Rear shocks are Bilstein ASN with 70mm 6" Swift main springs and Swift helper springs. Swift thrust sheets are utilized at all the spring contact points. A simple adapter keeps the upper spring seated and centered within the oem top mounts and heim spacers for the lower eye mount complete the basic install. With a race ready ride height, rear suspension travel and range of adjustability appear to be very good.
Front struts are Bilstein B8 with 2.5" ID Swift springs and Swift thrust sheets with planned use of tender or helper springs. The struts are oem length and Todd's camber plates mount to the underside of the strut towers which creates a problem with ride height and suspension travel. Just over an inch was removed from the internal strut bump stops, but the assembly is still too long for the ride height I am trying to achieve.
There are a few ways to solve this problem. One is to shorten the internal strut and strut housing, which is an expensive and complicated procedure. Two is to machine the strut stem to eliminate the 'step' and allow the strut to rise higher into the top mount. Third is to use alternate camber plates that mount to the top of the strut tower instead of below it. The least expensive and most simple current solution is to use option number three which could gain up to 2" of travel over the current configuration. Will that be enough? Maybe a combination of option 2 & 3?
Of course there is another option; buy 8611 DA Koni inserts and start over. If the internet chat rooms are to be believed, the 'race' koni strut inserts are short enough to use Todd's camber plates and maintain a low ride height. Major drawback is the strut tower prevents top strut adjustment when set at max caster.
Todd's camber plates are preferred because they give alot of caster which relates to great dynamic camber, but because they need to mount underneath you lose valuable travel unless the struts are very short or a stock ride height is preferred.
The Hotchkis camber plates are a top mount design no longer in production and difficult to find. The range of adjustment is not as good as Todd's, but suspension travel will be gained. Custom camber plates on the menu if used parts are not found.
Toe is also a major concern. Due to the steering arm location on the strut housing, maximum camber and caster settings at the strut tower can result in toe changes that cannot be corrected by using the standard tie rod ends. A delicate combination of ride height and top strut alignment settings can get toe back to zero. One or two pairs or camber bolts at the strut mounts can help the alignment issues without affecting toe.
On the lift, Yawsport installs new Mugen compliance bushings and Hardrace front control arm bushings. New NAPA lower ball joints are replaced too. Mugen also supplied upgraded motor mounts for the left, right, and front locations.
