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 Post subject: My suspension evolution
PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:04 pm 
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Mike Sessei wrote:
...and after reading that good write-up about your beautiful machine, 95naSTA, how did you come to settle on your custom coilover setup? Just lots of trial and error, or was there something out there that was just similar enough? It was an Eibach coilover, yes?


Yeah a crap ton of trial and error. It was/is one major evolution.

Those springs that speedyguy sold were one off's and as far as I know it was the first 92-99 that was lowered via drop springs. (smellbird)

The second was paulnold and we went with 1-off coilsprings.com drop springs that were a 1.5" drop and F41 spec stiffness.

I followed suit with coilsprings.com except went with a 2" front and 1.75" rear and GR2s.
This setup was pretty stiff, handled great in turns, but was far from ideal on the highway. The front end would bob up and down after larger dips showing that those GR2s could not keep up with the drop and spring rate. I got into an accident that totaled that car.

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Keep in mid that the offset on those wheels isn't too agressive and it seems a little lower than it really is.

For my current car I set out for improved dampening. OEM replacements were not going to cut it.

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I was originally going to do Koni inserts into cut OEM shocks and coilsprings.com springs but found out some interesting info junkyarding.

KYB AGXs for the W-bodies have been out for a while by then for the W-body community and they seemed to be remedying any pogo issues those guys were having. I knew that they wouldn't bolt up but found that they would to the 00+ H-body knuckle and that it had the same balljoint/hub/tie-rod end orientation as the 92-99. The GP knuckle probably could have worked but it would have been pushing the limits of tie-rod end length.

Another thing that pushed me toward the use of another knuckle is front brake upgrade options. With the GP or 00+, 12" brake upgrades were possible.

A W-body strut could obviously use W-body drops springs just so long as the top of the spring had the same ID as a 92-99. And it did.

The last minor snag was the shaft diameter. The W-body's was slightly smaller, So I found a radiused washer to enlarge the contact point of the top mount and shimmed it where it went through the top mount.

I used Eibach springs and it lowered the front end quite a bit. I want to say around 2.5-3". For the rear I used coilsprings.com custom 2" drop springs and Monro Matic Plus air assist struts so I could dial in the ride height if need be.

That setup was amazing. Decently low, handled great, not real harsh, no pogo, and unparalleled braking with any 92-99.

The write-up for this setup is here: http://95nasta.infiniteboost.com/wp-con ... e_1pt1.pdf

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But, I wanted lower. I tried another set of W-body springs that should have made it lower but it didn't. Then tried a custom 3.5" W-body front drop spring and that also didn't get it any lower. It wasn't near the bump stops or anything; it just didn't work out as planned.

During this time period, I had issues with my passenger side axle where there wasn't enough slack in the boot and it would pull off the outer CV. The more aggressive axle angle was finally taking its toll. I was able to fix it by pushing the inner side of the outer CV outward giving the boot more slack and it stopped giving me issues.

I wanted to go lower but I knew I was already pushing the limits of the axles. So, I raised the entire drive train 1.5" using aluminum blocks (front/TA) and modified brackets (rear/dogbone). This put the axles back close to neutral.
1.5" blocks:
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Modified rear mount. I cut washers as necessary to make a flat mounting surface for the trans
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The first iteration of the dogbone mount. The problem with this is it put the dogbone below the subframe.. I went to avoid an accident on the highway as someone was kind enough to make a 90* turn in front of me at 55 mph.. and my right wheel caught a Jersey barrier. It put me up in the air enough to bottom out my subframe, punch that dogbone, crack the diff housing plus case and shift the diff enough to damage the pinion gear. The trans was ruined.. You can see the mount hanging in the second pic.
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I ended up replacing the modified mount for a stock one and used a Rodney Dickman Fiero adjustable dogbone. Spinning it down almost all the way get's it lined up.
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Before and after axle angle
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And finally I decided to go to a DIY coilover sleeve setup up front, similar to what the GP guys do. I cut the perch off the AGXs, put a sleeve on, 400lb springs, bearings top and bottom and welded a section of 2.5" pipe to the top mount to center the spring up top. For the rear, I went with a 3" custom drop spring.

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This setup netted zero wheel gap, an even nicer ride, good handling, and no cv boot issues. I figured out what the lowest ride was that could work as a DD with very little issue. I surprisingly still have decent ground clearance too.

That's the major thing will all of my setups. The ability to DD. Up until I started my winter build I drove my car every day, anywhere and everywhere. Just the past summer I had 4 people and a jam packed trunk on a mini road trip. No problems. Air assist shocks are the truth.

Right now I have a few things in the works to improve the roll center, top mounting, and fender clearance. So, the limits will be pushed once again.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


Last edited by 95naSTA on Mon Feb 20, 2017 9:20 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:21 pm 
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- Stock Is A Bad Word -
Beautiful! Your time and efforts really show here, Mike.
Thanks for the very in depth explanation.

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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 4:22 pm 
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Year and Trim: 91 S10 P/U
97 SSEI- 136k
amazing,

when do we get to hear those headers?

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PostPosted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 5:32 pm 
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Thanks.

This is it so far:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd-yRwWZYLY

It'll be a few months at least till the engine/trans are back in the car.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:53 pm 
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I added the W/F body upgrade write-up. I don't know why I didn't include it before.

If there are any questions, other than pricing, feel free.

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Image
95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 10:12 pm 
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Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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Love the write up, and found the pdf. I am extremely thankful that you went to your great lengths of research for this as this is exactly what I'll be doing for my 1988 T-Type. Already have the calipers, knuckles and hub, just need to put together the hardware kit and figure out a strut and spring combo. Do you have anything left from all the different variations you came up with?
If not I was thinking of some w-body KYB agx with either a coilspring.com lowering set or Eibach set. The only reason I am leaning towards the coil spring set is that I couldnt make use of the rear Eibach coils, and probably wouldnt be able to sell them.
I'm sure I'll make up my mind one of these days.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:19 pm 
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Sorry, I've pretty much sold off everything. I was able to sell just the rear Eibachs on CGP when I bought a full set.

Just for refrence though I ordered a 2.5" drop and 25% stiffer than FE3 for a W-body front springs from coilsprings and it netted maybe a tiny bit higher than the Eibachs.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


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PostPosted: Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:28 pm 
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I can tell you've put a lot of blood sweat and tears into that car to get it how you want. Great work Mike. :wink:

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:25 am 
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Excellent. I just might go that route on my car after the top swap is done :twisted:

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:28 am 
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It really looks like great work, man. If/when I can finally get some time and money to put into my SSE, I might follow some of your good work.

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PostPosted: Tue Jan 11, 2011 10:41 am 
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I appreciate it guys. :)

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


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PostPosted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:20 pm 
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Year and Trim: 1996 PA Ultra and 2005 Impala
Great write up thanks.One question I noticed you made no mention of the control arms.Yours look aluminum and your car came with stamped steel no?Did you use aluminum arms from a newer car?If so any issues?


Last edited by myloth on Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 1:48 am 
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Nope I have stock 92-99 control arms.

I did use the aluminum steering knuckle from an 00+ H-body though.

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


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PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:33 am 
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Ah ok I'm not sure they would fit though I don't have one here for reference.I have my front and rear suspension apart and looking at pics of the aluminum looks like it has rubber bushings in both eyes where as the steel has rubber in one and the other on the frame hmm...yards want enough for the aluminum arms for me not to buy one for R&D but maybe I'll take my steel with me and compare when I buy the knuckles.


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PostPosted: Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:46 am 
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How much is too much for aluminum control arms? I have a stockpile here.

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:30 am 
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This car is amazing

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PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 3:22 pm 
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Year and Trim: 1990/SSE/1993SSE/1999SE
Were did You get the head Lamps I love them!


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PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:15 pm 
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x3nebula wrote:
Were did You get the head Lamps I love them!


First off, this thread is quite old, you will want to pay attention to dates so that old threads don't get stirred up.

Second, I believe they came off of a BMW, and he did custom bodywork to make them work.

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PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 1:08 am 
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Thanks. They're off an E39 5 series.

Here's info on the work needed to make them fit:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12270&p=150098&

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95 SLE... a keeper. 241k miles. Low and Slow.
97 BMW 528i
98 Infiniti vq35'd i30: 13.3@104mph, 30MPG Hwy (RIP)
02 Jag X-type
03 BMW M5
05 Chevy Cobalt LS
07 Infiniti G35s 6MT (Sold)
07 Ducati Monster S2R 800 with DS1000 swap
83 Yamaha IT175K
72 Yamaha DS7: '74 RD250 swap, JL chambers

Info on dropping a 92-99: Here.


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PostPosted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:23 pm 
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Location: Dickinson, NY
Year and Trim: 1995 SE
Love your Car man. Any updates on the car since your last post? I'm planning on doing the DIY coilovers to my car as well. What length springs did you get for coil overs and where did you get the bearings for the springs? Also you just let the sleeve rest on the bottom of the shocks right? And did you leave the back shocks stock but just have the 3'' drop springs?


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