What to do...

Some of you may have seen my thread about replacing my front suspension, and I've pretty much decided on what Im going with there. The question now is when should I do it? Money is going to be a little tight again this year, so it looks like Im only gonna be able to do one major project this winter. Hopefully I'll have the cash to finish both projects by early summer(May/June). Here's my choices,

A, Replace entire front suspension and continue to use the stock T-5 until I can afford a TKO.

B, Replace just the k-member and install a TKO setup.

C, Same as B, but swap out my sportlines for my stock springs...

My reasoning for each choice is A, I'm sick of the harsh ride with my sportlines. Im also 100% definitely changing the k-member this winter, and I would like to change everything in one shot. My T-5 is holding up just fine so far, and replacing the suspension will hopefully make the car enjoyable to drive all the time again, even if I have to go easy on it.
B, The transmission is definitely a higher priority than the suspension, as far as potentially broken parts goes. I allready broke one T-5, and I would hate to put a bunch of money into the suspension then break the transmission shortly after that.
C, Im tired of the harsh ride, and this seems like the easiest, cheapest fix.

My oil pan gasket is leaking bad, and Im definitely changine the k-member this year since I couldn't afford it last year. This is something I want done before I drive the car too much more, I really don't like driving it with oil leaking right onto the headers...Anyways, I have to disassemble the front suspension to change the k-member, and I would really like to only have to do that once.

The only reson I'm considering doing the suspension first is because of that oil leak. I'll have the motor out, so I will be installing the tubular k-member at that time. Seems like the perfect time to replace the other suspension parts. If it wasn't for that oil leak, I would go ahead with the TKO and change the suspension later.

Like I said, my T-5 is holding up just fine right now, just watch my burnout vid in my sig to see how good it's doing. I (think I) can restrain myself from breaking this one until I can afford a TKO. Also, I will be replacing whichever parts I don't change out now later this year, like early-mid summer, so it's not like I'll be using the T-5 all year again.

My main goal right now is to get that pleasant driving experience back, and that doesn't neccesarily mean driving the car to it's full potential. My car pisses me off everytime I drive it now, mainly because of the bucking/surging and the stiff ride. I guess driving brand new cars for over a year kinda spoiled me. LOL Anyways, I'll be getting the car tuned as soon as I get the oil leak fixed, so that's half the problem taken care of. Hopefully then I'll be able to drive it on a daily basis again.

Question, should I hold out for a TKO 600, or will an old TKO 3550 be OK?

Killercanary said:

I would not even concider a 3550 with your combo, the mainshaft is the same as the T5. The TKO, and newer TKO's all have a larger main shaft and with your torque you'll need it.

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I was talking about the TKO 3550, not the regular 3550. I think the older TKO would be ok to use, but Im gonna pass on this one I found and wait to see if I can find a good deal on a TKO 600. Might as well do it right the first time.

Dan, I've heard that some coil over setups are loud, .i.e. rattling and other noises. I don't know if this is based on the brand of coil overs, but I've heard it mostly happens with the cheaper kits. Im going with the MM coil overs so hopefully they'll be quiet. If not, well Im not too worried about it. My car aint exactly quiet, you know.