97 brake/suspension upgrade. update pics pg3 may 22b

Well the time has come to take care of the suspension on the Riviera. Here is what I have planned

97 Spindle/Knuckle upgrade
New strut mounts
97 Front struts
Wbodystore GP GXP brakes
Front Control arm bushings.
Eibach STS springs
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Rear shocks and sway bar links are already new.
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Now my question is... Is there any accessories I need also. I.e. strutmounts, strut bearings, diffrent size bolts, etc...

I just ant a check list so that when I take it apart I am not scrambling to get a part I need.

Any and all help is " GREATLY " apprecaited.

Thanks guys

Guess I must be good then.

gota give some time to answer...jeez

especially if our help is only "greatly" appreciated. is there some fine print involved in our responses?? :razz:

are the GXP brakes the 13" package they offer?

do you have a 97 right now? strut top mounts wouldnt be a bad idea since you are going to take it all apart anyways. i didnt have the money when i did my struts and now i think i need new mounts/bearings.
if it were me i would get the entire setup from a 98 riv.

strut top mounts 98/99 (the complete assemble with bearings)
KBY GR-2 98 struts
STS springs
STB if you dont already have it
big brake kit and wheels large enough to fit those rotors and calipers.
LCA bushing (what make you think you need them?)

sounds like a good setup to me (i want all those mods too, but $$ is tight )

keep in mind you may need to get longer brake lines with that kit.

2nd going with the 98-99 stuff so you can use the GR-2's

I wish we could get custom springs made.

I think the W Body Store 13" brake kit comes with longer lines.

I don't know if it's worthwhile to upgrade to 13" though, extra rotating mass and all. I was flipping through some old Motor Trends the other day and FWIW 12" is bigger than what most cars, even performance cars, had back in the day. The 911 was the only car I could find with nearly 12" brakes. Camaro and Mustang were 11"

i have to agree with Jack on the rotor size. 12" is plenty of stopping power. 12" f-body calipers mated with quality pads/rotors and the tires are the next limiting factor, not surface area of rotor IMO.

I bought the W-body store kit in christmas so Im stuck LOL. Are you guys sure the 98 spindles will work with the 96 control arms? I thought the control arms changed in 98 to a diffrent design.

the 17" rims in my sig Should fit the brake kit.
STB check (I also have one more to make a rear STB like Jack the R pointed out)


LCA bushings looked bad when I had the car on the lift ( car has 176.000 rough miles on it )


Thanks for the help guys

what year is your car? <---- would help to have that in your sig btw

1996 like yours

then you will need the 97+ knuckles sorry, i thought you had a 97. you can get KYB's for 96's so scratch my comment about swapping things over to the 98 stuff.
so to revise my previous post:

strut top mounts for a 96
KBY GR-2 for 96
STS springs
big brake kit from WBS
LCA bushing
5 pt harness to keep you from breaking your rib cage when you hit the brakes for the first time ;lol:

Mr.Riviera wrote:

i have to agree with Jack on the rotor size. 12" is plenty of stopping power. 12" f-body calipers mated with quality pads/rotors and the tires are the next limiting factor, not surface area of rotor IMO.

Is there any way of knowing how much tire it takes to make use of a given brake size?

Mr.Riviera wrote:

then you will need the 97+ knuckles sorry, i thought you had a 97. you can get KYB's for 96's so scratch my comment about swapping things over to the 98 stuff.
so to revise my previous post:

strut top mounts for a 96
KBY GR-2 for 96
STS springs
big brake kit from WBS
LCA bushing
5 pt harness to keep you from breaking your rib cage when you hit the brakes for the first time ;lol:

After I find out if Bonneville GXP rear brakes will bolt up to our cars, will I purchase a five point harness.

Update


ordered

97 shocks
97 shock mounts
Eibach sts lowerig springs

Teaser Pic!

are those 13" rotors? Lookin good!

Look like 12" to me. What brand are they?

Raybestos 12.7 Inch rotor.




I rounded up to 13

oldsman105 wrote:

Raybestos 12.7 Inch rotor.




I rounded up to 13

AA ! In your face!

Wow, now there's some stopping power!

you can now get KYBs for the '98 via RockAuto.com. I did - quite pleased.

12.7" rotors look nice. F-body calipers?

Albertj

The calipers are from a Grandprix GXP.

Any plans to upgrade the rear brakes?

Yes. I am currently researching rear calipers from the following cars


PARK AVENUE 2003 - 2005
CADILLAC 2000 - 2005 DEVILLE 1998 - 2004 SEVILLE
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE GXP 2004 - 2005

From what I have found so far they have larger rear rotors to our cars

The cars above are G-body or Nearly identical in every way. I am assuming based on looking at the rear calipers on the rivera and how they are secured. That the only way these car have bigger rotors is from a diffrent caliper (the rear spindles are probably the same on all the cars) I am hoping to go to the junkyard in several weeks to measure the rear calipers on at least the cadillacs ( easiest to find) hopefully if they measure right and look like they will bolt up. I'll take them right off the car at the junkyard.

Ok guys Like Aaron asked earlier.


What color would you paint the calipers.



I would not like bright colors. Any and all suggestions appreicated.

oldsman105 wrote:

Ok guys Like Aaron asked earlier.


What color would you paint the calipers.

have them dipped in chrome


or just paint them red and be done!

Gloss black.