81 sc coil over conversion
 

i have an 81 sc that i am going to use primarily for de, a/x, time trials . it is pretty stock now so iwas looking into upgrading suspension. while looking on tarett engineerings site i saw a coilover setup that uses your existing shocks. i beleive it was 650.00 for front and rear, less springs(they said springs are additional 75.00 each). new torsion bars are 690.00 frt.& rear my question is is it worth the extra money. i don't have an unlimited budget, but that was well within what i was planning for this project

The real advantages to coil-over conversions are:

1. You can run more spring rate that is available in T-bars.
2. Ride height is easily adjustable.

There are other costs involved though, primarily the reinforcing of the upper shock mounts because they are now carrying the weight of the car, whereas they were not before. Worth? Well that's really your call based on the reasons above.

You are treading on the edge of a very slippery slope. I know because I just started down that hill. Looking at the Tarett site, I think they may be reselling the products made by the person I'm dealing with, who was recommended by other Pelicanites. This is only based on the same pictures used to display products.

Clint Smith Rebel Racing Products

Since I had a Koni setup in my car, I had to buy more stuff. I would also suggest you change to the 935 style rear spring plates as well. I got the ones from Racers Edge. You also need to make sure your shocks are valved to work correctly with the spring rate you will be using. There is a whole lot more to this then just the conversion kits.

Before you jump, make sure you have everything taken into account to make sure you have them all budgeted for. By the time I get done with the shocks and springs, 935 spring plates, front spindle raising, all the little parts (bearings seals,etc), and chassis reinforcement, I figure I'll be between $3-4K. This does not include the aluminum banana arms I bought a few years ago. Call and talk to the vendor of your choice. Tell them exactly what you currently have and where you want to go, and they should be able to give you a complete list of the parts you will need to complete your project. For a street car with occasional track and DE usage, you should be able to get away for less money.

Cstreit is a great resource for information on doing this as well.

There was a great thread recently on the RSR rear shock reinforcements needed to support the rear coil-over setup.
RSR Rear Shocks

The rear reinforcements are more essential than the front. At the end of the day, it's very hard to imagine a coil conversion costing less than upgrading torsion bars.

RTFR, as well. That's always Step Zero. Changing the suspension as drastically as you will wind up doing by going to coil-overs will likely put you into the "cubic dollars" classes, which can be fun, but...

--DD

What are the class implications? Often going from t-bars to coilovers will push you into a much more prepared classification.