Hey guys got some questions for you. I plan on making some suspension upgrades in the near future and so far this is what I have come up for as my plan for a corner carving daily driver.

Ruslow 1000lb springs
Hotchkis Leafs
QA1's on all 4 corners
(Already have 2'' shackles)

My question is first, will I NEED anything else to complete the suspension?

Second, will I be able to do the upgrades one at a time, and if so what order should I do them in?

 

Larger anti sway bars.
I have the Hotchkis but some guys are using the Hellwigs, less money, and I think they need some extra working to get them on.

 

Also if you go with the Hellwigs, make sure you don't need them anytime soon. I'm still waiting for my rear bar, 2 months later. I called them yesterday (since the vendor isn't helping me at all, not one bit) and they told me they can't release any info about the bar to me. Not when it will ship, not if they got my order, nothing. Here's to hoping it comes someday!!!

 

The springs and shocks should be done together. The stockers will not hold up.

Anti-sways next.

Then panhard.

I have not yet installed my X-Factor, but I would not be surprised if it moved up ahead of the panhard and maybe the stabilizers.

Do you "NEED" any of the above? No. You don't even need the springs and shocks.

If you do not understand any of the above, do a search (here and on NLOC), review the results, and come back with any specific questions. You might also want to check out my Web site.

 

Thanks for the info I'll add the sway bar to my list.

Tim thanks for the help I've been reading your website and it has been very helpful.

I'm curious as to how it will compare to other stock cars handling wise once I get this stuff on the truck. Will I be handling as well as stangs, vette's, s2000's, STi's, or Carrera's?

 

Depends. On a steady, high-speed sweeper, my truck can hang with most anything that has similar tires.

But on the "technical" sections (quick transitions) or the typical autocross track, a lighter car with a lower CG and similar power-to-weight ratio will pull on me about every time. There is just too much mass sitting up too high to be able to compete with a low-slung car.

That's why you need to apex early and nail the $^%& throttle as soon as you have a clean shot at the straightaway. With a few bolt-ons, not many of those cars can hang with a Lightning if you can keep them behind you through the twisty bits.

And it's damn fun to get on a sports car's bumper in a Lightning. All they can see in their three mirrors is BLACK.

 

Perfect. Hopefully after driving school and some practice all the BLACK in their mirrors can make it's way to their front windshield.

 

Don't forget the little things like bumpstops, end links, clunk washers, cam bolts, and a good alignment.

Nothing like filling mirrors with a truck grill and getting the point-by.

Damn, I miss the Bolt sometimes.

Bob