NDTguy's build...

[ndtguy]

As far as suspension upgrades, I'm looking at Founders, Midwest Chassis and UMI/Strano, depending on the parts.

I am wondering if anyone just upgraded their sway bar end links and bushings with poly. Was it a noticeable difference or should I just upgrade to the Strano hallow bars?

[ndtguy]

Just finished up with putting on the Bilstein shocks on all 4 corners. I did them myself since the cheapest I was quoted to do all four was 340.00. LMAO!...no.

The rears are super easy. Do NOT pay anyone to do these. Literally took me longer to unbolt the top of the shocks and bolt the top bolt back in on the new shocks then the rest of the process.

The fronts are even fairly easy, but if there is one thing that I will do next time, I will gladly take the shock elsewhere to have the springs swapped on the new shock.

The spring compressor that I borrowed from Autozone was a total pain in the ass. Took forever to get enough tension on the spring to remove the top bolt (I needed to squeeze 5 coils to get the tension off of the bolt with the stock springs). I had no issues taking the top bolt off (I have a chicago electric impact from harbor freight). The electric impact worked like a champ. Without a doubt, the swapping of the springs and the sway bar links were the most time consuming thing about the entire project. Just be ready. I work out 2-3 times a week with cardo and weight training and I am sore. LOL

FYI, the LS1howto site, it is a big help for those who never did this swap before (aka...me). Total time, the rears took about an hour. The fronts took about 6 hours. Of the 6, at least 2 was trying to get the spring off the first strut and a good 40 minutes on the second strut. I started by only compressing three coils and it wasn't enough. Finally stopped last night and started up again this AM slapping the spring compressor back on the spring covering five coils and magic happpens.

[demonspeed]

I take it you kept the stock springs?

What did you decide with the sway bars?

[ndtguy]

Kept the stock springs. I am on hold with my project until the following happen...
1. Kids get a swing set/slide combo
2. Wife's, new to us, durango gets a set of running boards
3. Pay off one credit card.

I might sneak a set of subframe connectors in before then. LOL

[demonspeed]

I completely understand where you're coming from! Priorities!

[ndtguy]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

I completely understand where you're coming from! Priorities!

Exactly!

I took the car out today to see how the new shocks are going to be. I can say that I am impressed. Check my thread out here... http://vegaslsx.com/vbulletin/showth...=5716#post5716

This is my plate frame...


Just finished talking to the wife. She's ok with me getting a set of LCA/PHB/STB from Founders. It will be my "Father's Day" gift. I guess she forgot that my SS was my Bday/Fathers/Easter/Christmas/etc gift for the next 4 years. Then again, I just did buy her a nice Durango.

[demonspeed]

Any reasoning to go with Founders over UMI?

[ndtguy]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

Any reasoning to go with Founders over UMI?

Mostly price. A few guys out here have Founders LCA/PHB/STB and have no issues. I saw the cross section cutout of the Founders welds on LS1tech and their welds are good to go. Don't get me wrong, I think UMI has a great product. I haven't seen Founders go the way of Granatelli or UPR yet, so I'll try them out.

When the time comes, I'll be ordering...

Subframes, I'm going with Midwest Chasis subframe connectors.
Sway bars, I'm going Strano's hallow bars (35/22).
Brakes, end up getting powerslot rotors with stoptech blue pads.
Stainless steel brake lines from Strano.

Now I wish I would have ordered Strano springs for my car reguardless of the driveway angle. :(

[demonspeed]

The Strano springs really provide a nice stance; however, they're spec'd for Koni's -- just keep that in mind.

I hear you on the price thing, too. What's funny is that UMI was the "inexpensive" brand when they first came out. I wouldn't have thought suspension parts to get even cheaper, but low and behold someone comes out and does it. I'm partial to UMI, though, so they'll always have my endorsement.

[ndtguy]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

The Strano springs really provide a nice stance; however, they're spec'd for Koni's -- just keep that in mind.

I hear you on the price thing, too. What's funny is that UMI was the "inexpensive" brand when they first came out. I wouldn't have thought suspension parts to get even cheaper, but low and behold someone comes out and does it. I'm partial to UMI, though, so they'll always have my endorsement.

I talked to Sam about his springs and he said the same thing (spec'd for Konis, but will work for 2, maybe 3 years with the Bilsteins). Hence one of the reasons I didn't order them with the Bilsteins. I can tell you that the Bilsteins and stock springs seem to match up well other than the ride height (I wish it was lower). Anyways, the car handles pretty well now and rides a whole lot better for just a shock change.

I remember when UMI came out with their suspension parts and I agree, I can't believe that someone can do it for a cheap as they're doing it, but that's the way our capitalist system works. Now, normally, I would be worried about the cheap guy's quality, but seeing it first hand and the cutout of their welded parts, I can say it's good to go.

Nothing I have listed above is set in stone, so if UMI has a sale coming up, I would definately look at buying them, especially since I will NOT be buying adjustable LCA/PHB. If I had a set of springs, I would definately get the adjustable PHB, but IMHO as of right now, I do not need it. I'll make that call when it's time for me to purchase some suspension parts.

[demonspeed]

I see what you're saying about not going with adjustable at the present time. Do keep in mind that you may want to upgrade at some point, though. Even if you do not lower the car, running wider wheels and/or tires may necessitate repositioning the rear which the adjustable PHB/LCA will allow.

[xXSilencerXx]

If you ever plan on lowering the car you're gunna need adjustable LCA's and PHB. I made the mistake of getting non adjustable LCA's, being under the impression the relocation brackets would make up for it. They help but there is still a lengthening of the wheel base with the non adjustables.

[ndtguy]

So I got the itch to do something different with my car. I cleaned up my rims the weekend I put on the shocks and saw just how bad the paint was on them. Since I'm family poor, LOL, I thought about painting the rims completely black, but the pics that I saw on the internet with a white car, it was kinda 'ho-hum' in my honest opinion.

Then I was on LS1tech and found a setup on a white SS that I really liked. One lesson I learned last night is do not, under any circumstances, tape up your rims/calipers when you're tired. Anyways, I painted the lip area with silver (which also has a little metallic flake in it) and when it dried, I taped everything off but the spokes and center section which I painted black. I will have to touch up the first two rims, the last two I will try to get to and finish today and do a better taping up correctly.

Anyways, enough typing, its photo time.

Stock Rim...


New look...


Edit: I still have to paint the inside of the rim. I am painting it the same silver as the lip area. I will have to finish it during the week when I come home from work and after the kido's are in bed.

[demonspeed]

Not bad. My only suggestion may have been plastidip rather than paint so it'd be easy to go back to silver should you decide you don't like the new look.