For taking turns which is atcually the better design? From what I heard the reason GM switched to coil on strut design was for ride comfort reasons. Anyone know?

 

Coilovers, if and only if the car is designed or custom supported for them, have the advantage of weight reduction- less unsprung weight to push the tire back to the pavement after a bump- less weight traveling upward when you hit a bump that will transfer force into the sprung weight unsettling the chassis.

You also have the benefit of quick change springs rates because you can re-taylor the ride height to the stiffer or softer spring leaving the proper geometry in tack.

Also less bind on the spring movement, springs in cans bind when travel angles change. Springs on coilovers always stay paralell to the shock it surrounds and does not bind.

 

I see I see...well I have the ground control weight jack system for the front. So the height thing and all that I can do also...but I see about the suspension changes and bumps and all that...hmmm...I'm wondering if its really worth it though...

 

It is true, GM did switch to coil-over shocks in the 4th gens mostly due to ride considerations. Moving the springs from the 3rd gen pockets to the outer part of the suspension (over the shocks) allows for about a 1/2 decrease in necessary spring rate. Also, the upper/lower control arm combo is a better design ride-wise than other suspension designs that GM could have shose (like a coil-over strut).

As for handling, it may give you more control over a strut/spring becuase the spring can be less stiff, probably holding the road better (I do mean probably). There aren't too many handling applications using a coil-over on a third gen, they are mostly drag racing for weight savings.

I know for a fact that the thrid gen cars at road racing/SCCA events (not autocross) consistently beat 4th gens that have more power and bigger tires. A properly set-up third gen is not to be underestimated, it will hand anything not specifically having a full race chassis its *** on the street (I refer to cars like the McL F1, F50 & F60...).

 

Thanks guys for your help. I've decided that i dont want to convert to coil over suspension anymore. I'm just gonna buy Ground controls camber/caster plate and tubular a arms instead.