Need Help With Shocks

**Corona-Extra** · 03-06-2006, 06:02 PM

I plan on lowering my TA sometime this summer. This is what I have in mind.

Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
set of sway bars
lower control arm relocation brackets
control arms
panhard bar
torque arm

now my question for yall is what shocks should I go with? Does this sounds like a good set up? Do yall have any other suggestions?

Thanks, J.C.

**91_RS_LS1** · 03-06-2006, 08:53 PM

I have the Eibachs Pro-Kits, and while they are good, I would like something stiffer. And I have heard that the 4th Gen ones are softer than the 3rd Gen ones. If it were me, I would look for something stiffer. Like Hotchkis.
As for the shocks/struts, it depends on how much you want to spend. If it were me, I would get Konis. I just ordered a set for my car.I have heard of some people having Bilsteins revavled for the spring rate. The Bilstein HDs aren't really made for lowered cars, I don't think.
Next down is Tokicos or KYB AGX adjustables.
Right now, the only thing that my car really do is handle, so I am going all out in that area.

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-07-2006, 06:20 AM

looks great depending on the swaybars you chose... the car needs to remain balanced.
With prokits, I would either go w/ Bilstein revalved or Koni SA, depending on your budget. I'd vote for the Bilstein revalved, which are cheaper and will react faster... the advantage of the Koni is the adjustability and will become handy when you change springs so you don't have to revalve the shock or change them.

**BIG D's SS** · 03-07-2006, 07:05 AM

I love the KYB AGX's and my Eibach pro kit. I have all the supporting mods for lowering minus a tq arm and my car rides better than stock. Highly recommend the KYB's and Eibach pro kit. Has a good stance and looks great.

**91_RS_LS1** · 03-07-2006, 03:32 PM

All of the stuff mentioned is better than the stock stuff, but I got less expensive shocks/struts once....OUCH.
It depends on what you want with the car, as well. I know two guys with 4th Gen TAs. One wants the lower look but not as much of the handling performance and the other is trying to optimise the handling (like me). The first guy is probably going with the KYBs and the guy that is goign for handling performance has Konis. Just whatever you want, I guess.

**Corona-Extra** · 03-07-2006, 04:33 PM

Well, I am going for more of the handling performance spectrum. I kinda want to try that whole motor cross thing. I don’t know what its official name is for them. But I’m sure there are a few groups here in Austin if not there has to be some in Houston.

**91_RS_LS1** · 03-07-2006, 04:53 PM

In that case, I would get Konis or revalved Bilsteins. The Konis are more, but they are adjustable. In the 3rd Gen world, Konis are the top of game for off the shelf stuff. I got some Monroes about a year ago to replace the stockers, and they are already about dead with the Eibachs. From now one, I am doing it right the first time. Saves money in the long run.

**Corona-Extra** · 03-07-2006, 05:01 PM

So your saying these Konis? Just curious, but how much are we talking here? I’m looking at doing all four, of course. And, do you have any links i might want to check out?

Thanks, J.C.

**91_RS_LS1** · 03-07-2006, 05:15 PM

spohn.net
That is where I get all my suspension. Might want to try thunder racing or something like that to compare prices. My Konis are $650 for a set. Looks like yours are closer to....$800. Man, that is big difference.

**Corona-Extra** · 03-07-2006, 05:19 PM

Whats the deal with the DOUBLE Adjustable and the SINGLE Adjustable?

**Corona-Extra** · 03-07-2006, 05:22 PM

Oh yea! And whats up with the Adjustable Lower Control Arms? Are they worth the money and would I need them for my application?

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-07-2006, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Corona-Extra

Whats the deal with the DOUBLE Adjustable and the SINGLE Adjustable?

SINGLE adj have only 1 knob that control both rebound and compression.
DOUBLE adj have 2 knobs: 1 for compression and 1 for rebound.

**Eugenio_SS** · 03-07-2006, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Corona-Extra

Oh yea! And whats up with the Adjustable Lower Control Arms? Are they worth the money and would I need them for my application?

they are adj in length so that you can mmake sure the LCA are as close to horizontal as possible and also allow you to align the rear so that the rear end is pointing forward dead-on, not @ a little angle off.

**Corona-Extra** · 03-07-2006, 08:41 PM

panhard bar??

**sills1** · 03-07-2006, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Corona-Extra

panhard bar??

Used to center your rearend on the car. If you lower your car, the rearend will need to be moved back into the center of the car. Get an adjustable panhard bar, that is the only way to do it right.

**Corona-Extra** · 03-07-2006, 08:58 PM

So, in your opinion, does that sound like a good/decent set up? I was planning on going with BMR or spohn for all set of sway bars, lower control, arm relocation brackets, control arms, panhard bar, and torque arm. As for springs, Eibach Pro-Kit is the only way to go from what I’ve been told and Konis for the shocks/struts.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

**sills1** · 03-07-2006, 09:10 PM

How much do you want to lower the car? leaving the stock springs and purchasing Koni adjustable shocks will get you 3/4" drop alone.

As far as all the other items, BMR is good stuff and comes in more than one color if that is an issue also.

**91_RS_LS1** · 03-07-2006, 09:17 PM

If you are doing it right, the adjustable is the only way to go. It is necessary to ensure that the geometry is correct. Everything (with the exception of the sway bars) I am doing is adjustable. I had the panhard bar set for the stock springs....then the Eibachs got on. Yea, not very centered. Pushed it an inch to the left. Kinda funny looking.
Now, for the ends. Comfort, get the poly bushings. Performance, get the rod ends. Since my car is my daily and I HATE excess road noise, I get the combo ends. The poly goes on the end where it meets the frame and the rod end goes on the rear end. Best of both worlds. At least that is what I do.
Relocation brackets for a lowered car, yes. Reduces wheel hop and other not so pretty things. Make sure the torque arm is adjustable too. Keep from stress existing between the tranny and rear.
As for the sway bars, it according to your driving style/likes. Some people like really stiff springs/shocks and softer sway bars. I like everything stiff. The Spohn stuff is bigger than the BMR. My rear sway bar is a 25.4mm solid chromoly. I think that the biggest offered by BMR is 21mm mild steel. Not sure, but I think that is what I remember.
As for the springs, I have heard that Hotchkis are better than Eibach for serious performance. Everyone in the local f-body club that has them swears by them. I can't tell you from experience on that. I do like my Pro-Kit, but I wished the fronts were progressive rates and a little stiffer and that the rear were slightly stiffer. Expensive boo-boo.

**Corona-Extra** · 03-08-2006, 11:58 AM

I was thinking about 1 inch. Maybe 1 ¼ inch. Not too much. I want to give it a more aggressive look but at the same time a good to moderate handling ability.

I like to take on ramps to the highway pretty quick, you know things like that….

Oh yea, I was thinking the 32mm Front Bar and 22mm Rear for the sway bars…

**91_RS_LS1** · 03-08-2006, 03:26 PM

I love highway ramps...

My front sway bar is a 34mm stock. It came with the F41 sport suspension package on the RS. Rear was like 18mm or so. I have a 36mm WS6 front sway bar for mine, just need to install it. If your car is a WS6 car, your sway bars are already bigger than 22mm and 32mm.... I think.