Afternoon all!

On or about June 2nd, 2006, I will be the proud Father of a brand spanking new baby girl and I can’t wait!

Trouble is... I live in NYC and own a third gen. Those two together are not a great combination as far as ride quality is concerned!

At an attempt to compromise, I want to soften my suspension up considerably to keep the complaints to a minimum. I know it’s not going to be Lexus smooth and I don’t expect it to be either, I’m just looking to make the missus happy (and ultimately, me happy).

There has got to be a few of you guys out there in the same predicament so stand up and be counted!

Any and all setups and suggestions are welcome (Well, anything except "Buy a Honda").

Thanks,

Scott

 

I just went and bought a daily driver and kept the car the way I wanted it. I know that may not be the answer you're loking for but that's what I did. I'm not sure just how "soft" you can make these cars as far as ride quality as they were never intended to be "soft".

 

buy a Minivan Daddy lol

 

....Airide Technologies.....
other wise, its SUV time. Even if just as a driver.

 

springs from a base coupe berlinetta or something will ride nice.

Just dont sale the car...i parked mine in the garage. for 4 years before i had the time and money to get back to it. After my son was born, now he helps me with it.

 

Aside from softening the suspention, I find that sound plays a large role in the perception of roughness. Some new cars I've ridden in (such as the M3) have mice stiff suspensions, but when you go over bumps they dont rattle and clank like my Camaro, so it's barely even noticed. Even just tightening up some stuff in my door made my Camaro "feel" 10 times smoother.

First I would try to get rid of all noises. Also consider the seats; is the padding worn though? Alot of top end cars have really tight suspensions and make up for comfort with the seats. Ride quality is purly perception. Next I would say tires, they can make a huge difference.

 

Thanks for the input everyone.

Again, everything is taken into consideration (well, almost everything - NO MINIVANS!)

A daily driver is way out of the question as alternate side parking is a pain with just one car alone.

I agree with the perception of roughness and I have started looking into replacing the worn hinges on the doors. The back lid still closes without the need to slam but I still might make some adjustments and reinforcements. I have a little floorpan rust and when that get's repaired, I will be laying down some insulation so hopefully that will add to the perception also.

Again, thanks.

Scott

 

there's an article in either CHP or HotRod on our door hinges. They've got some new ones out that are really great.

 

The article is in the March 2006 CHP and I've also come across this from HPP and this one from Andyz28.com.

 

buy a daily driver, lol, you'll never get a car seat into a 3rdgen without complaining, it's better to bitch about having to move cars around than to bitch about putting the baby in the back lol , just my opinion of course

I bought a $600 corsica on ebay with 78000 miles! it was just dirty inside but nothing that didn't clean up.

 

as strange as it sounds I found that my car had a much smoother ride after I installed my subframe connectors. It also made it handle great. I think that the SFCs made the suspension work properly since it stops the body from flexing.

 

thats not strange at all i thought the same thing

 

Subframe connectors are also on the short list.

How about the strut mounts? That’s just for turning geometry no?

 

I would suggest first subframes, and when you fix the floor board rust, get some dyno mat to dapen the sound and vibration(s).

How old are your springs, and which shocks do you have? Swapping to maybe just factory replacement springs, with some adjustable shocks (loose for when they are in the car, tight for when its just you).

Also, my x said the car felt smoother after replacing the swaybars and all bushings holding them in.

Another, a tire with a taller sidewall will flex more then one with a short wall. Maybe for the next few years go to a higher sidewall tire. However, this will compramise some of its handling.

Do NOT change the seat fabric, as the baby will no doubt spill stuff on your new fabric. Wait tell its older, then replace it.

 

Fix all the rattles, subframe connectors fixed most of mine. The suspension should be in good working order. For a softer ride....I'd leave the suspension alone and switch to 15's or (gulp) 14's with nice riding tires (not performance cornering tires). I run a set of 15x7 88 Iroc wheels with bargain price (kelly chargers) 245/60R15's if they aren't on my S10, and a set of 16x8 87 Iroc wheels with 245/45R16's (Goodyear GS-C's). The difference in ride quality is night and day. The 15's ride so smooth, and the 16's you feel every little crack/bump in the road. Yes the 16's handle much better and are usually on the Camaro. I would imagine 14's would even be better yet with 205/75R14's or something similiar in height to your current set-up(should be able to find thirdgen/s10 14's farily cheap). If you stick with 16x8's like I assume you have, you will be limited in finding taller skinnier tires that will work (wear correctly and not rub the wheel wells). Tires make a big difference. Also did this to my 96 tahoe. Came with hankook 10 ply load range E 245/75R16's, swapped them for a set of 6 ply Cooper discoverer ATR 265/75R16's. I sold and installed tires for years, it's all in what the customer needs for a specific application. You will give up handling for a softer ride.

 

with shagwell go with Air Ride Technologies, I drove a lincoln with stock air bags from the factory it was the smothest ride as far as I can remember. On the down side the cost of it could be a down payment on a new/used car