Suspension Help.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Suspension Help.
I'm currently upgrading my suspension and I want to make sure that the parts that I buy will fit my convertible. I have read that there's certain suspension parts that fit on hardtops that will not fit on convertibles. Could you guys set me straight? Also do you guys know the stock sizes for the sway bars? Is bigger better? Thanks for all the info.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Albany GA
Car: '90 RS Vert
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700-R4
What I know (or maybe think I know!)
First,
I do not know of any suspension parts for a coupe that will not fit on a vert. The exception to that are Sub Frame Connectors - but that is really more of a chassis/frame part. It is true that the SFC's for Coupes will NOT fit on Verts. The reason for this is that the convertible was stiffened by ASC at the time of conversion. In the opinion of most it was not stiffened enough - especially if you are going to drive it hard as the car was intended to be driven.
Before starting to work on my suspension I read a book on performance tuning. It was a General book but it used the Third Gen Camaro Coupe as it's subject. It was a very good book and went into a lot more detail than most people even want to know. I can't remember the title/author at the moment and at the time of writing this I am wasting time at work! Tell me if you want the book details and I will dig it out this evening when I get home.
What I got from the book was this! As in all things everything must work together. To tune your car you first must have an idea what you want, and stiffer does not always mean better handling. The main reason you would want (much) stiffer springs would be to conteract the downforce of extremem high speeds... Since most of us drive our cars on the nation's highways and not on a track we do don't need springs that are that much stiffer. Ride hight is whole diffrent topic...
On my car I kept the Stock RS Springs but upgraded the Swaybars to the largest size ever used on the IROC. I got a matched powder coated set from Noble Coatings off Ebay. I put on a better grade of Shock/Strut than came on the car. Combined with larger rims and Goodyear Eagles I have a car that will corner on rails but still not beat you senseless going down the interstate...
About a year and a half ago I was out one evening. I had been to a bar to photograph a band and was headed home. Yes, I was stone cold sober. I don't drink when I am working! On the way home I encountered a Musdang (Yeah I meant to spell it that way!) on the bypass. He had three of his best buddies in the car with him, and they started messing with me. My car will run pretty good but I stopped short of the upgrades to the motor when I decided that everything on it had been there for almost fifteen years and that it would be best to wait until it died and then replace with better. I won't say that I haven't done it but I try not to race on the streets. Anyway, this guy was showing off for his buddies in his Musdang and messing with the guy in the thirdgen. I did not take the bait but I was in front when we hit the off ramp. Instead of braking I accellerated! The Furd tried to hang and VERY quickly lost ground. About one mile after merging into traffic we pulled up at a red light. I was in the Right, he was in the Left. When the light turned green, I eased away with no intention of racing. Neither did he! I guess he got intimidated by his inability to hang in the curve and figured he would get whopped from the redlight! In the mirror I could see his buddies giving him grief and I LOVED IT!
Speedy
P.S. There will be a better motor in my car one day but the old reliable LO3 just refuses to give up!
I do not know of any suspension parts for a coupe that will not fit on a vert. The exception to that are Sub Frame Connectors - but that is really more of a chassis/frame part. It is true that the SFC's for Coupes will NOT fit on Verts. The reason for this is that the convertible was stiffened by ASC at the time of conversion. In the opinion of most it was not stiffened enough - especially if you are going to drive it hard as the car was intended to be driven.
Before starting to work on my suspension I read a book on performance tuning. It was a General book but it used the Third Gen Camaro Coupe as it's subject. It was a very good book and went into a lot more detail than most people even want to know. I can't remember the title/author at the moment and at the time of writing this I am wasting time at work! Tell me if you want the book details and I will dig it out this evening when I get home.
What I got from the book was this! As in all things everything must work together. To tune your car you first must have an idea what you want, and stiffer does not always mean better handling. The main reason you would want (much) stiffer springs would be to conteract the downforce of extremem high speeds... Since most of us drive our cars on the nation's highways and not on a track we do don't need springs that are that much stiffer. Ride hight is whole diffrent topic...
On my car I kept the Stock RS Springs but upgraded the Swaybars to the largest size ever used on the IROC. I got a matched powder coated set from Noble Coatings off Ebay. I put on a better grade of Shock/Strut than came on the car. Combined with larger rims and Goodyear Eagles I have a car that will corner on rails but still not beat you senseless going down the interstate...
About a year and a half ago I was out one evening. I had been to a bar to photograph a band and was headed home. Yes, I was stone cold sober. I don't drink when I am working! On the way home I encountered a Musdang (Yeah I meant to spell it that way!) on the bypass. He had three of his best buddies in the car with him, and they started messing with me. My car will run pretty good but I stopped short of the upgrades to the motor when I decided that everything on it had been there for almost fifteen years and that it would be best to wait until it died and then replace with better. I won't say that I haven't done it but I try not to race on the streets. Anyway, this guy was showing off for his buddies in his Musdang and messing with the guy in the thirdgen. I did not take the bait but I was in front when we hit the off ramp. Instead of braking I accellerated! The Furd tried to hang and VERY quickly lost ground. About one mile after merging into traffic we pulled up at a red light. I was in the Right, he was in the Left. When the light turned green, I eased away with no intention of racing. Neither did he! I guess he got intimidated by his inability to hang in the curve and figured he would get whopped from the redlight! In the mirror I could see his buddies giving him grief and I LOVED IT!
Speedy
P.S. There will be a better motor in my car one day but the old reliable LO3 just refuses to give up!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
If it wouldn't be too much trouble, you think you could try to find the name of that suspension book. Also, what size were the sway bars that you put on your ride? Thanks for the info.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Albany GA
Car: '90 RS Vert
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700-R4
Info
The book I referred to was
Performance Handling/How to Make Your Car Handle Techniques for the 1990s by Don Alexander...
You might check the Library to see if it is available or if they can get it on a loan. I found the book on Ebay and on Amazon dot com. The USED price for this book is 70bucks! I haven't been been able to find my copy yet but at that price I might just have to tear up the house! Here's a link to the
Amazon Listing
The Bars I put on my car were 36mm on the front and 24mm on the rear. I bought mine already powder coated from Noble Coatings. I found them on Ebay! They don't have anything for auction right now but here is a link to their feedback page. On the page to the right there is a button where you can contact them. http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...ating&frm=1728
I hope this helps!
Speedy
Performance Handling/How to Make Your Car Handle Techniques for the 1990s by Don Alexander...
You might check the Library to see if it is available or if they can get it on a loan. I found the book on Ebay and on Amazon dot com. The USED price for this book is 70bucks! I haven't been been able to find my copy yet but at that price I might just have to tear up the house! Here's a link to the
Amazon Listing
The Bars I put on my car were 36mm on the front and 24mm on the rear. I bought mine already powder coated from Noble Coatings. I found them on Ebay! They don't have anything for auction right now but here is a link to their feedback page. On the page to the right there is a button where you can contact them. http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...ating&frm=1728
I hope this helps!
Speedy
Last edited by Speedgraphic; Mar 21, 2005 at 01:45 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Albany GA
Car: '90 RS Vert
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700-R4
Powder Coated Swaybars
Robert Noble emailed me today that he has a set of 36mm Front and 24mm rear swaybars on Ebay right now.
24MM REAR
36MM Front
I am not afiliated in any way with Noblecoatings. I do have a set of their powder coated swaybars and have been very pleased with them...
Speedy
24MM REAR
36MM Front
I am not afiliated in any way with Noblecoatings. I do have a set of their powder coated swaybars and have been very pleased with them...
Speedy
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 762
Likes: 1
From: Long Beach, CA
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: WC T-5
Re: Powder Coated Swaybars
Originally posted by Speedgraphic
I am not afiliated in any way with Noblecoatings. I do have a set of their powder coated swaybars and have been very pleased with them...
Speedy
I am not afiliated in any way with Noblecoatings. I do have a set of their powder coated swaybars and have been very pleased with them...
Speedy
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