I have a 1989 formula 350 with WS6 suspension.
My son has a 91 Camaro RS with a 305 TBI, stock suspension and 15" wheels.
Why does the camaro seem to handle better than my formula which is supposed to be a "handling car"?
I've changed all my front suspension rubber (control arm bushings, ball joints, inner & outer tie rod ends, center link, idler arm, stabilizer bushings and front shocks , though the shocks are just oem type Monroe's.
Still, after all that, my car seems to FEEL every bump on the road and move with it.
Could it be the 245/50/w16 tires on the formula that make it handle like it does?
Or, do I need to move to the rear now and begin replacing back there also?

Any info will be appreciated.

Pete G.

 

the ws6 setup should be much harsher, stiffer and better.

you feel every bump on the road? ....that's the problem? I don't get it... Does it corner flatter? stick to the road better? Then that's a good thing, and the downside is the "riding on a skateboard" pelting of your backside.

how's your alignment? done one since that work? There should still be "optimum" handling specs for alignment on the tgo main page, I think that's a good start.

your front suspension should cover most of how the car drives and handles, and the rear suspension more covers how the car handles under power, accelerating, taking off hard, etc. At least that's how I think of it.

 

The larger wheels will tend to track more than the 15x7 on the RS. Also did they give you a strut that was a generic F body strut or is it some sort of a heavy duty strut to handle the stiffer springs on the WS6. Your springs are way stronger than RS springs. Nearly double the spring rate.

 

The WS6 should run circles around the RS. It's got bigger wheels, stiffer springs, different valved shocks and bigger sway bars. Sounds like you need an alignment and the clowns at the auto parts store sold you the wrong shocks/struts. Those chain stores have one part number for all third gen fbodys and they're soft.

 

I have a '91 RS, with the 305 in it, the 16 inch Z28 rims, let me tell ya, it handles alright but not as stiff as I wish it would.

What shocks does he have ?


Monroe's hmmm they're supposed to be for "passenger" cars, I doubt they're good enough for any performance, I've seen them at junkyards, that's about it. Seems KYB's may be a tiny bit better.


I feel a lot when I drive, over bumps it's really nasty, like driving some old off road vehicle, so I bet your shocks are .. S H O T.