Would like to trade my Weld RTS wheels for BLACK ones (like Jeg's)...or maybe have mine powdercoated

edfiero

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Joined
Mar 27, 2017
So what is the best bang for the buck to improve the handling on the GN? Not looking to race or autocross, just want the car to handle a little LESS like something that is 35 years old.

I tried doing a search on Hotchkis to see what of people thought of their front control arms and springs, but most of what comes up is people SELLING the stuff, so it must have not produced the desired results.

Hoping to spend 500 to 700 bucks.
Thanks
 
I'd go to kirbanperformance.com and get new springs and Bilstein shocks all around along with a body bushing kit and all the braces he sells.. makes a big difference
 
Tires, shocks, springs, braces.

Might research 1"-1.5" lowering springs. Think Eibach is available through Summit.
 
I'd go to kirbanperformance.com and get new springs and Bilstein shocks all around along with a body bushing kit and all the braces he sells.. makes a big difference

^^ X2
The next step would be lower A-arm urethane bushings, UMI upper A-arms with heim joints and 1” taller upper ball joints.
 
So what is the best bang for the buck to improve the handling on the GN? Not looking to race or autocross, just want the car to handle a little LESS like something that is 35 years old.

I tried doing a search on Hotchkis to see what of people thought of their front control arms and springs, but most of what comes up is people SELLING the stuff, so it must have not produced the desired results.

Hoping to spend 500 to 700 bucks.
Thanks

You're not going to get it done for $700, but you can do it for under $1000

Since you're not racing, don't overthink it. Get it back to where it should be and make a few strategic improvements, and you can get almost all of it from AutoZone or O'Reilly:
1) Body bushing kit - $~190
2) Springs and shocks, Moog 5660 front and CC651 Rear springs, with the Bilstein shocks, ~$400-$450
3) Front poly Control arm bushings: $90
4) Rear rubber control arm bushings: $50
5) Tall upper ball joints, $80 - AFCO 20032-2LF Low Friction Upper Ball Joint, Extended Length
6) A good alignment, $70-100

That's going to make it ride and handle like a modern car for a shade under a grand. New steering components could add $150 or so (tie rods, idler, etc).

If the car's not rusty and the body bolts come out, and you get a ball joint press and the tool for pressing the old bushings out of the rear end, you can do all of this over a weekend with a lift. Without a lift, the front springs can be a bear. Autozone also sells fully assembled front control arms with new bushings and ball joints already installed. They'd be a HUGE time saver if you don't want to mess with the poly.
 
Going from 15 up to 17 or 18 inch rims is a huge improvement. But looks and cost to consider. Hard to compare but I think this is the biggest factor to consider but I realize it's big bucks. Blown out shocks and worn parts will make it wallow big time too.
 
Going from 15 up to 17 or 18 inch rims is a huge improvement. But looks and cost to consider. Hard to compare but I think this is the biggest factor to consider but I realize it's big bucks. Blown out shocks and worn parts will make it wallow big time too.

Wheel size and backspace still apply when going to 17?
Front 7 inches and 4 backspace
Rear 8 inches and 4.5 backspace
 
I would consider what deezdad said to be the absolute minimum. Definitely biggest bang for the buck.
Next step would be Turbo6inKY's list. I know that he was trying to keep it under $1000 but I would highly recommend that if you ever plan to hit the gas hard, especially not in a 100% straight line to get some beefy rear lower control arms too. My Global West ones pretty much eliminated my wheel hop.
 
Kirban no longer sells springs. Your best bet is Moog springs.
I am actually on the same boat as you. Already ordered Bilstein and now deciding on the shocks..
Planning on using 5660 on the front and 5409 at the back for a slight lowering with stiffer springs.
Changed all body mounts (prothane) and both upper control arms (stock bushings for now)
Poly sway bushings and end links.
Next, wheels and tires...still undecided on keeping the 15 or going to 17...
 
Kirban no longer sells springs. Your best bet is Moog springs.
I am actually on the same boat as you. Already ordered Bilstein and now deciding on the shocks..
Planning on using 5660 on the front and 5409 at the back for a slight lowering with stiffer springs.
Changed all body mounts (prothane) and both upper control arms (stock bushings for now)
Poly sway bushings and end links.
Next, wheels and tires...still undecided on keeping the 15 or going to 17...
There are no good tires left in 15" diameter, aside from drag radials and racing slicks for Miatas.
 
hello people: As far as springs I went with a set from GSCA and I'm happy with them. Just to throw ithat in there....
IBBY
 
LOL ....I was just gonna tag GX1 or Turbo6inKY.....niceeee
I have liked my 15 " Cooper tires...a true American company....and tires are a such a crucial over looked piece of the pie...
 
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Last year I put the ultra grip Cooper in 225's and they were very good
Not sure you can still get the cooper unless you fine a shop that can find the odd stuff
Now I'm on 17" front 7" rim 245/45/17 and 8" rim 275/40/17 in the back they just fit
Rims are US Mag Rambler 110 all chrome no spacers
 

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IROC Z front sway bar. Replace control arm bushings frt/rear with firmer bushings. Good shocks. Bigger rear bar I have old ATR one. Summit has a larger one for decent $. Replace body bushings.
 
For me, sway bars made the biggest improvement in handling. I have a Detroit Speed rear sway bar out back and the 1LE in front. If you want to improve ride then address shocks, I used KYB in both cars until last year when I switched to Viking double adjustable and its night and day.
 
I just did the bilstien shocks. That upgrade alone made all the difference.

FYI...don't buy from Kirban. You can find them on Amazon for about $180 cheaper.
 
I just did the bilstien shocks. That upgrade alone made all the difference.

FYI...don't buy from Kirban. You can find them on Amazon for about $180 cheaper.
RockAuto has them at 70 apiece.
I will leave stock springs for now
Poly body bushings (Prothane) -120
poly sway bar bushings (stock bars) 20
rear control arms poly bushings (pending) - will plan to swap the arms, non-adjustable, any recommendations?.
rear shock brace (100)
new front upper control arms (went stock, 120 for both)

Tires will be the last item as I will add some wheels.
 
LOL ....I was just gonna tag GX1 or Turbo6inKY.....niceeee
I have liked my 15 " Cooper tires...a true American company....and tires are a such a crucial over looked piece of the pie...
The thing with the coopers and their repop BFG Radial TAs and Goodyears is that they're repops. The compound isn't modern, and the tread patterns are missing out on thirty years of development.

So yeah, you can get tires from them that are OE sizes for your show car, but if you put any miles on it, you will be better off getting some 16s so you can buy a modern tire. They are sooo much better in every way.
 
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