Need suspension suggestions

[GeosTalon]

Okay, so I currently have KYB shocks and Matrix coilovers. I didn't realize just how bad they were until I spent a couple of days wrenching on the car to replace the CV axles, front control arm bushings, carrier bearings, and u-joints.

I live in Michigan, and the roads in my area aren't all that great. I would like something that handles well, but I'd rather not drop the cash on coilovers. I would like a suspension that doesn't tell me about every loose nut, bolt, moulding, and clip in the car. I've already got the Ingalls adjustable front and rear suspension pieces. I've had the AGX/Eibach setup in a 1G, but the car was never "right". I also need info on find all the OEM parts I need to install a new shock/spring combo. The stock parts are done.

Also I have a welded center diff and the front springs make a nifty "sprong" sound on a low speed sharp turn, like turning into the driveway. I'd like to think I should dump the center diff for a new one, so if anyone can point me in the right direction about that as well. If I should post this last part elsewhere, let me know.

Thanks for any help.

 

[DSM PERFORMANCE]

For sure a welded center diff. is not good for handling. I was running KYB AGX on stock spring, and after adding 2 ST sway bars and PU busching everywhere, handling was great. I currently run RRE's JIC FLTA2 and so far handling is greater on perfect road, but on 'bad' roads it's really tricky... I live in Montréal, winter is hard on the road. I would keep AGX and add sway bars and buschings, you would be surprised...

 

[jtmcinder]

Odds are, that "sproing" you hear from the front is caused by one or both springs binding to their hats. You have struts, so your springs turn when you steer.

I, personally, would not throw money at the handling of a car with a welded center. You have committed to a particular form of racing in a pretty serious way. There is little or nothing that shocks and springs can do for your problem(s).

- Jtoby

 

[GeosTalon]

I don't have the AGX, I've got the cheap KYB's. Also, the front perches were apparently cut off for who only knows what reason. I need to tear down the entire suspension and start new.

Good call on the noise. I think I'm getting a similar noise in the rear as well. It just feels like the car wants to tear itself apart on a really tight turn.

If I do dump the welded center, would a stock piece cut it? I'm not planning on going nuts with a large turbo, etc. but I am curious in regards to what abuse it'll deal with. The car launches straight really well, it's the tight turns that quite honestly suck. Would you suggest obtaining a stock piece, or one of the 4 spider setups? I'm slowly getting used to the feeling with the welded diff, I just want something that doesn't ride like crap down the road.

 

[SAKONE]

I don't have the AGX, I've got the cheap KYB's. Also, the front perches were apparently cut off for who only knows what reason. I need to tear down the entire suspension and start new.

Good call on the noise. I think I'm getting a similar noise in the rear as well. It just feels like the car wants to tear itself apart on a really tight turn.

If I do dump the welded center, would a stock piece cut it? I'm not planning on going nuts with a large turbo, etc. but I am curious in regards to what abuse it'll deal with. The car launches straight really well, it's the tight turns that quite honestly suck. Would you suggest obtaining a stock piece, or one of the 4 spider setups? I'm slowly getting used to the feeling with the welded diff, I just want something that doesn't ride like crap down the road.

AGX's are made by KYB, or did you mean you just bought the KYB GR2s? On the perches being but, I think that's required on most sleeve-coilovers when installed. That welded center diff is a pretty hardcore thing to have. No compliance. If your drag racing it's fine, but seems to me you're also daily driving this thing. We drive DSM's, we have a lot of weird noises on our cars.

 

[jtmcinder]

My theory on the noises does not apply to the rear suspension.

- Jtoby

 

[GeosTalon]

AGX's are made by KYB, or did you mean you just bought the KYB GR2s? On the perches being but, I think that's required on most sleeve-coilovers when installed. That welded center diff is a pretty hardcore thing to have. No compliance. If your drag racing it's fine, but seems to me you're also daily driving this thing. We drive DSM's, we have a lot of weird noises on our cars.

They are the KYB GR2's on the car. I bought this car with most of the mods on it already, and the problems were an "added bonus". I am driving it daily, and if I changed over to a regular style of shocks and springs (i.e. not coilovers) I'd probably be happier. I used to drive a Camaro a couple of years ago, and I set it up for drag racing. I drove it all the time, daily, and never really seemed to care.

As for the rear suspension noises, it could just be the car settling, not really sure. I'll go underneath and check the bolts to make sure everything is tight. I spent a couple hours yesterday exercising yet more demons from the car; the exhaust cam was one tooth advanced. As you'd imagine, it was idling wonderfully. It's way better now. Wish I'd gotten cams. Too bad the crank bolt is completely stuck; I put an impact gun on it and it laughed at me.

Thanks to all of you. Knowledge is a good thing.