Rear suspension suggestion

[Nasty]

The beat up rear suspension needed some work, so I bought some stuff from board members to keep it within budget. The car will never see a roll bar, so 11.50 times would be the most, so I figured I didn't need real big dollar stuff anyhow.

The car has on it a old rt airbag, beat shocks and droops a little on the driver side (sure the springs are beat). I put all knew body bushings in already. Here is what I have:

Stk upper and lower arms, lowers are boxed with new bushings, got them from a board member who got them from someone else, thinks they may be poly? I can't tell, but they look new. The uppers also have new bushings, I am sure they are the same as the lowers. I have the upper boxing kit, but did not do this...been reading it probally is not needed. I have Moroso Trick springs with airbags. ATR bar.

My thought is install the upper and lowers as they are with the ATR bar and Moroso springs, lose the bags for now.

I needs shocks, KYB is in the budget-need help talking me into more or put me at ease with the KYB's.

Thanks again

[Steve Wood]

KYBs are the popular choice...they don't give the control of a Bilstein, but, they work well for the money.

Personally, I would not use the trick springs...I think you will get better hook out of the stock springs.

Everything else sounds good.

[JohnLarkin]

I don't know how much rear shocks really affect an 11 second car. Lots of people including me use Monroe Sensatracs. Cheap and ride good.

[Steve Wood]

Dave Morgan says a good place to start is with a worn out set of rear shocks... I am not a fan of Monroes, but, they should work perfectly well in this application.

[FLR]

I got the whole KYB set for cheap, and they ride nice. Also did Kirban cargo coils in the rear. Best 60' to date is a 1.58 on the stock LCAs and swaybar. Gonna do airbags soon and some LCAs.

Just my .02

[Steve Wood]

Ten bucks says more hp will help the short times more than airbags and lcas!

[FLR]

Originally Posted by Steve Wood

Ten bucks says more hp will help the short times more than airbags and lcas!

Easy money. The car goes straight most of the time, but since its all 22 years old, time for some new stuff.

[Nasty]

Originally Posted by Steve Wood

KYBs are the popular choice...they don't give the control of a Bilstein, but, they work well for the money.

Personally, I would not use the trick springs...I think you will get better hook out of the stock springs.

Everything else sounds good.

Are you suggesting using the springs I have, or new ones? I mentioned it sagging on the driver rear.

I take it leave the bags out too?

BTW, how do you get airbags in/out of the springs??? Sounds dumb to some of you, bad the bag does not compress much.

Thanks again.

[Steve Wood]

I would use stock type springs.

I have found it easier to disconnect the shocks, drop the axle a bit, pull the spring out and take the the bag out one end. Easier than trying to get all the air out and pull the bag between the coils.

[Steve Wood]

Originally Posted by FLR

Easy money. The car goes straight most of the time, but since its all 22 years old, time for some new stuff.

experience has shown that bushings will make more difference than any fancy arm that you can put on..least til you get to 700 hp or so

You ever see an apples to apples test between stock arms and aftermarket when both have good bushings? No, and you won't. Be hard to sell them on the basis of such a test.

[Nasty]

Originally Posted by Steve Wood

I would use stock type springs.

I have found it easier to disconnect the shocks, drop the axle a bit, pull the spring out and take the the bag out one end. Easier than trying to get all the air out and pull the bag between the coils.

The springs are not open at the ends...I guess they stay in there unless I get the motivation to fight them between the coils.

Another question! My parts counter guy is showing the rear springs still available through us (the dealer), only he shows "regular" and "variable". Both coded (WE2) and (LC2) for both part numbers. I assume the regular is the ticket? Variable sounds like the cargo spring deal. The price is about the same as Moog OEM replacements. Figured why not get a spring with a GM part number for the same cost. I guess I am asking, get the Moogs OEM's, or Gm's "regular" or "variable".

[Steve Wood]

I don't have a scientific answer on that one...I think they both work...some think the cargo coils ride a bit better...I think they mean softer, but? Nothing wrong with the stock units in my opinion.