hmmm.....as I am trying to learn and understand about this coil over business, I am getting a ton of information. Just today Luke at THMotorsports tells me I will need a rear camber kit even if I want to lower my car only 1". I had not heard that from anyone yet....but I am VERY concerned about tire wear as I just dropped coin on new Hankooks. I appreciated his insight....I wonder what else I need to know but dont....What other unknown suspension items will I need if I want to lower my car and do it right? I do not want to ruin my new tires obviously and I want to lower the car around 1".....I want to do this right...not cheap. If I have to save and do it right, then so be it....just need a list of ALL the things I need to consider so I can get an overall idea of the total costs.....cuz...it sounds like it might be more than just the coil -overs themselves....can anyone give me some experienced input please? I need to knw what parts I should buy to do the car right and not eat tires.

 

ok...so my car has been on stands for over 2 weeks now....still lots of little things I am doing and I am waiting for some parts. I sent my new wheels to get a clear coat on them. I know the matte look is in, but I like the ease of maintenance on the sealed rims as well I want a little shine to them. Once the clear coat is on them, they will be much easier to take care of.
I did get a chance to finish the engine cover, and service covers though and they came out very nice. Well...at least I think it did! The burnt copper and black scheme under the hood with a few polished items I think will look nice. The text on the top was a PITA!
The calipers are still my fav part and I am really liking the candy orange color. This weekend I am hoping to get me new T3 Clubspec rotors installed as well as my Goodridge phantom lines, calipers and Hawk HPS pads. Then I am going to get the CAI in and the Cusco bar as well. I am considering painting my radiator overflow bottle, but can't decide if I should do the burnt copper, or maybe do it gloss black. I do not want to have too much copper color....just the right amount. I was also considering maybe a blue accent color. I am leaving the Cusco mounts the stock blue color as it plays against the copper well. Maybe a metallic blue to match those mounts would be tight...I cant wait to get it all together again so I can actually drive it!

 

Only dropping an inch you should be OK w/out the arms, but may need a toe bolt kit, this essentially gives more toe adjustment by giving you a bigger concentric toe washer. This involves elongating the toe bolt slot to give you the larger adjustment range. Not a big deal but you want to know this going in. Toe is the killer for tire wear, your camber can be a bit out of spec and your treadwear will still be OK. IMO w/ coilovers it's best to buy front & rear camber kits & rear toe kit since you might want to go lower eventually, and just get it all installed at once. If you DIY the parts are about $500, not much in the total scheme of things. If you're absolutely sure an inch is all you'll be wanting then IMO a toe kit would be the most you'd have to buy and they're about $60 DIY.

BTW your freshly painted copper parts are looking primo!

 

blnewt...is there anyone or vendor on this forum that can get good prices on Work wheels? I am looking at the the new CR Ultimate in 19".....need to see if I can afford these....haven't even put on the TSW I bought yet....waiting for some parts from the painter and going stir crazy!

 

You might want to post "Best prices on new Work wheels?" in the wheel/tire section. Not sure if B2Autodesigns carry them, if so Charles is a great guy to deal with and will get you a nice deal. If there's any older model Work wheels you like you might want to put a WTB (want to buy) thread in the private classified wheel section here and on g35driver.com

 

Thanks a ton. I also found a Hydroforming place here in San Diego. Going to give em a call and see what they can do for me. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

Awesome, look forward to seeing what you end up doing.

 

It is definitely taking forever to get the things I want done....done! Car has been on jack stands for almost a month. But I am trying to make sure I do everything right, patiently and for the long term. Wheels should be here this week (getting clear coat)....I have almost everything else ready. Waiting on my Hotchkis sways....hopefully here this week as well. Going to go ahead and install Goodridge lines and my sweet DBA rotors. I will probably wait on the calipers until the wheels come that way I can get all that done at once. I will be able to do everything except my FI since it will not be here for some time yet.
I am also looking into the new Koni/H&R or Koni and Swift combo instead of coil overs. Since I know I only want a 1'' or so drop I think the set it and forget it way is for me...plus I hear the Koni set ups rock.

 

That new Koni/H&R alliance sounds intriguing, I don't think anyone here has tried them yet since they just came out. The only thing I'd worry about is H&R rarely accurately states their true drop. Seems like they almost always say the drop is about 1/2" higher than what it really is. Look forward to this build, the parts are coming together nicely

 

that is good to note...I think I have heard that as well...I might do the Koni's with Swift instead as I have heard they are a sweet set as well. I REALLY don't want my car too low. Just not my thing. The ride is stiff enough as it is and with the new 20" wheels...going to be a little stiffer already. Maybe a few years ago....bu now...just want to no fear the driveways or speed bumps and also not scratch the hell out off all the money and parts I am putting on!

 

I pulled the trigger today on Whiteline sways....spent a ton of time reading threads on Hotchkis vs Whiteline etc....soolman32 said the right thing in that he loves his as they work...but are not too stiff. Joe at Zspeed Performance hooked me up with a great price and threw in the lateral locks.
I also read the threads on the variety of opinions on the installation of the Cusco or Gspec bars....holy c*** batman...can you say more confused than ever? I am going to be putting everything together this weekend as the paint guy told me today my wheels are done.....I still dont know how to put the Cusco bar on....tires up....tires down.....loaded unloaded....ying or yang.....man...
Maybe I should just weld the damn thing on!

 

The Cusco vs GT Spec debate rages on always.. as with most other things.. some people get rubbing issues with the GT spec.. they are both priced the same. I personally am getting a Cusco.

It's interesting seeing all the little pics posted here and there of the additions, and paint.. looking forward to a photo shoot.

 

tastefully mod! nice work

 

Ok...my new wheels came back from paint. The look freaking awesome. I had a clear put on them as that is really the look I am going for. Not into the matte thing. The back of the rim also looks better than they were out of the box. Very happy with the results. I also had a little hiccup with my calipers as the clear started flaking off the first time I did it. I guess I did not abrade the surface well enough for paint.
I had to re-PC the fronts (expensive!), do the vinyl stickers again, and then I had them professionally clear coated. Much better. The color is a little darker than the first time...I like it even better.
So...if all goes well...this weekend is for assembly. I have everything except my sways and springs. And of course the FI CBE; as the wait on those is forever...sways should be here Monday or Tuesday.

I still am not sure how I should put the Cusco bar on....the car is on stands right now. Should I wait and lower the car...or put just the mounts on with the car on the ground and then unload the suspension and then install the bar? That 12 page thread about installation gave me a headache....you would think that by now there would be a definitive way to do it!
Who has the answer?

oh and yeah..once the major stuff is done....hopefully this weekend...I am going to clean, wax and detail my baby and head down to San Diego to take some pics. I will take pics of the process as well and post. I am looking forward to seeing it all come together...I think it is going to look sweet.

 

Can't wait to see this completed! Hurry up! Haha.