Banski Rear Suspension Impressions

[pantera1683]

Earlier this year I replaced all of the rubber bushings in the front with polys. I also replaced the rear sway bar mounts, endlinks, and spring mounts. As a result, the front of the car felt really smooth over bumps but the rear still needed attention.

With this in mind, I ordered Banski's complete rear end kit. I completed the install a couple weeks ago and I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with the quality and workmanship of their kit. It consisted of the toe rod assembly, strut rods, and trailing arms. Installation was simple and straightforward and took me a about 8 hours from start to finish. I took my time and thankfully there weren't any surprises.

After driving the Z every day since the installation I am ecstatic with the results. The first thing I noticed is how well and easily the suspension articulated. By jouncing each rear corner of the car, I could see the shocks working as tey were intended without any resistance in travel. Before, I tried to avoid every bump or rut in the road because of the rattles and harshness. Now, she rides smooth over bumps and the rattles are pretty much gone. I would say the ride now is almost as smooth as a new car's.

Bottom line is I recommend the Banski kit. If you are considering upgrading your rear suspension you should look into their kit.

Here is a link to Banski's website with pictures and prices Banski Suspension Kit (http://www.banskimotorsports.com/C4_Rear_Suspensioin.html)

[DaveK]

Thanks for the write up. Out of interest what did you go with on the front?

Dave

[mgbrv8]

Any pictures of the installation and end result?

Dave

[pantera1683]

I went with Energy Suspension's black polys on the front. The only rubber suspension items I have on the car now are the power steering rack bushings and the batwing mounts.

I didn't take any photos on the installation but once I wash her I will take some. I also used lowering bolts in the rear so my wheel gap is only about two inches and looks :cool:.

[tomtom72]

I would like to say Thank You also for sharing this with the Brotherhood!:handshak:

I was thinking about their stuff for this winter. I did the front over last winter & the Tech said that my rear stuff was still okay in that there was nothing torn up or worn out from age yet. So he told me to save the money for now.

I was thinking of using Banski's stuff plus DRM's relocation brackets for the Dog Bones. Anyway, thanks for your info on their products. The stuff looked to be quality, and the reasoning seemed logical....the only thing holding me back was the cash.....maybe next winter.

Thanks again for sharing!:thumbsup:

:cheers:
Tom

[pantera1683]

Tom,

I contacted Tom Urban the owner of Banski back in November and asked if he would run a sale for the holidays and he said that he didn't plan to but he did offer to price match one of his competitors, which was a significant discount. Email him and maybe he can do the same for you.

The more I drive the Z the more I am impressed with the rear suspension. It really does make driving a pleasure. My car only has 37k pampered miles so the suspension was far from worn. I now realize the stiff suspension and rattles must have been attributed to my car's 16 year old petrified rubber suspension pieces. Now that the rear suspension can work as intended the car drives almost as smooth as my old 01 ZO6. It still feels like a sports car but now I don't have to go out of my way to avoid road imperfections.

Like yours my rear suspension looked fine but you would not believe the night and day difference in driving the car now.

I didn't mention before but I also installed the Seals-It rod end boots since my car is basically a daily driver. They were a pain to install but well worth the effort to keep the dirt out and extend the life of the rod end bearings.

When I took the car in for alignment the tech was pretty impressed with the kit and said it was extremely easy to align. It only took him about half an hour.

[DaveK]

Sounds like a good upgrade - thanks for sharing the information and your impressions. I have similar problems with rattle and the stiffness in my car and also avoid the road imperfections (which we have a LOT of around here!) - definitely one to add to the list by the sound of it. :thumbsup:

[HIZNHRZ]

he did offer to price match one of his competitors, which was a significant discount.

My ZR-1 is also low mileage. Although it rides fine I've had a problem I've been unable to correct with the rear end ride heigth. My next approach was going to be to rebuild the back end suspension using Banski parts. It's nice to hear the Banski parts have turned out well for you. Would you mind sharing the commetitors name and product talked with Banski about?

Thanks.

[pantera1683]

Sure, the competitor was Vette Brake and Products and the product is the complete rear end kit with racing rod ends.

[VetteMed]

Damn, I paid full price for my Banski rear setup earlier in the fall. Figures :(

[tomtom72]

Yes, I hear you about the "well, the rubber still looks good" trap.....not bad mouthing the Tech I had do my front over in any way either. The tech was trying to be honest & prevent me spending cash needlessly. I understand what your experience is teaching the rest of us. I thank you for the effort to continue this discussion and help us all with what you learned.:handshak:

Also, it's nice to know that the guys at Banski are approachable. I was doing my comparo's of VB&P vs DRM vs Banski off of list prices and what I thought I was getting for my cash. I was going over to Dick Gulstrand's site also and look around to see what they had to offer too. After my research I had DRM's brackets + Banski's entire kit and maybe some Heim joints from Dick's site on my parts list.....than reality set in!:sign10:

Did you do the bat wing mounts also? I know that's a dumb Q on the surface, but in my case I have no place to work so I have to plan my projects in terms of what labor I can afford at any given time vs what I might be able to do in my parking space quickly.:mrgreen:

:o I know I talk too much & if I'm being a PIA just tell me to shut up! I do thank you for sharing the light!

:cheers:
Tom

[RICKYRJ1]

Yes, I hear you about the "well, the rubber still looks good" trap.....not bad mouthing the Tech I had do my front over in any way either. The tech was trying to be honest & prevent me spending cash needlessly. I understand what your experience is teaching the rest of us. I thank you for the effort to continue this discussion and help us all with what you learned.:handshak:

Also, it's nice to know that the guys at Banski are approachable. I was doing my comparo's of VB&P vs DRM vs Banski off of list prices and what I thought I was getting for my cash. I was going over to Dick Gulstrand's site also and look around to see what they had to offer too. After my research I had DRM's brackets + Banski's entire kit and maybe some Heim joints from Dick's site on my parts list.....than reality set in!:sign10:

Did you do the bat wing mounts also? I know that's a dumb Q on the surface, but in my case I have no place to work so I have to plan my projects in terms of what labor I can afford at any given time vs what I might be able to do in my parking space quickly.:mrgreen:

:o I know I talk too much & if I'm being a PIA just tell me to shut up! I do thank you for sharing the light!

:cheers:
Tom

Tom, my garage is always open for you. If it is a weekend job you can stay the nite or take one of my cars home. Let me know what you need. :handshak:

[pantera1683]

Tom,

Pain in the rear, are you kidding? This is what the brotherhood is all about :-D.

I didn't do the Batwing bushings only because from what I've read it didn't seem like it was worth the effort. However, if I ever have the Batwing off for any other reason I will change them. The same goes for the power steering bushings.

[pantera1683]

Tom,

You're in Mt. Vernon? Man, the roads up there are terrible. You will truly love the Banski's driving on those roads.

[tomtom72]

:o This is corny but you guys know that quote "it's not the car, it's the people.."

Well I truly believe our club, our Brotherhood is as good an example of that quote as you could possibly find anywhere. :cool:

Rick, thanks man! I'm gonna start reworking the ZR-1 operating budget proposal for 2011 right now! I was looking at the FSM & the picts over at Banski....not to be a wise guy, but Banski's kit looks pretty straight forward to install. I figure 8 hrs and then a wheel alignment and I'm dunn!

Pantera, That's a big huge 10-4 on the roads up here! They sometimes resemble goat paths at the worst of times, and at best they can be kind of okay....as long as you can dodge the pot holes & the asphalt pebbles!...oh, I forgot the steel construction plates too! :censored: Plus there are just too many darn cars that get in the way too!

thanks guys!

[GOLDCYLON]

Just purchased the trailing arms. Need to get mine back to the ZF-DOC which were loaner set. Thanks for the post up and lead

[GOLDCYLON]

Update trailing arms delivered. Nice looking product. I saved $40 in a price match with the other vendor that "Kris" mentioned vise Banksi. I forgot to order the boot covers but have placed an order for those as well. Now that the ZFDOCs 89 Wide body LS1 powered vette is running again we will do the swap in a few weeks. Again thanks for the lead Kris

[tomtom72]

Okay I have my flame suit on.....I was looking over the banski and VB&P stuff with the spherical ends.

Banski's stuff has no grease fittings; but has covers. VB&P has grease fittings; but no covers that I could find.

Banski's stuff has a better adjustment locking system than VB&P jam nut deal.

Some of the sockets on the VB&P stuff looks to be a bit bigger than the Banski sockets...I'm defining "sockets" as the sphere holder. :o

The VB&P camber rods (they call them strut rods :confused:) come with what look to be DRM relocation brackets. The DRM brackets move the attachment point on the diff to a position that allows for more resistance to camber change thru the vertical movement of the tire, DRM's words not mine.

I sent an e-mail to VB&P asking some questions about the brackets.

I'm leaning in Banski's direction. It's just I like the grease fitting idea also, I think? I was going to spring for the DRM camber rod and trailing arm brackets anyway because I think they would help even on the street....the way I corner...sometimes...:o

Any thoughts?
:cheers:
Tom

[pantera1683]

The Banski's don't require greasing because the bearings they use are teflon lined.

[tomtom72]

The Banski's don't require greasing because the bearings they use are teflon lined.

Thanks....if I had looked enough I would have seen that! I was getting cross-eyed going from one site to the other.

I will mull this over. I'm going to either call Banski or e-mail them to see what they would still be willing to do with their price.

I wonder how long the teflon will last if you buy the covers? Sometimes I think I think too much!:blahblah:

[rhipsher]

If you like it now then you'll really like it when your entire suspension is polyed. Including bat wing and steering rack. The steering and handling response is fantastic. I went with the Prothane poly kit for $200 front and rear. The only part that was a pain was doing the steering rack and the bat wing. But I also installed Mooge inner/outter tie rod ends also which were $250. All vibrations are gone at any speed. And when I say any speed you guys know me and going fast. I mean ANY SPEED. Makes me wonder if coil overs will really make much of a difference now.