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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ What to start with

Posted by: newto914s Mar 16 2006, 08:58 PM

If you only had like $200-$300 to throw at your car, what would you start with? It runs fine, I just want to start making some upgrades, slowly.
Goals wize, very spirited daily driving, hopefully do some autocrossing this year, and down the road some track time(like a year or two)
What i've got
2.0 d-jet
KYB(Kill Your Back) shocks, around 30k miles old
#140 welt. springs(I think all the way around, definatly in the back)
165r15 Sears tires(with a lot of tread left)
No sway bars(I know, it's a 76 with no bars)
Thanks guys,
Samson

Posted by: anthony Mar 16 2006, 09:05 PM

1st sticky tires
2nd shocks (Bilstein or Koni)
3rd 19mm front sway bar (should be a good match if you do indeed have 140lb. rear springs)
4th turbo tie rods
5th refresh bushings if needed

(insert an alignment anywhere along the way if needed)

Posted by: TROJANMAN Mar 16 2006, 09:10 PM

tires
sway bar
shocks

Posted by: GS9146Driver Mar 16 2006, 09:11 PM

My daily fun machine is a '74 1.8 and what a difference it made to replace the 165SR15 Michelin XZX radials w/ Goodyear Eagle HP 195 65R15's. It has 100lbs. rear springs and no front sway bar and it was scary w/ those stock size treads. Now it still leans in hard turns, but it is much more predictable. I AX'd it last year, what a blast. The Goodyears I put on maintained the proper circumference so the speedo and rpm are still normal. Some guys like to put lower profile tires, but you will be turning more rpm for the same highway speed and the speedo will be off.
Later you could add a front swaybar to lessen the roll.
Good luck, George

Posted by: hybridhunter Mar 16 2006, 09:32 PM

Tires are always the first place to start for AX.

Posted by: Headrage Mar 16 2006, 09:41 PM

QUOTE (hybridhunter @ Mar 16 2006, 07:32 PM)
Tires are always the first place to start for AX.

But you'll be hard pressed to get a good set of tires for that price...

Posted by: newto914s Mar 16 2006, 11:41 PM

With mounting & shipping your right, probably closer to $400.
I would think for ride comfort shocks would come first. Koni yellows up front and a used stock Sway bar. Then for round two, before the AX, fork-up the cash for new rubber.
But maybe this is just my back speaking

Posted by: Dr. Roger Mar 17 2006, 01:07 AM

ebay has the 195 50 15's
kumho ecsta's for $46 ea.
toyo proxes for $60 ea.

Posted by: newto914s Mar 17 2006, 11:46 AM

Yea, I'm not sure how I feel about buying tires off Ebay. with tires I like to get the extra road hazard stuff. I've awoken to too many flats on new tires to not spend the extra couple of bucks

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 17 2006, 12:01 PM

best price I found for koni yellow is 175.00 ea at paragon ...but free shipping!!

Posted by: Spoke Mar 17 2006, 02:08 PM

QUOTE (newto914s @ Mar 17 2006, 12:46 PM)
Yea, I'm not sure how I feel about buying tires off Ebay. with tires I like to get the extra road hazard stuff. I've awoken to too many flats on new tires to not spend the extra couple of bucks

Try www.tirerack.com

Spoke

Posted by: jhadler Mar 17 2006, 02:31 PM

I think the progession is close....

But for me, I'd list the items in a slightly differnt order, given the condition of the car as stated.

1. Shocks. Doing anything else to the suspension with bad shocks will make it really difficult to see any real gains. The KYB's are definitely not the WORST shocks around, but my experience with them made me REALLY appreaciate good shocks when I got them. Litterally transformed the car. And unlike tires, which you'll have to replace on a regular basis, shocks are usually a one-time purchase.
2. Tires. After the shocks are done, you'll really be able to notice the difference in tires. Until then, the tires are just round rubber bands that you use to keep from denting your rims on potholes.
3. Sway Bar. A 19mm weltmeister would be just about right. And while it may not be the BEST design (like the Tarrett), it's perfectly good and functional, and cheaper. And used ones always seem to pop up...('cause the buy the tarrett...)
4. Bushings. That is, if they're not already shot. If they are, then replace them [B]first[\B]. If the suspension is moving around nothing else you do will make it any better. And as a matter of fact, if you have blown bushings, stiffening up the suspension will only make that problem MORE of a problem...

You can probably find a set of used Bilstiens or Konis for less than the cheapest market price... Heck, even the Boge's would be better than the KYB's... Man I -hated- those KYB shocks...

-Josh2

Posted by: ClayPerrine Mar 17 2006, 02:34 PM

Actually, I would recommend that you start with the nut that holds the steering wheel. Improve that until you can drive the current setup at the limit, THEN upgrade the car. And while you are upgrading the driver, you can save money to upgrade the car.