suspension help/suggestions

[megaladon6]

i'm looking at getting the AFX spindle kit from SC&C, spohn tubular lower control arms, stock sway bars, hotchkiss springs, bilstein shocks, and where applicable polyurethane bushings. the rear is getting the hotchkiss arms (adjustable uppers), stock sway bar, hotchkiss springs, bilstein shocks and poly bushings.
what ball joints should i use? tall, stock, etc.
any corrections or changes i should make? what body bushings should i use?

it's primarily a street car, but i want exceptional handling.

any and all help is appreciated.

[megaladon6]

anything? i refuse to believe that i got everything right.:rolleyes:

[Apogee]

There's a little more to it than that...your best bet is to call Marcus at SC&C directly as he knows the G-bodies inside and out.

As per another current thread, AFX spindles are designed to work with stock height ball joints, it's an either/or situation, otherwise you're messing up the corrected geometry. I'm not a big fan of polyurethane bushings when there are so many better options available. I run the solid bushings in my upper SPC arms and will swap to Delrin bushings in the lowers the next time they come out.

[Rubes]

I know Marcus will talk you out of the poly bushings in the rear. Your going to have to call him to order stuff from him anyway and he will layout all the reasons for and against any component you select. I would (and did, just havent got it installed yet) get one of the packages he's got. You'll know that all the components will work together, and all at one stop shopping and tech support, rather than calling this guy who will tell you that component is not right ...bla...bla...bla.
Marcus IS your guy for this. Dont be afraid, he's a nice guy and he'll talk your ear off.

[Tony_SS]

Upgrade the sway bars - You'll see a dramatic difference with that alone. Also, no reason to do adjustable rear upper control arms unless you plan on seeing the drag strip. And IMO there are more affordable ways to go for a street car than an AFX spindle. S10 dual piston 11" setup will be an easy bolt on, or modify the existing spindle for 12" LS1 brakes.

[SN65]

Are you looking at any chassis modifications?

[megaladon6]

i don't think i can modify the short spindles on the car for c5 brakes. i was going to switch to tall spindles from a camaro but when i priced everything out it was only a couple hundred extra to get the AFX spindle. plus they give me the c5 bearing pack, better wheel clearence, and better geometry.
i was looking at the sway bars but was recommended to leave the stockers in and see how the car handles and then, if necessary upgrade.
i'll get rid of the rear adjustable arms if they don't change anything.
i'll talk to mark and get everything figured out.
thanks for everything!

[jdpolzin]

If you plan to lower the rear of the car, use the adjustable upper control arms to correct the pinion angle. You really dont need the Sphon lower control arms up front either. I just looked into this issue myself for my GN. Just use the stock lower arms and get a good set of Del-Alum busings. Dont use Poly bushings. Keep your stock swaybars and see how you like them. If you dont like them, get the 1LE camaro front swaybar and an ATR 1 5/8" bar. If you need help finding the bars, I can help, I have a lot of good resources. Just use stock replacement BJ's in the control arms up front with the ATS spindle. ----Jeremy

[megaladon6]

the stock lower arms are good? they don't need bracing or anything like that? i'm surprised but i guess sometimes you get lucky.:) i'll look into the del-a-lums.
so the rear drop does affect the pinion angle? i don't plan on having different settings for certain situations. although i do hope to get an air ride system and go as low as i can eventually.
is there a real advantage to the Howe "precision" ball joints? i don't mind spending money on components that make a real difference but i don't have enough for small improvements at high cost.

[jdpolzin]

Using a taller BJ with the ATS spindles is not good at all! Just get yourself a good set of MOOG replacements! Yes, dropping the rear will change your pinion angle. You will definately need to get adjustable uppers if you plan to drop the rear. I would also suggest using the Eibach kit over the Hotchkis kit. The cars I have ridden in with the Hotchkis kits were rough riders. I think Mark would also agree!

[megaladon6]

i mean the standard height Howe ball joints. at least i assume they have tall and standard because of...
their modular design allows the use of different height studs. i got that from sc&c's site in case i missed something.
when you say the hotchkiss kit do you mean the springs or the rear arms? i believe i have eibach springs from hotchkiss but can't remember anymore.