Hmm, sounds like your budget is the major factor. Priorities are a sound way to build a car. If money was no object then you wouldnt be asking here, you would just go with all the top of the line parts and mods that Im sure you have already researched.
But thats not very realistic, cause we ALL have a budget. So you want the most bang for the buck.
Well, I like to start outward. The wheels. If you get too ahead of yourself, and put in some parts just to find out you are limited on the wheel/tire package it gets old.
So think about the look, yeah, yer not asking about looks. But you should think about the look. For example if you are gonna try and stuff a 8" wheel on the front after you did some mods and it rubs the fenders then you will be back asking how to fit the wheels.
Start with the wheels you want to use, you may already have them. If they are stock then you prolly dont. If they are 6" wheels then you will build up the front and think hey, some wider meats on the road will really help all the mods I did, may be too late. The tires ARE a critical suspension component. Think about those first.
So anyway. Yer prolly not gonna modify the car alot from what I see. So Im thinking the stock control arms are gonna be saved.
If so, if you are looking to keep the stock suspension I would look at an entire rebuild of it. All the wear items. Bushings, steering gear (all the joints, the arms are still good), ball joints. If there is a roll bar new bushings all around. If there isnt a RB then one should be put in.
The steering gear box should be replaced with a modified piece.
After you remove and replace ALL the consumable items from the front end you should do the same with the rear end.
After ALL the original suspension components have been refreshed, including new springs and decent shocks you will see the price tag is still gonna be up there. And I didnt even talk about a brake upgrade. That should be a focus also.
The car will handle so much better than it does now. But it still wont be great, it will be firm and controllable. A nice street car really... And thats what it looks like you want, a nice street car that is fun to drive.
The limiting point is the alignment. You might be held back with the 60s alignment. Meaning you cant take advantage of some decent caster numbers and god forbid stuck with a positive camber number.
And thats one of the reasons folks go with aftermarket arms on a street car, to get a better alignment, more suited to the bigger tires that can handle the loads that the skinnies of the 60s could not.
So Im back to tires. They are the ending result for any suspension work. Keeping the tires on the ground. Even luxo boats like a large cadillaic can feel great at speed on the street, cause they keep the tire on the road.
IMO a street car has the best setup when the driver is comfortable driving it. The steering is solid (doesn't feel like an old truck). The suspension handles the bumps without pushing the car around. And the brakes are dependable and predictable....
Predictable cars are more fun to drive then a car that makes you think OH CRAP, is this stop or turn gonna work.
So anyway. Im going on and on, it friday
Having a beer and smoking a cheap cigar..
My point, look at what you want from the car, you already have a corner turner (the 98). Ya want decent stopping, solid steering, good tracking, and a lil more performance. IMO I would work with what you have and replace ALL the wear items. Thats bushings, shocks and springs, steering box and movable links. All of them. Anything that moves in relation to another part, consumables. Front and rear. With taht some additional components that might not be there now, like a roll bar (front and rear) and decent brakes (front and rear..
You do all that and you will spend some money..
But if you need the extra alignment flexibility then some control arms are in the pic too. One of the best improvements in steering (if your steering gear is solid) is some additional caster. Even with a sloppy spring setup and no roll bar. Its all about the feel for a street car. If you can steer a pig (heavy car, weak springs) into a turn and it feels solid then thats a good thing, it feels soild. And a high degree of caster will get you some camber gain. Tires on the road in a turn. Hmmm, dont know why I keep talking about the tires.
If the tires are planted, even though the car body feels like its over by 7 degrees then you are driving. Street car guys..
New bushings, springs, shocks, steering gear, ball joints and ya might make a fun car. JR
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Hold on! Don't paint me as a grandpa yet (that should not happen for at least another 7 years - I hope) No, not looking for a 60's style custom but a 60's mild custom. I love the pro tour look and the efficiency and power of the LS1 not to mention the fun of the 6 speed. I will be going with 17's to 20' and as wide as I can stuff under it and drop it 3 to 4 inches. I would love for it to handle like my '98 WS6 TA but that would really take some money.
I will make the calls to the contacts you recommended.
Yeah, that is some nice stuff to say the least and I could really see it on the car...........someday. I'll have 10 g wrapped up in it as is. Wife, four kids you know.... got to find some middle ground.
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