Suspension Upgrade??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Cave Creek AZ
Suspension Upgrade??
My 96 has the FE1 (I believe) soft ride suspension. I measured the stock sway bars. They're 24mm front and rear. Too soft for me. I'd like to firm things up a little to improve the handling performance. I'm not going to race the car. It's just for street use. But I still want it to handle well when I need it to.
I don't want to get into replacing the springs if I can avoid it. I've installed the camber brace to stiffen the front end.
I believe that replacing the shocks and the sway bars will give me what I want. But I'd like the opinion of the forum.
What shocks would you recommend and who is the best source for new sway bars?
:)
I don't want to get into replacing the springs if I can avoid it. I've installed the camber brace to stiffen the front end.
I believe that replacing the shocks and the sway bars will give me what I want. But I'd like the opinion of the forum.
What shocks would you recommend and who is the best source for new sway bars?
:)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 1
From: Drive it Like You Hate it Cincinnati OH
Re: Suspension Upgrade?? (lead_foot)
I'm the same boat as you. I hear hat that 18carfan can et gm bars pretty cheap. I think either 90 or 91 Z07 orZ51 are the ones to get. I'm still undecided on shocks...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Suspension Upgrade?? (lead_foot)
I've installed the Z07 swaybars (30mm solid front, 26mm solid rear) along with poly bushings for the swaybars, made a big difference. After switching the rear bushings to poly (when I changed the rear gear) a switched the shocks to the HAL/Q1A adjustable shocks. Best source for bars is Jeff or Dal, I bought my bushings from DRM, not a bad price, but somebody else may be cheaper.
Eric
Eric
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,154
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Re: Suspension Upgrade?? (lead_foot)
Order a catalog from VetteBrakes & Products, they have all the suspension stuff youll ever want.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Cave Creek AZ
Re: Suspension Upgrade?? (vader86)
ttt
I took a look at VBP web site. The sell a 26mm rear sway bar and a 32mm front one. I remember seeing in one of the forum threads a commnet that a 32mm front sway bar was too big and would cause over steer. Most people seem to use 30mm front and 26mm rear.
Any more comments anyone?
:)
I took a look at VBP web site. The sell a 26mm rear sway bar and a 32mm front one. I remember seeing in one of the forum threads a commnet that a 32mm front sway bar was too big and would cause over steer. Most people seem to use 30mm front and 26mm rear.
Any more comments anyone?
:)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Suspension Upgrade?? (lead_foot)
I've got 275 size tire all around and the 30/26 combo my Vette is very nuetral with throttle induced oversteer, perfect IMHO. If you have the 255/285 tires, the 32mm bar is just going to make your car understeer even more than the tire combo already causes. IMHO, the 32mm front makes no sense for any tire combo. I don't understand VBP's idea of handling, they sell real stiff springs and that big front bar. Not what I want for the street.
Eric
Eric
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Cave Creek AZ
Re: Suspension Upgrade?? (silver & red CE)
ttt
OK. I'm going to replace the sway bars with the 30/26mm combination.
Any thoughts on shocks? Bilstein has a set at about $305. Koni has a set at about $560.
Are the Koni's really worth the difference?
HALs are way out of my price range.
:)
OK. I'm going to replace the sway bars with the 30/26mm combination.
Any thoughts on shocks? Bilstein has a set at about $305. Koni has a set at about $560.
Are the Koni's really worth the difference?
HALs are way out of my price range.
:)
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Re: Suspension Upgrade?? (silver & red CE)
I've installed the Z07 swaybars (30mm solid front, 26mm solid rear) along with poly bushings for the swaybars, made a big difference. After switching the rear bushings to poly (when I changed the rear gear) a switched the shocks to the HAL/Q1A adjustable shocks. Best source for bars is Jeff or Dal, I bought my bushings from DRM, not a bad price, but somebody else may be cheaper.
Eric
Eric
The bars aren't that expensive, if you shocks are OK do them first.
If not get the shocks first ( Bilsteins if you short on $$$ ) but I love being able to dial in my HALs! :cheers:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: Suspension Upgrade?? (lead_foot)
...Koni has a set at about $560.
Are the Koni's really worth the difference?
HALs are way out of my price range.
:)
Are the Koni's really worth the difference?
HALs are way out of my price range.
:)
Eric