Need Opinions...

[edubs]

So I'm at an impasse. Trying to prioritize and keep going back and forth. Maybe someone can help me decide. Please try and bare with me because I am all over the place...

So, there are three things I really need on my car right now. One of which I've already bit the bullet so there's no going back...

1) Brakes - Already bought new rotors, lines, pads and fluid.
2) Tires - Current General Exclaims at 5/32's front - 4/32's rear.
3) Suspension - Currently on Stock LSJ FE5 (43K) and Sportlines (10k)

I have not put my car on an alignment rack since I've had my sub-frame dropped for the motor build. So I can guarantee I need an alignment.

Now...I work at a dealership so I can get the alignment relatively cheap, but I still have to pay a technician under-the-table after hours for their time/expertise/help. I obviously need an alignment before getting new tires, which I need. I will also obviously have to get an alignment after replacing suspension, which I don't necessarily need yet but will in the not-so-distant future. I do NOT have the money to purchase suspension and tires all at once because I just dropped $400 on rotors, pads, lines and fluid for all four corners, which I needed the most.

Now, I can get brand new 225/4518 Eagle F1's for $99/ea from my Mazda dealership cause they can't get rid of them and their manager is willing to hook me up to get rid of them. Tires would be very, very nice right meow...but that would mean I'm going to end up paying for two alignments in the next 6 months or so because it won't be too long before I can afford the suspension. This also depends on what suspension I actually settle on, because I'm contemplating settling for 08+ FE5 due to price and just keeping the Sportlines, even though I know I should upgrade to Pedders. That being said, if I'm going to spend the money on Pedders, I might as well spend the money on Koni Yellows. But then I think maybe I should just buy Yellow's for the rear and get the FE5 fronts regardless of what spring I settle on...

...and now you all know why I don't ask a lot of questions on the forums. Because I'm all over the freaking place and can't freaking make up my mind. Now, I do work at a Chevy dealership, so I can get good prices on stuff, but I usually contact Greg/Tom at CED to check because they can sometimes get me a better deal even after shipping (gotta love CED).

So...thoughts...

[edubs]

BTW, I will be trying to get my car on a road course in the next year when this is all done. Nothing competitive yet. First time will hopefully be a novice weekend course at Sebring. I want to get into it more over the next few years and hopefully earn my open track license. From there, who knows, but I'm really eager to start getting some experience. Whether I take it from hobby to competitive is unknown at this point...

[Deathscythe]

well, for starters, you have to know that the sportlines aren't going to help you out the way you'd want them to, especially if you plan to play on the Sebring track.

And if you have a connect that you can pay to get alignments done for less than the regular, do it as you know you need to.

[USMCFieldMP]

The Eagle F1's aren't too bad. 225/45 is a bit tall though... that's what my Yokohama's were, and on Sportlines, I had a decent bit of rub in the back if there was someone sitting back there, or if the bump was big enough (and they didn't need to be that big, either). If you are looking for tires that handle the twisties well, the Dunlop Star Spec is tits. I run them on my GTI and they're head and shoulders better than the Falken RT-615's that were on there.


For the suspension... do it right the first time... or don't do it at all. Pedders and FE5 is a tits set-up. If you want the Koni's... then get the Koni's instead... but you'll be perfectly fine with the FE5 set-up. In fact, I wouldn't go with the Koni's unless you are getting serious with your tracking.

[Deathscythe]

Rob is right about suspension.

I've had both the konis and fe5 on my car and the fe5 is great to have.

Konis were great as well, but unless you know exactly how you want them, they won't serve their real purpose fully.

[edubs]

That's the thing, everything is a grey area for me. Who knows how long before I get serious with tracking, if at all.

Typo on the tires, btw. They're 225/40's. Anywho, if I don't buy the F1's I won't be buying tires right now, because I can't get Star Specs or RS-3's (my main two choices) for anywhere near that price. The F1's are definitely not my best choice, but freaking $99/tire is cheaper than I paid for the General Exclaims.

There's a guy selling Pedders/FE5 on .nub right now for $400 shipped. If I can get him down to $350 picked up, I may make the drive over to West Palm on a day off and pick them up. Just not sure if that's worth it for them with two years wear. Springs prob make it worth it though, cause it's not like they're gonna perform any different from when they came out of the box.

[Deathscythe]

I love the rs-3 tires. I will have those for the totdv3 this year.

If the stuff is legit I'd get it and call it a day.

[edubs]

What are the part #'s on 08+ FE5 again?

I can see part #'s on the shocks in his pics. Would want to confirm before paying, cause I really don't want to pay for the same ♠♠♠♠ I already have as far as shocks/struts.

[Deathscythe]

I don't remember off hand, but look on ced.com. YOu'll find it all there.

[doogie_13]

If you're tires before suspension, get an alignment both times. If you put your new tires on first, and pass on the align, they'll wear unevenly (i.e camber) then when you install the suspension pieces, which you'll get an alignment after, it still won't be dead on if you've got cam wear. I'd say do chassis first, then get tires after. just my 2¢

[edubs]

If you're tires before suspension, get an alignment both times. If you put your new tires on first, and pass on the align, they'll wear unevenly (i.e camber) then when you install the suspension pieces, which you'll get an alignment after, it still won't be dead on if you've got cam wear. I'd say do chassis first, then get tires after. just my 2¢

LOL

Kinda already covered the fact that I'll need two alignments if I get tires first. I do agree that I'm leaning towards doing suspension, especially if I can get FE5/pedders for $400 or less...

[doogie_13]

That would be one hell of a deal. You must be looking at 'previously enjoyed' parts then?

[Deathscythe]

LOL

Kinda already covered the fact that I'll need two alignments if I get tires first. I do agree that I'm leaning towards doing suspension, especially if I can get FE5/pedders for $400 or less...

look at the site to see what the going rate for that equipment is.

[edubs]

Yeah, they're two years old, which makes the shocks/struts 4 years newer than my current ones. The good part about the deal is the springs. Age shouldn't really matter with springs, and those things will cost $400 shipped alone brand new...

[edubs]

look at the site to see what the going rate for that equipment is.

CED is probably the best deal for FE5/Pedders new and best deal I can remember from them is $600 shipped. I haven't seen many FE5/Pedders combos sell used so I'm not sure what the going rate is for used kits...

[USMCFieldMP]

$400 shipped for it all used is a great deal, imo... depending on mileage.

Age shouldn't really matter with springs...

It does with Sportlines. Mine were some saggin' old grannies when I sold them.

[edubs]

Bought two year old (mileage unknown) SS/TC FE5/Pedders combo for $380/shipped...

...Works for me. Looks like Monday after work I'm doing suspension, brakes and alignment on the rack.

[qwikredline]

good. alignment is toe only. u can do it with a tape measure set it to zero. level ground. ez measure front measure back from same point on tire should be equal u be good.

[edubs]

We'll see if I can sell my FE5/Sportline combo for enough to buy end links...

[edubs]

good. alignment is toe only. u can do it with a tape measure set it to zero. level ground. ez measure front measure back from same point on tire should be equal u be good.

John, here's a ?

I do have the Ingall's camber kit still in a box. That something worth introducing or just a bad idea for the suspension?