broke91firebird

Last summer I took my 1991 Firebird Base up to a little over 100 mph. I could have gotten a little more out of the stock 3.1 but the fact that the front end was lifting severely had me real worried. Now that I am planning on a path that would end in the 10 second quarter mile times, I need to come up with something to keep the front end down at higher speeds.

Any ideas anyone? I'll try to get some pictures up when I get home of the front of the car. It's a base model 1991 with no ground effects of any kind. Strangely enough. My previous 1991 with the aero kit didn't have this problem all the way up to 108 MPH.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

Maybe look into an alignment I doubt the nose is up from weight transfer with a v6. Was it feeling loose? Probably worn components

broke91firebird

That could be. I will be sure to check that out, Thanks. Ya the steering was loose. I was thinking too much air under the car, not the weight transfer, since it only happened after 100 MPH.

AlkyIROC

My front end extends when I launch and stays extended all the way down the track. I cross the finish line at 150 mph and don't have a handling problem.

Stewie

I've got a 1992 base Firebird which is about the same as a '91. I didn't have any control or front lift problems at 100 mph plus other than watching out for state police. That was before I beefed up the suspension.

broke91firebird

OK. Thanks all for the info. I'll check back in after later in t summer and let you all know what I find out, being as I am planning on replacing much of the front suspension with higher quality racing parts as well as most of the back. Thanks again!

Edwardgp

Maybe some new struts would help along with the front end alignment. A good shop will let you know what front end parts need replacing before they can align your front end.

Formula 305

Its not lifting @ speed from weigh transfer, its from pressure building under the hood from the air intake for the radiator & the only place the air can go is down under the car, creating lift. To fix this you need to give the air someplace else to go, either out the fenders or out the hood through lovers or vents. A cowl hood WILL NOT let air out, it will make the situation worse by letting more air in.

broke91firebird

@Formula305 that was what I was thinking since the 'bird does have about a 3 foot opening between the 3.1 and the radiator. It just felt like the front was lifting at higher speeds. I'll update after the suspension work I'm planning.

Formula 305

I don't think the gap between the radiator & block makes a difference. I bet the difference is that they all have the same aerodynamics- therefore the same lift, but the V8s have more weight to counteract the lift force

jwfirebird

iTrader: (2)

i had a 2.8, originally and it always felt like it settled down at high speed. now that i have the 350 it feels like it lifts. i think partially its worn struts and the engine has 3 or 4 times as much power. when i had the 6 it was less than 10 years old and all the suspension was fairly new