naterman35

what suspension parts are different what are the same? im wondering what they are i know springs but im clueless after that.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

well, from what i know: springs,swaybars,shocks,most likely alignment as well.

suspension makes or breaks a car and being the owner of both the 92 rs below and the 87 gta with ws6, i'd rather have an l03 in a ws6 car then an l98 in a fe1 or similar car, its that big of a difference. i don't even feel safe in the rs at speed, the gta feels like it's doin 60 at 100, it just sticks, period.
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ah i meant those are different. mostly all the hardware like lca's panhard, torque arm, all that is the same.

naterman35

ok because im looking to put iroc parts on my rs so springs,swaybars,and shocks are the only things i need to look into that are iroc.

ruiterman

I'm pretty sure that the rear springs are the same. The front springs and both front and rear sway bars are different.

I put new springs on my sons '89 RS and every place I looked, including the dealer showed the rear springs were the same.

The sway bars are visibly larger on the IROC compared to the RS. My '89 Formula with WS6 suspension is easy to compare to my sons RS.

Also the front springs are different which is easy to see from the stock ride height. The RS sits much lower in the front than the IROC and Formula WS6. I have actually heard (I have no confirmation on this) that cutting the IROC front springs, or getting 1" lowering springs makes the IROC ride height about the same as the RS ride height in the front.

I also agree with Rockit that the other parts are the same. Not sure about the alignment.

naterman35

That was the plan was iroc and cuttign them a half of a coil

joshh44

i just cut my springs like 2 weeks ago lol.
i took awhole ring out.
my friend who is a Camaro freak did it to his iroc. took one who link (ring) form the front and took 2 links from the back. and it lowwered his car 2 inches.
he told me that so i did it to my front springs and it looks so much nicer.
but i have an RS. so i think it may be abit to low haha.
i didnt know that RS springs were different then Irocs until reading this thread.

just some info if anyone plans on cuttin there springs. i tho maybe have to go buy a set cuz it may be sitting alittle to low.
it makes a harsh grinding type sound when i turn the wheel to sharp.

naterman35

hmm grinding sounds are never good... ive heard 1/2 coil equals about an inch. I just want to go an inch front and rear. I like the rake of my car i just want that but lower.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

for springs just get iroc replacements, look up sonix on the suspension boards i lie his method of suspensions setup

Jay

iTrader: (2)

This is kind of backwards. The RS should be higher than the IROC with both having stock and not worn/broken springs. The rear springs would be different as well. Checking with a dealer a this point is useless. Most of them are rather clueless on the cars beyond what the parts listings say... and at this point all the 3rd gen spring parts numbers are updated to 4th gen springs, which would explain why it came back as being the same. The 4th gen springs are taller and lighter than the NNL 3rd gen springs which are typical of the IROC and WS6.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

both mine and my freinds rs' sit lower up front then my gta, gta is 5 yrs older and has 50% more miles then the rs i own. i can't verify anything so take it for what you will,, but it's noticable. i think the poncho's sit higher in general then the chevy's, or else the gfx and fenders are a bit different.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

From the White Book: The IROC featured lower trim height and center of gravity, special front struts, springs and jounce bumpers, Delco-Bilstein rear shocks, special rear springs and stablilizer bar, higher-effort steering, increased caster, front frame rail reinforcement (i.e. the Wonderbar), 16" wheels....

JamesC

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

An IROC was capable of 92g's in skidpad tests. Could an IROC do this sitting higher than an RS?

Oops, what happened to the automerge?

JamesC

Toehead

What kind of springs does the GTA come with? I just put some crazy WS6 GTA springs in my car... IT has about twice the number of coils as my berlinetta springs, and raised the back about 2 inches!

Now I have some sort of crazy muscle car rake going on... I like it.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

dunno but judging by the explatives and assorted squeels/screams coming from my passenger seat, they work.

Jessman

I'd have to agree that the RS doesnt handle as well as the Z28's or the GTA's. I"ve owned an 87 GTA and even after being T-boned (left the car in driveable condition) it still handled better than my friends regular 88 TA TBI car. Granted his car was beat.
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By the way, When I got T-boned, It took most of its force to the right rear wheel, and I beleive even blow out the shock, because it didnt handle as well after the accident as it had previously. But still better that my buddies car, and his friends camaro.

rockit

iTrader: (3)

yep as i've said before, i'd rather have a ws6 tbi car, then an l98 FE1 car. the suspension outclasses the motor, odd to have suspenions that can take well over 100 mph comfortably, but only get up to 90 mph easily...
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as far as i know those combinations are impossible, their just for reference.

ruiterman

Without getting into a spitting match about this, you need to think more about what makes a car handle than ride height. The IROC has MUCH stiffer springs, and MUCH larger/stiffer sway bars. That would do much more good in the handling than 1" of ride height.

And besides, I have 3 third gens in my fleet. The '85 IROC sits a good 1" higher than the '89 RS and the '89 Bird with WS6 sits a bit higher than the IROC. If the RS used to sit higher than that, it would have sunk at least 2-3 inches. Not likely. Seems it would have come as a 4x4 if it sat that high (although that could be cool in some circles).

And yes, I have no proof that it is all stock. And even though I don't believe everything (or anything) I read, I have read several places where people llike the height of the RS better and cut the IROC springs to lower it to the RS height.

And since I never believe anything I read, why should you believe what I wrote....go find some cars and compare....that's what I did.

Oh, and I'm sure you meant .92g's. Although, 92g's could be a ton of fun.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

I was simply quoting the Camaro White Book, which would certainly lead a reader to believe that the IROC was lower. Whether it is or not makes little difference, because as ruiterman suggests, the IROC is a better handling car.


JamesC

Jay

iTrader: (2)

I have compared cars and springs.
The RSs do tend to look like a 4x4 stance in comparison to the IROCs. Check your RPO codes on both cars. That will tell you what the suspension should be.
The RS cars weren't optioned with the performance suspension.
Then check the springs to see if the tags are still there. It's not uncommon for springs to be switched out, possibly the RS had lowering springs put on it or had the stock ones cut.