Suspension vs. pure power..what to do?!

[ozthunder]

I've come to an interesting crossroads...should I save up for headers and a tune, or should I start work on the suspension? I would spend roughly the same on each, but to be honest, I'm not sure which one is worth more. Help?!

[TROLL]

oh come on we cant answer that for you... what are you more interested in? maybe a little of both now then a little more of both later?

[Verocious]

Power is of little use if you cant get it to the ground. I would do the suspension first.

[ozthunder]

To be honest, I'm interested in having a car that's going to be able to hold it's own in all categories. Believe it or not, GTO's turn quite a well (a reason why you need new axles for serious drag racing). And I have power..but I tell you what..power is addictive, and to be honest, I'm not quite sure i'm ready to handle that field. I'm asking for opinions here b/c since there is a wide variety of automobilia, I should be able to get different aspects.

But just a run down..

For suspension, i'd do new bushings and springs from Pedders (prolly close to 800$), and sways (400$). For headers i'd do Kooks with a coating and high flow cat (~1200). I expect to have ~350rwhp with that and a tune (tune being ~400$).

[naDintheHat]

suspension.
Because i look at it this way if you have it done, when u start making bigger power then its going to be adaptable to the current setup of the car. imo.
but my opinion doesn't really count since i am lucky if my car puts down 90 whp..

[ozthunder]

Originally Posted by naDintheHat

suspension.
Because i look at it this way if you have it done, when u start making bigger power then its going to be adaptable to the current setup of the car. imo.
but my opinion doesn't really count since i am lucky if my car puts down 90 whp..

But every opinion helps!

[MPowerKai]

First braking, then suspension, then power, then aerodynamics

[CHAOS]

dylan, having driven every year of GTO, i feel that the stock suspension has its downfalls but is quite capable, same with the power... i would go with suspension, itll drastically change the way the car drives... and its generally not something you have to repeatedly work on like the engine.

[ozthunder]

Thanks Jon. I mean..stock the cars pretty quick and handles decently for what it is. After my exhaust, I should be wear I want to be to be set up for the rest of the power play. Now the question is..bushings and springs first, or sways?

And i'm doing Hawk HPS pads in a few weeks..I don't feel like shelling out $$ for a BBK now.

[TurboTagTeam]

power is nothing without balance.

just a thought

[CleanNeon98]

I did my suspension becuase I couldnt afford any of the power mods for my car, and I love it. The car has a great ride, and body roll was GREATLY reduced..wish I got the sway bar upgrade too, but I can do that step later if I so choose. I never liked the cars that go crazy fast in a line, but understeer horribly into a turn, so I would do suspension first..besides im sure your GTO has quite a bit of power as is.

[ozthunder]

Originally Posted by TurboTagTeam

power is nothing without balance.

just a thought

Expound?

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by onebadgoat9286

Expound?

Seems like he means the same thing I do..whats the point of having so much straightline acceleration when you understeer off the road at the first turn.

[ozthunder]

True. I really, really wish BBK's weren't so freakin expensive. I've also never done pads myself, so i'm somewhat scared about that lol.

Suspension folks: Do sways come first, or springs/bushings?!

[NJGOAT]

Well, let me give you some quick advice on what to do. However, you really should be posting this over on LS1GTO.com if you need some real help.

The first and most important thing to replace on an '04 GTO are the brakes. The stock '04 brakes are completely worthless. I warped mine within 5k miles of having the car. I drive hard (lot's of high speed stops) but the brakes basically suck. I would recommend switching out at least the rotors and pads. Go with Powerslots or DBA's for rotors and Hawks or something similar for the pads. Also, make sure you replace the fluid with something more durable as the stock fluid tends to boil. I recommend the Valvoline synthetic brake fluid it's easy to find. The ultimate upgrade would be to find a set of '05/'06 brakes and swap them on. The swap can be done for about $450 for all the parts you need, $600 if you upgrade to stainless lines.

The suspension parts you listed (some Pedder's bushings and springs) will cost you significantly more than $800. Not to mention the install will most likely cost as much as the parts themselves. However, you are on the right track with this. The main bushings that you want are: front radius rod, strup top bushing and bearing, rear cross member and rear diff insert. You should also look into getting a Harrop cover to stiffen up the rear and help with deflection/wheel hop. If you get a Harrop cover, it will come with the rear diff insert, so you will not need that. After those basic bushings the biggest failure on the GTO is that it is under sprung. Basically the springs are too soft for the weight of the car. Pedder's offers the largest variety of springs, but there are plenty of other options. I could tell you what I like, but you really need to research. Some things to be mindful of when choosing springs are what future mods you will have. If you lower too much you will have to cut/roll your fenders for tire/wheel clearance. Also, if you are going LT's, then you may have steering rack interference if you lower it too much.

After that the car should be setup nicely to handle some extra power. LT's (especially catted ones) and a tune will not get you 350whp, probably closer to a little over 340. LS1's like to breath and LT's are a solid first mod. However, you need to remember that the true power of a LS1 lies in the cam. Start your power modding research by looking into cams and pick a good all around street cam. You can then plan the rest of your mods to match the needs of that cam.

Hope this helped...PS Don't forget the tires, they are the biggest bang for the buck when it comes to handling.

[DaveSTi]

Originally Posted by onebadgoat9286

True. I really, really wish BBK's weren't so freakin expensive. I've also never done pads myself, so i'm somewhat scared about that lol.

Suspension folks: Do sways come first, or springs/bushings?!

use sways to dial out body roll and increase your roll stiffness, springs to increase wheel rate.

having driven a GTO, I'd go with sways first. The thing likes to roll pretty badly in stock form.

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by onebadgoat9286

True. I really, really wish BBK's weren't so freakin expensive. I've also never done pads myself, so i'm somewhat scared about that lol.

Suspension folks: Do sways come first, or springs/bushings?!

Your asking car specific questions on a generic car forum. When it comes to suspension every car is unique in it's needs. Read my post above for some good info, but PLEASE go to LS1GTO and do some research. You can waste a lot of time and money on parts that may not be right. Nothing against TST, but there aren't many GTO people here. Also, swing by a CI meet on Sunday in Cherry Hill, we always have a bunch of GTO guys there.

As for your question, the GTO does not necessarily need sways depending on the route of your suspension build. However, I would do springs and shocks/struts before I touched the sways. Many GTO owners are just happy stiffening up the stock sways with urathane bushings vs. swapping the whole thing.

[ozthunder]

Originally Posted by NJGOAT

Well, let me give you some quick advice on what to do. However, you really should be posting this over on LS1GTO.com if you need some real help.

The first and most important thing to replace on an '04 GTO are the brakes. The stock '04 brakes are completely worthless. I warped mine within 5k miles of having the car. I drive hard (lot's of high speed stops) but the brakes basically suck. I would recommend switching out at least the rotors and pads. Go with Powerslots or DBA's for rotors and Hawks or something similar for the pads. Also, make sure you replace the fluid with something more durable as the stock fluid tends to boil. I recommend the Valvoline synthetic brake fluid it's easy to find. The ultimate upgrade would be to find a set of '05/'06 brakes and swap them on. The swap can be done for about $450 for all the parts you need, $600 if you upgrade to stainless lines.

The suspension parts you listed (some Pedder's bushings and springs) will cost you significantly more than $800. Not to mention the install will most likely cost as much as the parts themselves. However, you are on the right track with this. The main bushings that you want are: front radius rod, strup top bushing and bearing, rear cross member and rear diff insert. You should also look into getting a Harrop cover to stiffen up the rear and help with deflection/wheel hop. If you get a Harrop cover, it will come with the rear diff insert, so you will not need that. After those basic bushings the biggest failure on the GTO is that it is under sprung. Basically the springs are too soft for the weight of the car. Pedder's offers the largest variety of springs, but there are plenty of other options. I could tell you what I like, but you really need to research. Some things to be mindful of when choosing springs are what future mods you will have. If you lower too much you will have to cut/roll your fenders for tire/wheel clearance. Also, if you are going LT's, then you may have steering rack interference if you lower it too much.

After that the car should be setup nicely to handle some extra power. LT's (especially catted ones) and a tune will not get you 350whp, probably closer to a little over 340. LS1's like to breath and LT's are a solid first mod. However, you need to remember that the true power of a LS1 lies in the cam. Start your power modding research by looking into cams and pick a good all around street cam. You can then plan the rest of your mods to match the needs of that cam.

Hope this helped...PS Don't forget the tires, they are the biggest bang for the buck when it comes to handling.

Well I just got all of my answers..lol

Do you have any Pedders stuff done? What would the cost really be?

As per tires..whats the biggest I can run on the stock 17's? And what tire would you recommend?

I research a lot in LS1gto.com, its just a matter I wanted opinions of people i've seen lol. That place can also be a bitch to search and get a straight answer..

[NJGOAT]

Originally Posted by DaveSTi

use sways to dial out body roll and increase your roll stiffness, springs to increase wheel rate.

having driven a GTO, I'd go with sways first. The thing likes to roll pretty badly in stock form.

The roll in the GTO is caused by it being under sprung. Swap springs and it will tighten right up. Going to sways first on a GTO is like putting a band aid on a gaping wound.

[CleanNeon98]

PM sent about the brake pads..if you want to bring the car here and buy food il help you through the install