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?

Good question. I've just started autocrossing my bone stock 2002 ss and was looking to do the same things with my $1500.00.

Buy the Koni's and when you can, add a 35mm front bar. That's a fantastic package to start with. You do have to do the fronts twice if you add springs later, but I'd still buy the Koni's. (Koni's, 35mm front bar and a good quality PHB is a fantastic basic package). Add Strano springs and a 22mm hollow (or 21mm solid) rear bar if/when you can to finish things off.

e-mail is not a very good way to try and have a conversation... I get hundreds a day, and cannot be specific. Please call me if you have specific questions.

Koni's are the best shocks off the shelf you can buy, period. I make no bones about it, I'd rather drive another wise stock car on Koni's then have a lot of other stuff and so-so damping, especially with lowering springs, but even with stock springs.

Thanks Trackbird. I've been making a bunch of prioritization lists trying to figure out what would be the best route to go, but haven't talked to true experts regarding the matter yet. I read a bunch of your posts on ls1tech and thank you for your input. That helps out dramatically.

Sam...I'll be sure to call you next time. I knew you'd be bombarded with emails, so thanks for hitting me back on this thread! From reading your posts and seeing your event videos, you have my utmost respect!!! So if you think buy Koni's are worth it over a "bunch of other stuff together", then I'm all over it and will be placing my order tomorrow from your site.

zedzag....try to set yourself up with a nice set of tires. I was going to go Nitto NT01's, but am settling for the Kuhmo's as they've been proven in autox and I haven't found any in person that runs Nitto's...saving a touch of money for more treadwear...longer life.

Past that...I'm going to get the Koni's and follow trackbird's suggestion. After that it's gonna be feel good stuff...like race seats so I quit hanging on to the center console!

I would get the Koni's and wait for a used ST 35mm solid bar to pop up for sale.

I actually have a used set of 17" V710s and I'm looking for some wheels to mount them. I've autocrossed a different car on V710s so I know what they are capable of. After seeing everyone elses replies concerning the Koni's, I think I have to have a set!

Go ahead and get the Koni's now. Eventually you'll have more money to do bars and springs, but for now just get good shocks. It'll be better to learn on a mostly stock car anyway. Better to do things slowly and right, than do things all at once but have all ehhh parts. It's hard, but patience is key.

as the old cliche saying goes "half assed = half fast"

Love it!

Howdy,

Use credit card, get springs/shocks/bars now.

Mark

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.

Howdy,




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.)

In that case, DO NOT EVER try to drive a stock one. My 2002 absolutely sucked from the day I drove it off the lot (brand new) until I swapped out all the usual parts. Shocks are the absolute biggest improvement for these cars and the foundation on which to build everything else.

Well, you never drove a truly stock one. They are gorilla ass.... My shocks could have be turned way up from where they were, and made the car much more nimble. But for my inputs (i.e. early, not behind) I had it setup the way I could best flog it.

Yes blow entire budget. Totally worth it.

I have said before and to many people in person, Konis were the single best upgrade ever to my car's handling.

Howdy,

Btw, I don't mean to imply that you shouldn't spend the money on Konis...

I'm saying you should run up the CC and get springs/bars while you're at it. :-)

Mark

I couldn't imagine going back to stock shocks, springs, or bars. I really don't think I could do it. I'm glad I don't have money for a good set of tires because I know once I try them I'll never be content with anything cheap again.

Yeah, I'm almost afraid to try A/R6es (or even 710s for that matter), since once I do, I will probably even want to keep them on for street driving!!

V710s on the street? I'll try mine out around the block as soon as I can find a set of wheels to mount them on.

After reading this thred again I not only bought a set of Koni's, I bought the whole darn Strano handling package. I blame all of you!!LOL. Oh how the credit card loves me now.

Go read the alignment sticky in the suspension forum and you'll be on your way! Enjoy!!!

All over it!