Hey guys, maybe you can point me in the right direction. I have an 87 Formula 350 (WS6, like all formulas) with a totally stock suspension. The car is a daily driver, but driven less than 10 miles a day to and from work, so I don't mind harshness at all. I basically want the car to handle as good as possible. The car will see the occasional 1/4 mile pass, but overall I want it to be a corner carver. Can you guys give me a recipe for success? I'm going to be doing the entire suspension at once, so what should I pick up and what companies manufacter the best parts?

Also, can I put a wonderbar on my Formula? Would it be worth it? I have heard my WS6 springs are very good and have heard mixed feelings about aftermarket springs. The only thing I don't like about them is for some reason my car seems to have close to 4 inches of fenderwell gap. I'm serious, it's nuts how much fenderwell space my car has.

Sorry for all the questions. I really don't have to much knoweldge on this topic and any help would be greatly appreciated.

The only definate plans I have right now are for poly bushings, an stb, some good shocks and possibly some aftermarket springs.


So please, if you can spare some time, chime in and tell me what I should do to make my car a real corner carver. I'm about to order up some 17x9.5 TT II's for the front and 17x11 TTII's for the back with 275/45/17's and 315/35/17's out back, so rubber shouldn't be a problem. Once again, any help would be greatly appreciated

I would first start off with Sub-frame connectors. Add a wonder bar this is mainly a safty item helps to keep the frame from cracking around the steering box. Next go with the STB & Poly bushings. New rear LCA's and panhard bar. Lowering the car an inch or two with new lowering springs will also help in the corners by lowering the center of gravity. And a good set of stiff shocks like Bilstein or Koni's. Asking who's a good name to go with when buying suspension components is a silly question on this board, the majority are going to recommend Spohn Performance. He sells quality parts for a good price. I've only ordered 1 item from him so far and was very pleased with the purchase and plan on ordering again in the future. There are several good manufactures out there that sell parts for 3rd gens but spohn offers some of the best prices.

Here it is all spelled out for ya....and I recommend in this order...

"Wonderbar" a.k.a. Global West Steering Box Area Brace---->now you could find a wonderbar or buy one off somebody for about $25 or you can get the beefier version from Global West for $47 from www.yearone.com (this part is your best bang-for-your-buck in my opinion)

KYB GR-2 Struts and Gas-a-Just shocks (p/n 236001/5562) $156

Spohn Lower Control Arms $105

Spohn LCA Relocation Brackets $65

Spohn Panhard Bar $85

Edelbrock Strut Tower Brace (depending on your engine) $105-$155

Spohn Sub-Frame Connector (gloss black) $200

...now of course you could put on poly bushings, but that really depends on how much of a canyon carver you want to be in relationship to daily driving and driver comfort. Also, if you lower your car, you're most likely going to need adjustable LCAs and panhard bar to regain your center of gravity. Most people that I know of use the Eibach kits for around $250. The reason I put the SFC last is incase you do your exhaust, this just makes it easier on the guys at the shop to do it at the same time. Now you could save some money by going with lesser brands than Spohn, but like Grafx said, noone will challenge Spohn's quality.

I would recommend checking these numbers just to be sure they're right. The ones I gave you are for a 91' RS (this is my disclaimer)

Here's what I've got on my car in order of importance:

1) Jamex Sport Springs (lowered car 1.5" - 2") - the WS6 springs are good, but as you mentioned ride height is too tall.

2) Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace

3) GM "wonderbar" (if you're lucky you can score one at a junk yard for around $10, otherwise contact Top Down Solutions - topdownsolutions@yahoo.com [best deal] - OR - Global West

4) Spohn Adjustable Panhard Bar (a must for a lowered car)

5) Spohn Adjustable Poly/Rod End LCA's

6) Spohn LCA relocation brackets (again, a must for a lowered car)

7) KYB GR2 struts and shocks (best bang for the buck)

8) Poly bushings front/rear and at trans mount

9) Spohn SFC's (still waiting to go on)

10) Baer Tracker bump steer kit (on it's way)

11) Spohn Adjustable Torque Arm

Once I have my 1LE brake upgrade complete I should have a real canyon killer.

A couple other goodies I may add are panhard bar lowering brackets (changes roll center of rear of car) and tubular front A-arms with jack screws.

BretD, Can you post a pic of your car? I would love to see what it looks like with the lowering done with nice springs.

Thanks Brian

89blackGTA
Here ya go:

Nice!! make mine look like a peice of crap compaired to it.

Brian

oops, forgot the pic.

Hey I remember that day! Another fine day cruising the local canyons. My car is the white Camaro right behind Bret's GTA. I have Eibach Pro-Kit springs and Bilstein shocks/struts. I also have SFC's and a STB as well. Yes I am making a Steering Brace (aka Wonder Bar) of my own design. They'll be ready early May. E-mail me if you are interested in getting one. Lon

Nah, you're car is looking pretty good.