Suspension Upgrades

[TheCanadian007]

Hey Guys, I've got myself an '87 Horizon, carb'd 2.2 auto. I've upgraded most of the suspension, new KYB GR2 Struts upfront, OEM Mopar struts in back, front Shelby Z 1.25" sway bar with new bushings and front upper strut brace. Springs are all still stock rate and length. What other suspension upgrades can I do to front/back to make it handle better with minimal cost involved. New Koni struts or Eibach springs are nice, but on the pricey side. Any other ideas that I might be able to make/modify/find in the wrecker yard myself? Ex. rear springs off another car, rear sway bar etc.

Many Thanks.

[d_snook6]

20 dollar tercel coilovers on ebay
Cheap as it gets.......

[TheCanadian007]

tercel coil overs work on the rear suspension of an L-body? If not, what mods are required and how does a coil-over differ from a strut and coil spring? Advantages etc?

[detobias]

heres some thoughts; not a complete list:

zero cost
cut stock springs a coil or 1.25; lowers center of gravity (CG) and increases spring stiffness
partially box in rear trailing arm to increase torsional rigidity = acts like a sway bar (some scrap steel and a MIG)

minimal cost
upgrade to GLH/SC springs
rear shock tower brace
upgrade to GLH/SC brakes
upgrade to 14 " wheels and run e.g. 185/60s

more cost
rear sway bar
upgrade to GLH/SC 15x6 wheels and 195/50 tires (will make a HUGE improvement)

[TheCanadian007]

Thanks for info, I've got a few more questions, first, do the Tercel coil-overs work on the L-body struts?

Second, I've heard of the addco rear sway bar kit on eBay, are those at all worthwhile?

Third, if I cut the stock springs, does that weaken them or warp them, or perhaps better question, what's the best method to cut them?

Many Thanks.

[d_snook6]

check this thread out
tercel coilovers on a omni!!! :)

[TheCanadian007]

So then Tercel/Eclipse coilovers worth it or just cut stock springs?

[d_snook6]

get the tercel or eclipse springs, stiffer and should handle better. Plus you can ajust your ride hieght , and you will still have stock springs to put back in in case you want it stock again.

[Travis_k]

I wouldnt get coilovers, the springs are too stiff for the cheap struts, and it will make the car handle and ride like crap. The shelby charger springs would be good, and replace the bushings in the front suspension, but other than that you have done all the easy and cheap stuff already. Anything else to do it right will be expensive.

[TheCanadian007]

Would both the front and rear Shelby Charger springs work? The front ones appear to be identical, but the rear ones look rather different. Charger uses a separate shock/spring assembly, while the L-bodies use a spring + strut in one. would these springs be interchangeable?

[Travis_k]

The rear springs and shocks on a charger are exactly the same as on an omni. Only the bigger turbo dodges have the seperate springs and shocks. I used to have a shelby charger ( i had to sell it cause i couldnt keep it running long enough to be a daily driver), but in my experience the stock shelby charger springs are as stiff as you can run on the cheap sturts that are all you can sill buy easily.

[detobias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCanadian007 Second, I've heard of the addco rear sway bar kit on eBay, are those at all worthwhile? Third, if I cut the stock springs, does that weaken them or warp them, or perhaps better question, what's the best method to cut them?

a proper anti-sway bar IS a better alternative to boxing the rear axle - but of course more $; Johnny at polybushings.com is the best source for sway bars ; they may even be the Addco's ; might be a couple $ more but his service is A+ and he's a TD guy

the best way to cut springs is with a cut-off wheel ; a sawzall with a metal blade will work too but be patient - thats strong steel ; you could use an oxyacetylene also but that would be my last choice, since it could affect the strength of the steel near the cut portion; otherwise the first 2 methods of cutting will not weaken or distort the spring

[detobias]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis_k The rear springs and shocks on a charger are exactly the same as on an omni. Only the bigger turbo dodges have the seperate springs and shocks. I used to have a shelby charger ( i had to sell it cause i couldnt keep it running long enough to be a daily driver), but in my experience the stock shelby charger springs are as stiff as you can run on the cheap sturts that are all you can sill buy easily.

+1 ; if you run stiffer springs you will just overwhelm the shocks / struts anyways

thats why the only real choice for road racing or auto-X are the koni's with coilovers

but for Hard street driving I feel GLH/SC springs with fresh shocks&struts and good tires is MORE than adequate ; the L bodies are so light ...