Quote:
Originally Posted by ModSocks
If i had an order to do it in i'd go:
1. Steering Box (assuming your front shocks/springs aren't shot)
2. Front Coil Over
Address the rear when you feel like it or if it fits into your budget right now. It should take lower priority assuming you have serviceable suspension back there.
But if you have a vacuum issue i'd address that. If you decide that swapping the cam isn't in the cards right now then maybe consider a booster that doesn't require vacuum, like a Hydroboost or an Electric Brake Master Cylinder.
When we build cars in the shop, suspension and brakes take priority over everything. Those are the two things that will allow you to drive the car confidently. What good is HP if you don't like driving the car because you're worried it won't stop or if it feels wonky on the freeway? If you have confident brakes and suspension you'll probably find yourself driving the car a lot more. It'll feel more like a car instead of a weekend novelty. And in terms of suspension, front is more important than rear by a mile. Rear suspension becomes more of a concern in higher torque builds, or cars with Coyote 5.0 swaps.
If it's a full build, we equip all of our cars with an Electric Brake Master cylinder. It's the best pedal feel of the 3 popular options and delivers about 500 PSI more than a vacuum booster. A customer may have dreams of 13", 6-piston brakes, but we'll force a smaller rotor/piston count in favor of a superior master cylinder if his budget doesn't allow for both.
Hydrboosts are nice, though they require some extra plumbing and the pedal still doesn't feel as rock hard as an Electric Brake Master.
Just my 2cents and how WE go about handling it. Everyone has their own opinion of course.
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Just now getting to getting the front worked over.
Looking at some Viking Dual Adjustable coil-overs or QA1s in the front.
Here's my worry - I took it to a guy that specializes in wheels and says he's a full service shop (I want the wheels replaced still; never have done it) but I want the suspension re-done before I re-do the wheels as they'll change how all that fits.
I mean god almighty, the questions and answers this guy has had for me are TERRIFYING. I mean "remind me again what a coilover is?"
So I walk him through it. "I'll get with my supplier".
Calls me a week later and says "Yeah, i got 'em..."
So naturally my question is "Well WHAT did you get?"
Guy doesn't know the brand, the spring weight. I ask him if they're dual adjustable or single -- "Okay, so you want them adjustable?"
Dafuq? Dude, i've spent an hour with you going over concerns with wheel well clearance and wheel width and why I want these adjustables for the purposes of stagger and all this shit. And you ask me THAT?!?!
I ask him how heavy the springs are and I could've been asking him to explain particle physics. I'm just like "uh...450 lbs? Does that sound familiar? 350? 550?"
"Yeah, I'll ask my guy..."
I think I need to get my car back from this dude. I don't think he knows his ass from a hole in the ground. I think all he really knows is how to put 20 inch rims on slammed caddies and turn them into hooptie low-riders. Because from what I can tell, he doesn't know at all how to deal with a muscle car, despite the fact that he has a 67 camaro actually sitting in the front of his showroom.
I'm just dumbfounded by this. God dammit, why can't I just find someone who can order me some 15 inch old-school GM rallye wheels through his own wholesaler so that IF they don't fit, he can return them for wheels that do? That's it! That's all I want! I know what wheel I want, I just don't know how to figure a necessary offset with the disc brake conversions and the drop spindles that may/may not create issues with the tie-rod ends.
I'm not some ****ing numb-nut that went in there not knowing where the gas cap is. I didn't just lead you to water, my guy. I led you to lake ****ing Michigan. How can you not know ANY of this?
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck this is aggravating. Why can't my good ol' boy shadetree mechanic just start doing wheel work so I can give it to him?!?!
I'm giving this guy a week tops before I take it to Mitch. He can do the suspension work and can probably measure the clearances, etc... I'll order the damn wheels online and if they don't fit, i'll figure it out. At least he won't end up putting shocks in upside down or something. I'm absolutely terrified this guys gonna go in there and try to cut something to fit and I'll end up with frame damage or something insane.