Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

Ok, i searched and came up will 1.45 million threads, 99% of which just confused m more.

So this is a 2 part question, first off.

I am about to pull out the whole drivtrain for a 5 lug and LSD conversion. While i am in there i need new struts.

My question is, what to get? Price is a big factor, cheaper the better, unless there is a major quality differnce if i spend a little more.

I have found some Gabriel struts all 4 for under $200. Anyone used these? Any other better brands for a simular price? What have ya
ll used for cheap and had good experiances with?



Now for the other and really more important part, while i am doing this conversion and have most of the drivetrain apart, what else should i replace while i am in there and it is easy? bushings, hoses, things like that? Once i get this back together i don't want to have to mess with the drivetrain for awhile.

Whats parts go out and are cheap to replace? Also, how would i test the LSD to see if it is really dead?

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

either get the whole rear subframe with the 5 lug stuff and the LSD intact.and then Change out the Front Hubs and brakes to 4 piston ..or get the Five lug stuff,and the Lsd and install them..your suspension question is kind of Tricky..it depends on What you are using the car for..you can go close to Stock,with the Gabriels or Go to Coilovers,and have the Car so tight that running over a Pebble will Jar your Eye *****!..Honestly,if you are On a budget,get What YOU want..If you Start "investing" in the car you will find that When you sell it,you won't get the money you put into it..suspension close to stock or Just stock is Ok for Daily driving and the Odd Auto Cross..But getting into Coilovers means Money.,.and If you Have the Money..go for it...as far as Bushings,Hoses,Get What the car needs..You shouldn't go and Buy a Big BULK of stuff,and then go to replace it and find out the car doesn't need it..Tear into the car,Find out what you are looking at,parts wise and get them..(no Money wasted..no extra parts.)..

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

I actually have an 86 GXL parts car i will be getting the 5 lug conversion from. It had a TII swap done to it so some of the parts are TII and some are GXL.

I am one of those people that likes to replace too many parts vs to few and have to rip apart XXX again to replace it later. the body does have 230k miles on it, so a lot of things are worn out i am sure. When i did drive it the suspension was GONE but the steering seemed fairly tight, not new by anymeans but not bad for that high of miles.

Now for the struts and springs, as i said, what is on there is GONE. So i don't have any idea what even stock would feel like.

What i am looking for is a comfertable ride for daily driving with a little lowering if i got new springs. but i also want it to be able to have fun on a track should i get out there once or twice a year.

My biggest problem is i have no idea what stock feels like, right now any turn gives Massive body roll and it feels tippy at any kind of speed. i come from trucks as pretty much all i have driven other then cars like a corolla ect, aka NOT sporty.

I want a car that feels better then those cars and is just fun to drive.

What is stock suspension like?

7 n 7

Texas Ace,

Where did you find the struts for <200 a set? I need front struts for my S5 Vert and the locals want $200 for the front pair.

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

On ebay, they have a complete set for $189.

Though i just found a better deal and bought all 4 for a total of $118 from another ebay auction. For the price i could not pass it up. Guess i will see how they work.

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

Ok, i am now looking for springs.

I really want to know what the stock ride is like when everything is in good condition. It is a lot of body roll? controlable? comfertable?

While i am doing the shocks i might as well get new springs. i just don't know which ones to get (brands also but mainly spring rate/drop). Also, i will have 215/60r15 tires on the car when it is done, maybe bigger later.

Can these be lowered any without causing problems? how much? 1"? 1.5"?

g14novak

iTrader: (1)

A lot of people on here run tokico blues with tien springs. Seems to be a great street setup that wont leave your butt in pain after 15 minutes of driving.

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

I already ordered Gabriel struts since i found them for $118 shipped, i could not pass them up.

I have been looking at the tien springs, i just noticed the spring rate on them is a lot more then stock and they lower by 1". So i didn't know if that would work well for a DD.

farberio

iTrader: (7)

You probably have massive spring sag so getting lowering springs wont be that different.

I run Eibach springs, dual rate so they are soft unloaded and mad stiff loaded.

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

I am sure they are sagged some with 230k miles on them.

What was ride like stock though? i am just trying to decide if these would be ok for a comfertable ride? i want something i can take the GF for a ride in and she will like the ride. but still add some performance to it.

kojihan

thank god mine came 5 lug

farberio

iTrader: (7)

New stockish shocks will be fine, comfortable, and be a performance boost for you....so will new stockish springs. I would limit your 'drop' to a 1" max. on springs. Anything really goes here, just avoid super stiff springs.

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

that pretty much what i was thinking. And actually i would prefer no drop but all the springs i see have a drop to them. which i would not mind just not looking for.

Already have stock style shocks on the way.

Here are the springs i am looking at, what do ya'll think:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TEIN-...spagenameZWDVW

They say a 1" drop and they are stiffer then stock, about 30 - 35% more. I have no idea what kind of ride they will give though.

rexsleven

if u have the money. go with the illuminas. trust me they are awesome! they are adjustable from 1 (softest) to 5 (stiffest) and trust me the soft setting is really soft. they are awesome but cost a little money. plus i'm riding on the eibachs. i love the setup. but i wanna go lower. and our roads are shitty in montana. i just love the mountain roads! lol

farberio

iTrader: (7)

^ he already bought shocks

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

What he said, i am on a tight budget so i got some stock style shocks for dirt cheap.

What i need now is springs, anyone have those i posted above?

certifiednut

Tanabe gf210 FTW!!!

i have Tanabes and Tokico Illuminas and it rides awesome and handles great. i know next to nothing about the Tein springs except i hear they ride nice

trust7

The best suggestion anyone on this board should give you here is to find a wrecked or non-running S5 pull all the drive train and suspension/brakes off of it install on your car and go form there. The energy suspension stuff is ok ish you could use that to upgrade your bushings while there, as far as shocks/springs the Blue Tokico's are the cheapest best IMO for the rex, then springs you can do whatever really.

g14novak

iTrader: (1)

I'm still sticking with Tein springs.

They aren't going to make you feel like your driving a crown vic, but their not super hard and going to make you feel every small bump in the road.

Texas_Ace

iTrader: (18)

Yeah, i was looking at those as well, but they lower 1.5", i don't know if that will work, i don't want to hit every rock on the road.

I actually already have a parts car, the problem is it also has 150k miles on it so it's springs can't be much better then mine. last thing i want to do is just have to replace the springs again later.

Thats what i was wanting to hear. I just want the ride to be nice for longer drives with the GF. but still handle as well as possible.