight jacks up front too or a spring of your choice

 

Gotcha, I didn't realize the weight jacks sat in the factory spring pockets. I thought they attached to the top of a regular shock and turned them into a "home-made" type of coilover.

I forgot to mention in the original post, and have now edited it, but I currently have the car lowered on Hotchkis springs and want to try to keep it around the same ride height. So I'm not sure how this will change my options for whatever parts I decide to get...

 

I love the wolfe racraft rear spring setup with racecraft or pa racing front coilover.

 

What is your goal with the swap? Why do you wnat to change what you have?

 

Gc weight jacks are for the front & coilovers go in the rear. Spring rate & shocks/struts will determine comfort. I like them because they are adjustable, gonna go with air bags soon :-)

 

I have to change what I have because the KYb shocks I have are shot and my rear tires are kissing the quarters when I hit bumps on the highway. And the fronts are about done too. I want it to have a more comfortable ride but still handle well.

Ground Control's website says their weight jacks can be used for the rear too.

 

Buy some konis.
Weight jacks typically use stiff springs. I would not think you would get a more comfortble ride with them.

 

Yes, but that means you have to drill a hole to access it. Fronts are adjusted from under the hood. Theirs a member on here with a jamaica yellow formula that made his own weight jacks & the rear adjustments come through the rear of the car & fronts are up under the hood, all are for easy adjustment.

 

You will have to play with spring rates to get the ride you want if you are going with weight jacks in the rear. You will also have to make the rear spring pearches bigger & reinforce them so it wont bend.

 

I assume you are talking about Koni shocks not springs, right?

 

Yeah, koni shocks and struts

 

I will price them out, I just thought that those Viking double adjustable rear shocks looked like a hard bargain to beat at $179 each. I may even just try keeping the Hotchkis springs with the new front and rear shocks/struts to see how it rides before dropping the cash on new springs or weight jacks. I am hoping the with new shocks it will eliminate the rubber to quarter panel issue I have currently.

 

It does sound like new struts and shocks would help, but i have to say i've never been a fan of hotchkis springs, their rates are low for what i would consider a perfomance spring. I'm not sure hotchkis springs are even as stiff as stock. Eibachs have better rates and are cheaper.

If you get GCWJ, get the longer spring options because you will never go as low as the shorter springs allow.

I run Koni yellows with GCWJ and really like them. Can't say i'm not interested in the viking double adjustables though.

 

AIRBAGS AIRBAGS AIRBAGS

 

your car would be a good candidate for airbags.

 

Airbags are out of my price range. I'm trying to do this, get new exhaust made for the car, pour a new section of concrete driveway, and put a new deck on my house this year. I'll be lucky if I can do 3 out of the 4 things. lol

 

Ok get new shocks for the rear & see if that helps. If so then do your other projects. Next year i better see some air bags on it....lmao

 

Driveway & deck you can do it yourself ....lol

 

Yea but the supplies will still cost quite a bit. Haha

 

I used Koni yellows and swivel cup weight jacks (inexpensive, but some labor). I reinforced the upper shock mount and used rear coil-overs.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...g-vetruck.html

Hyperco springs get my vote.