Suspension upgrade

[72RS]

One of my winter projects is to upgrade my front suspension. Currently have stock arms with Hotchkis 2" lowering springs and Bilstien shocks. I want to go with tubular uppers and lowers. Looking at Ridetech and Global West currently.

Any feedback on those two companies and should I also go with coilovers or will my Bilstiens be ok.

I don't race the car but looking to upgrade performance, marketabilty and appearance.

[badazz81z28]

One of my winter projects is to upgrade my front suspension. Currently have stock arms with Hotchkis 2" lowering springs and Bilstien shocks. I want to go with tubular uppers and lowers. Looking at Ridetech and Global West currently.

Any feedback on those two companies and should I also go with coilovers or will my Bilstiens be ok.

I don't race the car but looking to upgrade performance, marketabilty and appearance.


Can't go wrong with either, but I would go with Global West over Ridetech as I don't suggest rubber or poly bushings in control arms. Also consider the differences in price of control arms is in bushing material to include the cross shafts. I feel your Bilsteins are good, I would only go with coil overs if you are prepared to do the same to the back and can weld. If that was the case Ride-tech lower arms will help you there.

I'm still bias to control arms like Hotchkis with Delrin bushings and Billet chrome moly cross shafts.

[Schwartz Performance]

An excerpt from this link: http://bangshift.com/general-news/new-products/sema-2012-new-product-spotlight-ridetech-announces-iphone-app-for-air-ride-and-all-new-delrin-bushings/

"Ridetech also announced a serious performance enhancement here at the 2012 SEMA Show, and in an area you wouldn’t expect. Ridetech has announced that all their Strong Arm suspension components will now include Delrin bushings rather than Poly bushings. It is NOT an upgrade that you’ll have to pay for as it comes with all Strong Arms now! Keep in mind other manufacturers charge $100 or more for the same upgrade."

-Dale

[Smoker03]

If you want to stay with the hotchkis coil and bilstein which is proven then go with the GW arms or even better go with Hotchkis arms. Im not a huge fan of mixing and matching if it can be avoided. If you want to upgrade to what I believe is a better riding and handling suspension system then go with the Ridetech upper and lowers with HQ coilovers. I would also recommend looking at adding the true-turn from them as well. I have used both and currently have the complete front system from Ridetech and it is excellent in ride, handling and quality. Side note, the Ridetech lower arms only work with their coilover. They do not make a lower that works with conventional coil and shock.

[Rod]

An excerpt from this link: http://bangshift.com/general-news/new-products/sema-2012-new-product-spotlight-ridetech-announces-iphone-app-for-air-ride-and-all-new-delrin-bushings/

"Ridetech also announced a serious performance enhancement here at the 2012 SEMA Show, and in an area you wouldn’t expect. Ridetech has announced that all their Strong Arm suspension components will now include Delrin bushings rather than Poly bushings. It is NOT an upgrade that you’ll have to pay for as it comes with all Strong Arms now! Keep in mind other manufacturers charge $100 or more for the same upgrade."

-Dale

Thanks Dale, funny doesn't matter how many we tell that our arms have the very best Delrin bushings on the market and Forged upper shafts with adjustable caster slugs, I still see many say we have rubber bushings? weird







If you want to stay with the hotchkis coil and bilstein which is proven then go with the GW arms or even better go with Hotchkis arms. Im not a huge fan of mixing and matching if it can be avoided. If you want to upgrade to what I believe is a better riding and handling suspension system then go with the Ridetech upper and lowers with HQ coilovers. I would also recommend looking at adding the true-turn from them as well. I have used both and currently have the complete front system from Ridetech and it is excellent in ride, handling and quality. Side note, the Ridetech lower arms only work with their coilover. They do not make a lower that works with conventional coil and shock.

handles so well you almost don't want to tell everyone your secret! of why you go fast now!

[DippedInSauce]

I'd avoid Hotckhis all together if possible. Aside from the front springs you already have of course. Their front control arms are garbage. I had a set installed by Hotchkis in Sothern California compliments of my insurance company. The car handled horribly. I drove it back up to Northern California and immediately removed the arms and replaced them with a set of SPC adjustable uppers and lowers. The difference was NIGHT AND DAY. The stacks of shims required when using the Hotchkis arms are a eyesore to say the least. They also use cheap balljoints. The SPC utilize high end far superior/stronger screw In balljoints. I would recommend hanging on to your bilstein shocks replacing your upper arm with an SPC and funneling the rest of your funds towards a ridetech leaf spring eliminating rear suspension.

[Schwartz Performance]

Thanks Dale, funny doesn't matter how many we tell that our arms have the very best Delrin bushings on the market and Forged upper shafts with adjustable caster slugs, I still see many say we have rubber bushings? weird


Rod,

No problem, but actually, your page of Strong Arms says they include rubber or poly bushings : http://www.ridetech.com/store/strongarms/ under "components" - maybe that's why? haha. :)

-Dale