Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Front end upgrades for 600+hp

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 03:17 PM
  #1  
Sonicbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Front end upgrades for 600+hp

I currently have a 91 t-top that the previous owner had put everything but the front suspension from an 86 irock in (car was originally a v6). I managed to get the car for $700 because it wouldn't pass California smog and the rear transmission seal was leaking now I'm going to get an 6.2 ls3 e-rod engine and a 4l60e. After the car passes inspection I plan on stripping it for paint (currently 3 different blacks) and during that time I plan on doing a supercharger, cam, and heads. I know I'll need to swap the back axle, add sub frames and I'll put a roll cage in it. I feel I have a decent handle on what I'm going to need on everything but the front end in I fully admit I have no clue about I just know that the current one will most likely not handle very well. I checked the stickies and what posts I found but it seemed to mostly be restoring the original and lowering. It will mostly be a streetcar with the occasional trip to the drag strip and maybe track.

Any recommendations or just general knowledge would be much appreciated.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 06:50 PM
  #2  
QwkTrip's Avatar
COTM Editor
25 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,421
Likes: 2,083
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

Just get some V8 springs to handle the extra weight and suitable shocks.
The rest is just a matter of rebuilding what might be worn out.

You can upgrade more things but I would just see how it drives and go from there.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 06:54 PM
  #3  
Sonicbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

Originally Posted by QwkTrip
Just get some V8 springs to handle the extra weight and suitable shocks.
The rest is just a matter of rebuilding what might be worn out.

You can upgrade more things but I would just see how it drives and go from there.
ok thank you I thought it would be more complicated than that.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 07:00 PM
  #4  
QwkTrip's Avatar
COTM Editor
25 Year Member
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,421
Likes: 2,083
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

After you yank out the engines the V6 and V8 cars are very similar. Whether V6 or V8 doesn't matter because the V8 drivetrain and brakes are woefully inadequate anyway for what you're doing. The same parts are going to be removed & upgraded either way.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 09:01 PM
  #5  
Orr89RocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

I atleast would do a steering bar brace aka iroc wonderbar. Keep a sway bar it seems to help stability at speed to me
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 09:07 PM
  #6  
Sonicbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

Originally Posted by Orr89RocZ
I atleast would do a steering bar brace aka iroc wonderbar. Keep a sway bar it seems to help stability at speed to me
I was going to do a wonderbar and probably a 3 point strut tower brace. Plus thinking gen v brakes from big brake upgrade.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 09:13 PM
  #7  
Orr89RocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

Yeah those are good things

i like a stiff spring, helps handling and braking nose dive it seems. Strut settings can help
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 09:29 PM
  #8  
Sonicbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

good to know. I'm expecting it to be a bit of a rough ride. This is going to be my play car my daily besides my company vehicle is a 2015 v6 commenertive edition rs camaro so my main goals with my 91 is speed with enough handling to keep it going the direction I want it to go.
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 09:36 PM
  #9  
Orr89RocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

Dont need alot imo. I had basic street adjustable shocks like a koni and eibach springs, stock big sway, tds wonderbar and all the bolt on rear suspension stuff. Corvette c5 brakes. Stable as can be at 170 mph
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2018 | 09:43 PM
  #10  
Sonicbeast's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Re: Front end upgrades for 600+hp

Originally Posted by Orr89RocZ
Dont need alot imo. I had basic street adjustable shocks like a koni and eibach springs, stock big sway, tds wonderbar and all the bolt on rear suspension stuff. Corvette c5 brakes. Stable as can be at 170 mph
hearing this relieves a lot of my concerns I had about steering seeing as when this car was made they probably didn't think people would be shoving this much power in them.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rustybutch
Exterior Parts for Sale
0
Aug 25, 2016 11:40 PM
game1939
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
4
Mar 30, 2010 08:42 PM
91 Ragtop
Body
6
Sep 2, 2006 02:20 PM
ActionFX
Body
2
May 31, 2003 09:28 PM
Fade00
Auto Detailing and Appearance
12
Dec 6, 2002 06:42 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:35 AM.