Suspension ponderings

[Joe Morreale]

Yesterday I bought a set of hard-s Bilsteins. Used, but in good shape. I looked up the spring rates and they're the same as my sport springs. 168/130.

I should get new bump stops, but don't have a clue what to get. I also have real low mileage msm red springs that I think might work well with them. Their spring rates are 215/158. I think they're a half inch lower, which is as much from stock as I want.

Just wanted some opinions on what to do. This will probably be a winter project, it's too damn hot to do what I have to.

[minuteman048]

Check these out from Fat Cat Motorsports. I got the ones for my application:

http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM....htm#Bumpstops

[pdexta]

I'd throw the msm springs on and reuse your stock bumpstops, but I'm cheap like that

[minuteman048]

Check these out from Fat Cat Motorsports. I got the ones for my application:

http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM....htm#Bumpstops

What I got on my car.

[Agent☣Orange]

I’m glad you’re tackling your suspension, Joe. The last time I drove your car around a curve, I got road rash on my ear.

[minuteman048]

It goes but don't turn.

[Joe Morreale]

I got to put my shocks together yesterday. I visited my friend in St. Pete. He's got this cool spring compressor. You put the base of the shock in a clamp, then swing your hooks over to the springs and center them. Then you just turn the ratcheting wheel and it compresses the spring as far as you need. Just turn counterclockwise to release. You can see the disintegrated bumpstops on the floor.

[Agent☣Orange]

Now that looks handy. If I were doing struts all the time, I’d love to have it.

[minuteman048]

Cool. What kind of bump stops did you get?

[Joe Morreale]

I wound up using mini Cooper bumpstops from Rock Auto. A little tall at 52mm but with stock suspension are supposed to be the cheapskates way. They're some kind of poly and cost about $8 each. So I got the hard s billies with MSM springs and new bumpstops with under $300 invested. My current sport springs have a 1/4" sag on the driver's side and the konis are just about rusted through. So I can't get the car to align well. Sometimes amaze myself what a cheapskate I can be. I'm saving my pennies for more critical stuff like, replacing the motor, when it's time. In the meantime, who knows what will break.