tommyjack

Time to replace the struts and shocks on my 89 Formula 5spd w/WS6. Want to retain the stock ride. Whats a good option and where can I find them?

Thanks, TJ

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

New onesParts stores

Get Moog 5665 if you want constant rate; or Moog CC635 if you want variable rate (which is what the stock ones are).

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

So Sofa, finally went off the deep end, huh? tommyjack, Shox.com would be a good place to start your search. Every member here will have a different recommendation, though many would suggest Bilstien or Koni struts/shocks (I'm running Koni Reds with Moog 5662 and 5665 springs and the ride quality is quite nice). By the way, the 5665 constant rates were stock in my 85 IROC.

JamesC

tommyjack

Thanks for the info!!!

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

I didn't know I ever was at any OTHER end!!

Seriously, I think only a part of my brain was working; the other cell must have been on break right then or something.

Those spring #s are rears. For fronts, you want either the 5662 or 5664 which are the 2 #s that replace the IROC springs (typically more handling-oriented than any of the Firebird variants). Those will take away some of the slushy Firebird ride though, and give it a bit more of the performance characteristics of the Camaro. I don't know offhand the Moog part #s for slushy springs, that not being my taste in the slightest. You're on your own there if that's what you want.

For shocks & struts, you can start out with stock-replacements like Monroe (DO NOT get Gabriel, they are junk); KYB has some that are about a half-notch above stock, and some others that are semi-performance; or the high-$$$ Bilstien or Koni or Tokico. Most people who are into that sort of thing will tell you that the Koni yellow or the Tokico Illumina are the ones to get.

There are other things you can do to the car that DRAMATICALLY improve it, independent of the springs & shocks. All of these things add rigidity to the body, so that it doesn't flex and vibrate and flop in the breeze the way they do in stock trim. Subframe connectors SHOULD HAVE BEEN on these cars from the factory, but weren't; get those FIRST. The "wonderbar" like IROCs have (but which no Firebird flavors ever came with) stiffens up the front of the chassis and improves the steering geometry, as well as helping prevent cracks in the "frame" where the steering gear mounts. A strut tower brace may help with front end flex in corners but doesn't affect the "ride" so much.

Of course, this all assumes that all of the wear parts are in good shape. It's pointless to talk about "upgrading" a car if stuff that wears out is worn out. Control arm bushings, ball joints, steering parts (rod ends, idler arm, center link) should be replaced; and something you can do RIGHT NOW, for CHEEEEP, is sway bar end links and bushings, both front and rear. You can get end links at Vato Zone and such, hanging on cards in the "performance" aisle; maybe the bushings too, I forget. Measure your sway bars at the point that they mount in the bushings with a crescent wrench and a ruler that goes down to 32nds of an inch, or a caliper, to get the right bushings.

Toehead

Yup, autozone has energy suspension links and bushings in the aisle.

tommyjack

Thanks. I'm looking for something to memic the stock ride for the WS6. Not going autocross racing or anything like that. Car has 82,000 miles on it. G-92 optioned car. Thanks for the help!!!

dr1

slushy firebird ride? that would be awesome.. point me to the slushy WS6 replacement springs, I need them

MilehighBird

iTrader: (1)

Tommyjack as usual Sofa and James have good advice they won't steer you wrong. I just went through this last year. I waited a little longer to change struts and shocks so that I had enough money to rebuild the front suspension and replace springs at the same time. My front wear parts were toast when I took them off.
I went with all MOOG front pieces and MOOG springs #5662 and 5665. Poly sway bar links and KYB's all around. I would have liked to gone with Bilsteins but didn't have that much in the budget. I am very happy with the ride I think it is slightly better than stock(I have owned the car since new) I also put on some take off GY GSC's that I picked up in the classifieds.
Good luck.