Ultimate Level I suspension

[GreenFish]

Ok with the recent discussions about suspension mods I put together a spread sheet and tried to come up with the best front and rear package using a stock K frame and lower control arms with Torsion bars.

I pretty much used a combination of three vendors XV, Hotchkis, and Firm Feel.

Here is what I came up with looking for the best prices on all parts:
Keeping in mind I already have a PST large sway bar.

I had originally used

Hotchkis A-arms, Steering Rods, Strut Rods and bushing. =$1232
Rear Leaf springs and swaybar $796

Firm Feel
Torsion bars, Modified Lower control arms, Power steering box , and reinforced K-frame (powdercoated) $1379

The total for all of this came to $3407

Then I took into consideration the XV Level I

XV L1 kit includes F/R sway, Strut Rods, Leaf Springs, and torsion bars with bushings, AND SHOCKS. $2250

Now add:
Hotchkis Upper control arms $650 (Jegs)
Hotchkis steering rods $250 (jegs)

Firm feel
Power Steering box $329
Reinforced lower control arms $150
Reinforced K frame $575 (powder coated)
(all these do not include core charge)

Total $3629

Which is cheaper because this includes the XV shocks and front sway bar as well. Remember I omitted the front sway bar because I already had a decent PST bar. Pretty sure all my numbers are right and if you dont want to spend a ton of cash on a system that has a fancy K frame stay with a basicly stock looking suspension, this is the way to go. This is just about everything too. You can subtract things you dont want, or used different upper A arms.

In Comparison the AlterKtion set up is $4250 with motor mounts then you still need to add a brake kit +$695 = $4945 and that is just the front end.

Hope this helps someone out.

[RB2929]

Any thoughts of going ala cart with XV Motor Sports?
The engine bay bar, radiator supoort, wheel well brace, or the chassis stiffner?
Just Curious

http://www.xvmotorsports.com/products/detail/index.cfm?nPID=176&cid=39&cdesc=E%2DBody%20Products

[jvike]

XV just made their Level I shocks available for purcase outside the kit. http://www.xvmotorsports.com/media/XVLevelIShocks.pdf

I'd get the complete level I front suspension and a FirmFeel box, but the most notable would be the XV chassis stiffening kit. From there you could upgrade your A-arms, strud rods and tierods. I'd save me some money on the K-member and weld it myself or give it to a local shop to do it.

[GreenFish]

Chassis stiffening would be next on my list as well. Some may have issues with this because it requires welding parts onto your car. I will most likely go this route as well since Ill have the car apart.

The point was to put together a suspension without breaking the bank completely. You could add or remove items as needed. I would just buy the entire XV kit because its cheaper that way if nothing else.

[GreenFish]

You could also throw in the Cap auto lower control arms if you dont like the firm feel units. A few more bucks but another option.

[IMNCARN82]

The RMS shaves some weight. I love it,And think it's very worth the added cost.It looks better for sure. Opens up the whole engine bay. The rack steering is an obvious upgrade that works flawlessly. If I would have put all the time and effort into doing up the factory stuff.I'd have been disappointed. It's just not the same. It might be a comparison in the performance realm. But I wanted something a touch more exotic for my car.The 4 link outperforms the leafs hands down. But that's another story. It can be a tough choice. And get's pricey. But it has been worth every single penny so far.

[inviolet]

If your going to go all out don't forget to add Greasable Lower Control Arm Pins with Urethane bushings
 (Firm Feel)

[GreenFish]

If your going to go all out don't forget to add Greasable Lower Control Arm Pins with Urethane bushings
 (Firm Feel)

ahh.. good call Inviolet, little things that are nice to have that if you are going to buy the lowers you might as well get the greaseable pins.

[GreenFish]

The RMS shaves some weight. I love it,And think it's very worth the added cost.It looks better for sure. Opens up the whole engine bay. The rack steering is an obvious upgrade that works flawlessly. If I would have put all the time and effort into doing up the factory stuff.I'd have been disappointed. It's just not the same. It might be a comparison in the performance realm. But I wanted something a touch more exotic for my car.The 4 link outperforms the leafs hands down. But that's another story. It can be a tough choice. And get's pricey. But it has been worth every single penny so far.

The point of my research was to save money and still have a nice set up.

My set up $3629 Front and rear
AlterKtion
Front $5000
Rear $2000
Total $7000 and you still need rear brakes.

Thats twice what you would pay with stock type stuff. I have no doubt that the Alterkation stuff is better and definitely has the cool factor. But with the extra $3500 I can put that somewhere else in my car.