Couple Simple Questions...
10-10-2002, 11:05 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Cleveland, OH...not by choice
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Couple Simple Questions...
Okay - call me lazy, but what size are our guages(sp?)? I want to change Speedometer, Tach, Oil Pressure, Fuel, Volt and Temp Guages. Also, what would be an acceptable set of Shocks and Struts for not too much money. Mine need to be changed, but I have so many things I need to pay for (still paying off some of engine swap, etc.). Thanks...
10-14-2002, 12:24 AM
#2
Supreme Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
You mean you want to take the gauges out of the current dash and put new ones in? Can't really be done; you're going to have to make a custom dash panel. All the gauges are built in to the dashboard; they're not separate "pods" like you'd buy from Autometer. If you do some searches (or post a message) on the Body/Interior boad, you can get quite a few cool pictures of actual home-made dashbaords using real Autometer gauges. They all look really impressive!!
As for shocks and struts, pretty much anything you buy will be better than what you've got now, especially if you're riding on the original units from 1989. No matter which one you go for, even if you get the cheapest, you'll notice a hell of an improvement. I think Summit is selling rear KYB shocks for $20 and front KYB GR-2 struts for $60. (Can get the KYB adjustable front struts, the AGX series, from Summit, for $100 each).
As for shocks and struts, pretty much anything you buy will be better than what you've got now, especially if you're riding on the original units from 1989. No matter which one you go for, even if you get the cheapest, you'll notice a hell of an improvement. I think Summit is selling rear KYB shocks for $20 and front KYB GR-2 struts for $60. (Can get the KYB adjustable front struts, the AGX series, from Summit, for $100 each).
10-14-2002, 07:02 PM
#3
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Halifax, NS,Canada
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1995 Z28
Engine: LT1
Transmission: Built 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23's - Limited Slip
Originally posted by TomP
No matter which one you go for, even if you get the cheapest, you'll notice a hell of an improvement. I think Summit is selling rear KYB shocks for $20 and front KYB GR-2 struts for $60. (Can get the KYB adjustable front struts, the AGX series, from Summit, for $100 each).
No matter which one you go for, even if you get the cheapest, you'll notice a hell of an improvement. I think Summit is selling rear KYB shocks for $20 and front KYB GR-2 struts for $60. (Can get the KYB adjustable front struts, the AGX series, from Summit, for $100 each).
10-14-2002, 07:30 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Morgantown, WV
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got the KYB shocks and struts over a year ago from Summit and have been happy with their performance (although I admit I know nothing about a true perfomance suspension). If you've never done it, replacing the stocks was really, really easy. I, however, let my alignment guy do the struts,
10-14-2002, 11:34 PM
#5
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: BFE, MD
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 13 Ram 1500/ 78 Formy
Engine: 5.7 / 7.4
Transmission: 6sp / TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.55 posi / 3.23
what's wrong w/struts 
I rmember laying on the ground & using both legs to kick the craftsman 2 1/2 foot 3/4" breaker bar 50 billion times on the drivers side to get those damn bolts to move, & then put a wrench on to actually remove the bolts wen broke loose. The pass side, I was hopping on that damn breaker bar , also another 50 billion times. Just make sure you don't remove the tie rod first Also a good time to do front break job.
I rmember laying on the ground & using both legs to kick the craftsman 2 1/2 foot 3/4" breaker bar 50 billion times on the drivers side to get those damn bolts to move, & then put a wrench on to actually remove the bolts wen broke loose. The pass side, I was hopping on that damn breaker bar , also another 50 billion times. Just make sure you don't remove the tie rod first
Also a good time to do front break job.
10-15-2002, 01:24 AM
#6
Supreme Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Yeah, torque spec for those front strut-to-spindle (aka steering knuckle) bolts is 180 ft/lbs!! My torque wrench only goes up to 150 ft/lbs. And fuhgetaboutit if you've ever jumped a curb with the car; the strut-to-spindle bolts could be BENT, and they'll barely turn at all. The nut will come off but you'll need to take a BFH (big f'in hammer, for those that haven't used one yet ) to the bolt to knock it out. And watch out for that spring so it doesn't fly free and kill ya!
) to the bolt to knock it out. And watch out for that spring so it doesn't fly free and kill ya! 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Pac J
Tech / General Engine
3
05-17-2020 10:44 AM
RedLeader289
Tech / General Engine
10
05-28-2019 01:47 PM