Blow whole budget on Koni SA's? - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

So I've been trying to email Sam from stranoparts, but he hasn't responded yet. So I'm going to post my question here to get ya'll thoughts.

I have around $1,500 to work with. I need new tires for my 17x9.5 ZR1's. Going to get Kuhmo Ecsta XS 284/40-17's on all corners. These are event use only wheels/tires. The Kuhmo's are going to cost me $725 shipped. I'm not worried about mounting/balancing costs. So I have around $775 to play with for suspension.

Car Info...
Other than a strut tower brace, my 98 Trans Am suspension/chassis is completely stock.
I drive it on the street (not my only car though), and take it to shows, but I want to set it up primarily for autox. Class rules don't apply...yet anyways.

My original thought was SLP-Biltein shocks with Strano springs and a UMI 35mm solid front sway bar totalling $829.95. I would've thought that combo with the tires would be a phenomenal improvement. But after reading up on the SLP-Bilsteins, I understand they get overworked easily and don't hold up well. Obviously Koni's are the best...however should I really blow my entire budget for $850 Koni SA's?

98_TA_EMLC View Member Profile	Apr 28 2010, 06:52 PM Post #1
newbie Group: Members Posts: 8 Joined: 24-March 10 Member No.: 10,056	So I've been trying to email Sam from stranoparts, but he hasn't responded yet. So I'm going to post my question here to get ya'll thoughts. I have around $1,500 to work with. I need new tires for my 17x9.5 ZR1's. Going to get Kuhmo Ecsta XS 284/40-17's on all corners. These are event use only wheels/tires. The Kuhmo's are going to cost me $725 shipped. I'm not worried about mounting/balancing costs. So I have around $775 to play with for suspension. Car Info... Other than a strut tower brace, my 98 Trans Am suspension/chassis is completely stock. I drive it on the street (not my only car though), and take it to shows, but I want to set it up primarily for autox. Class rules don't apply...yet anyways. My original thought was SLP-Biltein shocks with Strano springs and a UMI 35mm solid front sway bar totalling $829.95. I would've thought that combo with the tires would be a phenomenal improvement. But after reading up on the SLP-Bilsteins, I understand they get overworked easily and don't hold up well. Obviously Koni's are the best...however should I really blow my entire budget for $850 Koni SA's?

pknowles View Member Profile	Apr 29 2010, 09:26 AM Post #2
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,427 Joined: 12-February 04 From: Huntingtown, MD Member No.: 193	It's amazing what shocks, a 35mm front bar, and alignment do to Fbodies. If there is any money to spend, those 3 are first on the list.

marka View Member Profile	Apr 29 2010, 02:19 PM Post #3
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,936 Joined: 26-September 05 From: Youngstown, OH Member No.: 896	Howdy, QUOTE (pknowles @ Apr 29 2010, 05:26 AM) It's amazing what shocks, a 35mm front bar, and alignment do to Fbodies. If there is any money to spend, those 3 are first on the list. I drove Sam's car once with that stuff on it in FS trim. If that was "amazing" I'd sure hate like hell to drive a stock one. It was a big marshmellow, apparently made of lead. It sucked. Mark (note: it was a good FS car, no question. But it felt like monkey ass.)