$300... what to do?

[CamaroKRAZED]

I am looking to spend around $300 on upgrading either the suspension or chasis of my Camaro. i have set the limit to $300 because i am a full-time student, and even though i also work a full-time job there just is not a whole lot of room to work with in the financial department.

I understand that $300 is really not a lot to work with when it comes to upgrading any part of an automobile; however, i was thinking that with this amount i could go one of two routes:

1. order a set of Bilstein HDs
OR
2. order a pair of subframe connectors and maybe a strut tower brace

which option is going to give me the best bang-for-the-buck factor. please keep in mind that we are working with a complete factory setup here. also keep in mind that this is my only vehicle, i put about 350 miles on in just a week and i do drive it in the winter... even when it snows. i am just looking to improve the overall handling and safety of my Camaro.

i would very much appreciate any opinions, especially those from Camaro owners with one of (or even both) of the modifications listed above... THANK YOU!

[dmw319]

i would go in this order

shocks/springs
strut bar/sway bars
LCAs/panhard bar
torque arm
whatever else


but thats just me. *shrug*

[98Camaro3.8]

You can't even get 4 good shocks for $300 installed.

[dmw319]

sure you can!! i got all 4 new bilstein HD shocks on ebay for 300 and installed them myself [img]smile.gif[/img]

[99v6cam]

I got 4 KYB shocks for $200 on ebay and eibach springs for $100 and installed em myself :-p

[Chris Camaro]

strut tower brace: my first suspension mod, bang for the buck, 110 bucks or so, and it was a big difference.

Shocks/springs/adj panhard bar: gotta get them at the same time, eibach prokit, belstein hd.i got the bmr adj, when i put it on the ground, the rear end say like, 2 inches to the right, or the left i cant remmber.

Sway bars: i went BMR set, omg..... i race around in traffic and cornering at night with my dad somtimes, he has a 99 vette...... enough said

anti squat brackets: best to do this when you lower the car

as for the rest i dont know cus thats all i got for now, im going to start on my breaks next week, its not always has much hp you have, suspension is like hp , same with breaks, i know a guy who crashed at 150 cus he couldnt stop his breaks went to ****.

so breaking->suspension->hp

[dmw319]

yea but suspension is not like HP when youre on the track trying to hit a low 1/4 ET. the LCAs only really help that out a little.

[Chris Camaro]

well thats true for 1/4 mile. so its all on what you want to do, take canyons at crazy speeds, or take it down the 1/4 mile. ive changed a couple things, a few times so what ever your going to put in your car think ahead first.

[slow6]

yea, for suspension youre gonna wanna choose either (drag race) or (road race turns/track).

your shocks ,lca, and right spring setup will help you for drag.

[slow6]

i just put on SFCs for road racing around turns/track
i need to upgrade my shocks first

[CamaroGenerations]

If you are looking at driving your car in the snow you might want to stay away from making your car too stiff.

[mwh27]

STB and SFC you might have to pay a shop to do the welding tho.

Bolt on SFC will wear the bolt holes out over time.

Just got an idea, maybe some hi-strength epoxy?

[grayman]

it is easy to get bolt in SFC's welded up. this saves labor cost as you install yourself and then just have a muffler guy weld them.

I would get an aluminum drive shaft. it makes a difference...makes the car funner/sportier. $150 or less and very easy to install.

check out ebay for some nice suspension uprades...tubular LCA's with poly bushings, etc...for affordable price...three point bolt in SFC for about 200 bucks. (you have to prime and paint them yourself) but they are pretty darn nice and lower profile than name brand SFCs i have looked at.

you have to start somewhere...a set of billsteins would be awsome...especially if your current shocks have 25000 or more miles...you WILL notice that upgrade.

[slow6]

i want adjustable bilsteins for $300.

i didnt have to paint/prime my SFCs, got em $180 from UMI

epoxy might work, but i wouldnt trust it, cause it wont be near as good as welding

[rhodeymark]

If you are looking at driving your car in the snow you might want to stay away from making your car too stiff.

Hi CG - curious about the physics behind that statement. A little body roll helps in low traction? ~ rhodey