jeromio

GMC has made a AWD 4.3GN powered S-10 truck and S-10 Blazer for several years now. I think the current one is called a Typhoon. It uses the AWD that I believe is common to the Astrovan. Not sure if it's beefed up beyond that common app., but seems like those kinds of parts would be available in salvage yards. Also, these are all automatics, so, it's hard to say whether the mechanicals would adapt to the T56. Certainly seems like it would involve huge amounts of time and money to pull off though.

Certainly in my case I don't want to lower the car as much as possible. I merely want the flexibility to set the car up exactly how I want it ride-height and spring rate wise. I don't plan on using camber plates due to both the cost and the lack of rubber.

No, I haven't seen any of your info on coil overs. This bump travel warning was from EricZ in reply to a post I put up at zcar.com. It didn't really make sense to me, but, I have no experience with coilovers and he did, so.... Anyway, I think you guys have sufficiently re-assured me on this point that I'm going to proceed. I'm not planning on being too radical - most likely just 16" rims and only 1 inch lower than where the car sits now. It has a pretty mild L28/SU engine in it right now - my long term goal is to upgrade to L28 turbo. But that's so long term that it could definately change. I pretty much want to do the suspension once and be ready for whatever else I may decide to do with the driveline later. So now I just have to choose a vendor for the kit & springs.

Anybody have any info or opinions to offer on coilover conversions? I am completely re-doing my suspension - tearing it all apart and replacing everything but the tubes, arms and spindles. I am interested in the ride height adjustability as well as the increased clearance for wider wheels. So far one person has suggested that given 2 Z cars at the same height, the one with coilovers will have less suspension travel. Is this true?Also, people seem to keep saying that coilovers are a race car only kind of deal, but they don't really explain why. The car is a daily driver, but I am a tinkerer and I want performance. Plus, I don't like having to do things twice - as in, some people are saying just go with sport replacement springs and then go to coilovers if those don't cut it. But I'd rather take everything apart once. One thing I have learned from past projects is to do it right the first time - it sucks tearing down something that you've already worked on (and spent money on) to upgrade to the parts that should have been used in the first place. Also, I have heard good things about Ground Control - but is the extra expense worth it? Other vendors (MikeG and Arizona Z) sell conversion kits for substantially fewer dollars (40-50%). Thanks. ------------------ http://240Z.jeromio.com