$2,500 and winter brake & suspension project plans

[Phoenix]

My longer term plan is to put a 2.7 RS spec motor in Phoenix by either building it myself or having it done (time, tool and patience issues). Although I had hoped to do this sooner rather than later, the reality is that it will take me over a year before I can serisously tackle this (financial issues).

In the interim, I'd like to address the "light and twitchy" feeling in the steering/ suspension feels and do something to minimize the brake fade felt during my last trip to Lime Rock.

If you had around $2,500 to spend on parts, what would you do?

Here's what I have now:

Suspension: turbo tie-rods and the original front and rear sway bars. As far as I can tell, no bushings have ever been replaced on the car.

Brakes: I have the original T calipers with relatively new pad, stainless steel lines and drilled rotors (about 8,000 miles and 3 driver's ed events on them). There is a very noticible pulsing when I brake under light loads, this is gone under heavy braking.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.... Oliver

[jpnovak]

I would go for a used Carrera brakeset and rotors, cooling ducts and good pads.

Then spend a chunk of change on seat time.

Then I would rebuild the entire suspension. Poly bushings are cheaper but will require more fit. Chuck's Elephant Racing bushings are very nice. then upgrade to larger torsion bars, 21/27 or 22/28.

All of these parts will be well within your budget, require a weekend to install and will increase the fun factor at the track while solving your problems.

[efhughes3]

I'd rebuild the suspension with Elephant bushings and new ball joints. Not hop it up, just redo it right. Then, I think seat time would be more beneficial as the car would be in good shape. Along with the brake job and turbo tie-rods and wheel bearings, of course.

[jmz]

carrera brake job obviously means new struts w/ the 3.5" strut spacing.

I am in the process of a susp. re-do myself. I should know in a couple weeks how it turns out.

basically for me, new struts, inserts, rear shocks, t-bars, elephant bushings, wheel bearings (fr and rear) carrera calipers w/ frozen slotted rotors, and ball joints.

struts/ shocks are HD/Sport combo. T-bars are 21 & 27 sanders bars.

...sway bars later, I am dreaming of SRP or Elephant Racing super trick sway bars.