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162 Posts
The topic starter, MrBuick (Magnum) did. Check out the topic in the feedback section for more info. I did however initially think that this was one of his for sale threads, hence the reason I posted that.
Spring, Shocks, Control Arms, Sway Bars, ETC.
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someone please overhaul...
Ok, this valuable sticky really needs attention as half the links as you know are all broken. If anyone knowledgeable and enthusiastic wants to take a shot at upgrading/replacing, this I'm sure the OP wouldn't mind the support.
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4 Posts
i just finished putting an aluminum head lt1 in my 91 roadmaster wagon. bags are next. i have a few parts left to purchase and have a couple questions.
-what shocks should i use with slam specialties 7" bags (has anyone bought the overpriced kits and got cross reference part numbers for us budget challenged fools?)
- has anyone here used little larry's manual valves? http://www.littlelarrys.net/
-best place to buy a front end rebuild kit(might aswell refresh all that while im in there)
ill post pics of her so far after work. thanks in advance! Jeff
-what shocks should i use with slam specialties 7" bags (has anyone bought the overpriced kits and got cross reference part numbers for us budget challenged fools?)
- has anyone here used little larry's manual valves? http://www.littlelarrys.net/
-best place to buy a front end rebuild kit(might aswell refresh all that while im in there)
ill post pics of her so far after work. thanks in advance! Jeff
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7 Posts
Shock and Spring Set-up
I have a 95 Caprice 9C1, and I'm reading many threads and builds, my question to all is. 1. What's the best lowering spring and shock set-up? Because I'm leaning towards the Hotchkiss 1922 lowering kit and the Monroe Severe Service Duty Shocks numbers 550012 and 550013. 2. On the Hotchkiss website for the 1922 lowering kit there's two different specs for the springs (Can anyone explain what makes the specs different between the Impala and Caprice if the same part fits the two), and yes I see the two different drop specs but what makes the two drops different from one another? Please any and all information is helpful and appreciate.
I have a 95 Caprice 9C1, and I'm reading many threads and builds, my question to all is. 1. What's the best lowering spring and shock set-up? Because I'm leaning towards the Hotchkiss 1922 lowering kit and the Monroe Severe Service Duty Shocks numbers 550012 and 550013. 2. On the Hotchkiss website for the 1922 lowering kit there's two different specs for the springs (Can anyone explain what makes the specs different between the Impala and Caprice if the same part fits the two), and yes I see the two different drop specs but what makes the two drops different from one another? Please any and all information is helpful and appreciate.
LCA's and spring+shocks
LCA's question...Quality, durabiltiy and function they are equals. UMI wins on price and so wins overall.
Blast from the past...Best springs would depend on your definition of best but Hotchkis are really good. Same definition in shocks but the Monroe is only best in price. Both Bilsteins (comfort and sport) are better by far and Koni's better still and adjustable. The OEM Caprice sits at least an inch higher than OEM Impala (OEM 9C1 cars sit higher than both)
LCA's question...Quality, durabiltiy and function they are equals. UMI wins on price and so wins overall.
Blast from the past...Best springs would depend on your definition of best but Hotchkis are really good. Same definition in shocks but the Monroe is only best in price. Both Bilsteins (comfort and sport) are better by far and Koni's better still and adjustable. The OEM Caprice sits at least an inch higher than OEM Impala (OEM 9C1 cars sit higher than both)
Hotchkis 9c1 spring drop
Hey man thanks, so on a 9c1, would the drop still be 1.5/1.25 like the standard Caprice with Hotchkis springs?...or would the drop be more than that?
Hey man thanks, so on a 9c1, would the drop still be 1.5/1.25 like the standard Caprice with Hotchkis springs?...or would the drop be more than that?
Little more..2" or more? The thing is that GM delivered 9C1's with more than one spring height. Fleet sales to PD were with sometimes crazy low prices and quality control suffered. I've seen oem 9C1's measure almost 30" from the high point of the wheel well to the ground; and sometimes 28.7". I've seen that car and the same measurement @ 25.4" after installing Hotchkis or Eibach Pro Kit or Sprint springs, none of which claimed such a drop. An oem Impala SS often was 27.0-27.9 and w/those aftermarket springs be 25.4" - 26.9". or 27.~? It's a crap shoot. The history of all these company is spotted. For a while the now "out of production" Eibach 3832.140 was the best quality control and consistency of installed height of any, and they stopped making it. Who knows why. Helliwig went years with only a small front sway bar, paid to tool up a much better, lighter, hollow and thicker bar...and stopped making it. Capitalism is not an unmixed blessing.
Another funny ... one of my very best handling B-bodies after new lowering springs sat at 27.9 @ the front.
Another funny ... one of my very best handling B-bodies after new lowering springs sat at 27.9 @ the front.
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25 Posts
I had a set of 4 Koni adjustable shocks installed on my 96ss about 1yr/4k miles ago. They were set pretty close to as stiff as they would go. I am very happy with them. They give a controlled, more precise, and much more firm feeling. Makes the car feel much more stout and athletic when taking on our busted up city streets in fort wayne. They also come with a lifetime warranty. I'm sure anything wouldve been a massive improvement over 20yr/100k mile old factory shocks and admittedly i have no experience with any other aftermarket b-body shock but I would definitely recommend the Konis.
$65.+$10. ship @ Pro-Touring+ inflation adjusted $30. welding
NOW you just need one of these. Yes, it will feel much more stout and athletic.
Excellent! Full hard in front is great with SS springs, just a little less in rear. For much more " feel much more stout and athletic"
NOW you just need one of these. Yes, it will feel much more stout and athletic.
Attachments
Joined
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25 Posts
What is that black tubular part behind the sway bar in that pic? I have a pair of bmr swaybars waiting for install which will help stiffen things up but you also got me interested in that beefy lookin bar.
What is that black tubular part behind the sway bar in that pic?
That is the Pro-Touring F-Body front frame brace from my post "$65.+$10. ship @ Pro-Touring+ inflation adjusted $30. welding"
It is not part of the suspension like the sway bars you mention. It is a oem brain fart missing piece of the frame, sometimes called the chassis. OEM weak front frame rails BAD. Welded in brace for strong front frame rails GOOD. Getting into the middle of the night, pictures tomorrow.
That is the Pro-Touring F-Body front frame brace from my post "$65.+$10. ship @ Pro-Touring+ inflation adjusted $30. welding"
It is not part of the suspension like the sway bars you mention. It is a oem brain fart missing piece of the frame, sometimes called the chassis. OEM weak front frame rails BAD. Welded in brace for strong front frame rails GOOD. Getting into the middle of the night, pictures tomorrow.
pictures
The Pro-Touring F-Body brace, a hollow 1 3/8" front sway bar installed with steel spacers for that bar to have clearance from the brace; welded to the frame and the spacers, because the 24 lbs. of torque on the sway bar mounts can't/does not hold the brace tight enough for it to work properly; all in one run on sentence on an SS with a fully boxed frame, which you need like a fish needs a bicycle but it's overkill fun to look at.
The Pro-Touring F-Body brace, a hollow 1 3/8" front sway bar installed with steel spacers for that bar to have clearance from the brace; welded to the frame and the spacers, because the 24 lbs. of torque on the sway bar mounts can't/does not hold the brace tight enough for it to work properly; all in one run on sentence on an SS with a fully boxed frame, which you need like a fish needs a bicycle but it's overkill fun to look at.
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