From the Beginning.......The Entire Documented build of Fastbird's T/A

[Fastbird]

So drove the car today. OMFG! There is an absolutely HUGE difference in the front end feel to the car. I've only got the shocks set at 6 clicks as a starting point and it's already more firm than the KYB's were (AGX Adjustables, they were set really light i.e. stockish). I can't wait to get the rears in now too, but am gonna wait so I can do everything at once.

[JPack]

On the street I run my Rears and fronts at 6. Best I love the way the car feels. I had to find a fine line between race car and street car and these make all the difference in the world. I can wrap it hard on the twisties and click click, ready for the strip. You will think you got a new car once the backs are on.

[bsgreenz]

Im thinking this is the way i want to go with the WS6 after some more mods this winter, if you wouldn't mind can you send me a PM with a list of parts and where you got them from.

[Fastbird]

Obligatory parts pron:



We have:

Rear QA1 Gen F shocks
Midwest Chassis Double Adjustable Offset LCA's
Founders Performance Relocation Brackets
Founders Performance double adjustable Panhard Bar

Pay no attention to the 3" 90* aluminum tube. I didn't get to that today.

This was actually a VERY easy job. But it took ALL DAMN DAY because I had to make a million trips to the damn store. I couldn't get the studs out of the stock decarbon shocks, so I had to hit the store after some research. Here's what I ended up with for the lower shock bolts:



Those are 5/8 x 3" grade 8 bolts, nuts, hardened washers, and lock washers. I wasn't thinking and had to make a second trip to the store because I initially thought "hey, just a washer on the back side at the head of the bolt" not giving thought to how the shock should be isolated from the actual clamping force of the bolt/stud like the stockers are set up. So I had to go back for a second pack of hardened washers and a second pair of nuts (no comments please, lol).

Here's how I set it up though, and I think it works great:



The 5/8 bolts are a VERY snug fit through the QA1 bushing (poly thank god) and it doesn't wiggle at all, so I shouldn't see any rattles or anything. The threaded part of the bolt is long enough to put some light clamping force on the bushing to keep things snug without distorting the bushing at all. There's enough room left on the 3" bolt to go through the relocation brackets and stock mount to end up just flush with the locking washer/nut combo at the back.



What I did have to do though was open up the stock mounting hole on the rear end. I have a Strange 12 bolt......fwiw. What I found actually worked perfectly since I couldn't find a 5/8" drill bit anywhere on a sunday (hence ANOTHER trip to the store) was a dremel sanding roll, placed to push through the hole, opens the hole up to almost exactly 5/8". Took a little time and a few sanding rolls, but worked like a champ.

Had no problems getting everything apart and back together otherwise. Had to lengthen the LCA's a bit but actually went a little too far, so hoping to get the car over the pit tomorrow at work and make some adjustments. Anyway, here's everything installed:







BOTH my damn axle seals are leaking, and I think my pinion is too. I'd like to pull the rear and do a complete rebuild on it (including moving to a 3.42 rear gear down from the 3.73's) but with no garage and winter coming....that ain't happening.

I started this today at about 9 AM and finished up at about 4 PM. Would have done the turbo pipe and spark plugs, but had two C6 line lock kits to get made instead. Realistically, if I'd been at the shop doing this with the right tools (specifically the 5/8 drill bit) and just making one trip to the store, I'd have had this done in about 2 hours start to finish. Really easy job.

No driving impressions (yet). Taking the car to work tomorrow. Have the rear shocks set at 6 clicks.......and DAMN that's stiff!!!! SHould be interesting drive in the AM.

[Fastbird]

Oh! Parts reviews:

The founders performance stuff is EXTREMELY impressive. The PHB ends are extremely true when threading the rod ends, no wiggle or oblong movement. Great powdercoat, nice welds, extremely good value for the money. The LCA Relocation brackets fit like an absolute champ. I only had to fight to get the lower shock mount bolt in and that was minimal, and due to the larger bolts I was using (the bracket holes were plenty big). Nice welds on the brackets, and unlike other companies, these are actually bent into shape and have a touched up corner at each bend, then a interior spacer welded in where the LCA bolts in. VERY VERY good pieces.

The Midwest Chassis LCA's are very nice also, really on par with Founders in quality EXCEPT one of the threaded ends on one of the LCA's wasn't welded true and has causes the rod end to have an elliptical movement when rotated. Something to keep my eye on. Good pieces still IMO for the money.

[Fixxer99TA]

Lookin good, I want QA1s

[popo8]

great write up man....





Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Chris]

So pretty! So glad I didnt lower my car before the shootout would have been a nightmare on the stock shocks I think considering I rub the tires already.

I recall having to open up holes when I did my panhand/lcas on my third gen along time ago just because the stock stuff is tapered iirc.

[RedRyder]

Looking good. Iv been wondering about the founders products. Thanks for the write up!!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[GreenZ96]

Funny seeing this, I got bored yesterday and pulled all my rear suspension parts to paint them all red. Parts were mismatched some black, red, orange, hammer tone.... Now at least they're all one color.