Reasonably priced suspension setup

400goatpower · 06-19-2008, 07:27 AM

Hey guys, I don't have a lot of money to put towards the goat but it desperately needs suspension modding for my taste. I don't want to spend over 1500-2000$ for a setup like pedders, even though I hear it's the best. Is there a cheaper alternative? I come from an RX-8 and the handling was unreal and I want to make the goat handle and brake a little bit better. I was thinking a set of hotchkis sway bars, slotted rotors, and stainless steal break lines. This was the typical setup on the RX-8 that people did for suspension. Maybe someone could just point me in the right direction?

Thanks

400goatpower · 06-19-2008, 04:59 PM

22 views... no one?

BastropGTO · 06-19-2008, 07:50 PM

I am also in your position, wanting rotors and sway bars. I have only heard good things about Hotchkis kit for our vehicles, and at 390.95 for front and back it seems to be a good deal. My next paycheck will bring those to me. As for rotors, I am planning to ebay (very carefully) for them.
Being a college student, it would take 4 months for me to raise enough spare money for the pedders setup, so i decided to get the sway first, and save over winter and get pedders next summer.
Keep updating on what you decide, so I will have a lead to follow.

PS - Ive looked at the install instructions for Hotchkis, and am positive that it is simple.

silversport · 06-20-2008, 06:36 AM

what are the slotted rotors going to give you...I know there is a lot of hype for these and there are some real world advantages too perhaps but the stockers are pretty decent although do not feel like the stockers on my '01 C5 which are outstanding IMO out in the world (not racing or rallying)...many times the rotors "look" better but in fact can be weakened by slotting or drilling...as for suspension...I have used Hotchkis once before...on an '02 Avalanche and really enjoyed them but I have no feedback other than that for our GTO applications...TTT
Bill

400goatpower · 06-20-2008, 04:07 PM

I guess the rotors wouldn't do much. I was just looking at a cheap alternative to a BBK that would improve the braking and brake pedal feel.

I've pretty much decided to jump on the hotchkis sways.

>>>Does anyone have a recommendation to the preferred street setting for the stiffness of the front and rear bars? <<< The front bar can be set 3 ways to, 37, 49, and 63 percent. The rear, 50, 76, 111 and 156

hpautoworks sells them for 350. This is the best price I've found and is a good deal cheaper than ordered straight from the manufacturer.

BastropGTO · 06-20-2008, 06:14 PM

I was looking into the rotors mostly because I believe one of mine to be slightly warped. As far as sway settings, I've heard setting front to softest and rear to best feel for you (guess and check method) on many threads. I'm torn now between C6 replica wheels or Hotch kit first. When I got my tires mounted/bal/align the idiot tried to impact wrench my lug covers off, and broke 3 (not 1) before he remembered that I told him they pull off. Good luck with your purchase!

400goatpower · 06-20-2008, 06:24 PM

oh man that sucks. I just had my rear tires changed and the guy forgot to put the caps back on. Luckily he had some intelligence and realized that they were just caps and not actual lugs. haha, fortunatly for me it took 2 seconds and he popped them back on.

Vbp6us · 06-21-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 400goatpower

oh man that sucks. I just had my rear tires changed and the guy forgot to put the caps back on. Luckily he had some intelligence and realized that they were just caps and not actual lugs. haha, fortunatly for me it took 2 seconds and he popped them back on.

Scary thought.

koman · 06-24-2008, 01:51 AM

as far as braking goes, i went with dba 4000's in the front. so far they are doing far better than the stockers. stopping distances have improved somewhat and the overall feel is better. i am using a cheap ceramic pad for the moment and haven't had too many issues so far with that.

svede1212 · 06-29-2008, 07:02 PM

peddlers is "the best" because they say it is. there is actually little difference in poly bushings and others make springs that are as good but cheaper. they make some nice shocks and struts but as their other stuff it's marked up pretty good. for bushings get the Energy Suspension master kit and fill in the missing ones (like the front radius rod) with Lovells. Lovells also makes some nice springs, strut mounts and bearings at a reasonable cost. i got Koni yellows (adjustables) from Tire Rack for a nice price. if you start with the bushings and springs and do the work yourself (not technically hard but a bit of a chore) you can do it for about $600. it will make quite a bit of difference in your car. if you go the whole route and do the shocks, struts and sway bars you'll add another $900 but be driving a whole different car and will have done a lot more than a comparable peddlers $1,500 super-duper-street-what-ever II package.