Hey guys,

I've just pulled my GTA out of storage (it's been off the road for the past 3 years) & I can't believe how rough it's riding compared to the other vehicles I've driven...

Now I know that a few people on the board were saying that a really rough ride is normal, but this is crazy - I literally have to crawl over RR tracks, or it feels/sounds like the rear suspension bottoms out...

AFAICT, everything's stock on the car suspension-wise (other than the BMR adjustable LCAs that I've just installed) - the springs, shocks, struts, everything. It does have the WS-6 suspension, but I can't imagine that GM would have sold very many GTAs if this was how they behaved from the factory...

And if it turns out that I do need new springs, what brands/types does everyone prefer? My primary focus is on handling, not sure if I want to lower it or not...

Thanks all!

 

Shocks are probably a must as well. Might do them along with the springs. Is this car used as a cruiser? Race? Toy? My car is used for the street but I like to rip into curves every once and awhile so I went with KYB GR-2 struts and shocks. Not the best choice if you want a "race" car. If thats the case, look into some Koni's or Bilsteins. Springs wise, I went with the Eibach Sportlines. I love the look and the drop is a perfect stance. Good for road coursing too. Totally up to you but this is what I went with and have zero complaints. I also have UMI everything except A-Arms and a K-Frame.

 

I just redid my suspsension with Bilstein shocks/struts all around and Eibach Pro Kit springs - the Pro Kit doesn't lower as much as the Eibach Sportlines (only 1 inch rear and 1.5 inches front vs. closer to 2 inches on the Sportlines), but gives a nice stance. I'm very pleased with the handling - I feel way more road than with the GR2's I had, corners great with very little roll, but very streetable.

Springs cost $249 from Advance (special order - got them in 2 days) and Bilsteins were $566 for all 4 at Autozone (same special order - 2 days) - which were as cheap or cheaper than internet prices I found, no shipping costs, no waiting, and easy returns if I changed my mind. I got the NAPA NCP brands on the tie rods and ball joints, about $300 for all pieces, but they are nice. And I used poly bushings and end links.

The rears are easy, the fronts more work. Might want to consider new tie rod ends, ball joints, sway bar bushings, and end links while your there.

 

Hey Tim. I have my stock springs if you want them. They are G92s, I don't know if that makes them different from the WS6, or not? Mine have 90k on them, so they might not be any better than yours, but you can have them.

I just switched from a Pro-Kit drop, to the Sportlines and I love it. It is probably lower than what you would want, but I'm kind of going for that look. I am also running the kyb agx strut/shock combo, and like it. I don't have any experince in a 3gen with any other performance struts, but these seem to do good.

 

have you ever driven the car? just doesnt seem like it if you don't know how it rides. But anyway did you set your adjustable lca's right? This would cause more or less preload on the rear i believe. which could be causing your problem.

 

Yeah, I've owned it for almost 10 years now, & it was my daily driver for a little while... But it's been sitting in the garage for almost 3 years, which (maybe) explains my "unfamiliarity" with how it rides...

The other thing I've wondered is whether or not the rear springs could've somehow "lost" the tempering, or settled, or...?? But I'll be the first to admit that this seems pretty unlikely.

Well, when I installed them I made a real effort to make sure that each one was the same length as the original LCAs (measured from the center of each mounting hole). That way I didn't have to worry about whether or not each one was the same length as the other - at least theoretically...

Brandon, I do appreciate that man, & I may take you up on that. I think that my first order of business should maybe be to take a ride in someone else's car (preferably all- or mostly-stock) to see how their car compares to mine. The paper with the LCAs stated that they'd increase road noise, but this is way beyond that...

Thanks for all the feedback guys!!

 

Your just not used to it. Some cars that I thought rode rough, ride smooth now to me after driving my Camaro daily for the past few months

 

when u go from newer family cars
to a thirdgen cars,

two thing to come in mind is that:
for traction purpose, i think our car's suspension are designed for stiffer
ride than family cars.

or:
all the suspension is rotting down..

i heard SFC is a good upgrade,
but u probably should start from the cheaper stuff,
shocks and endlinks maybe.

 

if your car is STIFFER than normal, like you say, your shocks have seized. Replace them FIRST, then see if you want to upgrade other stuff. No need to overcomplicate things.

I've never heard of springs getting harder over time.

Shocks are much easier to replace then springs too

 

yeah shocks and struts can "seize" after they sit awhile. I bought my 87 Iroc from the original owner and it sat for 9 years untouched. It rode awful so i threw on some kyb's all the way around and it made a hell of a difference. No where near as good as my eibach equipped car though. You definately get what you pay for.

 

Ugh - don't really want to think about re-doing the front end, but it might not be a bad idea. I might have the engine out this fall anyway...

Wasn't actually meaning to suggest that they were "getting harder", more along the lines of getting weaker & perhaps settling, resulting in less clearance & an increased tendency to hit the bump stops (like I've seen some leaf spring cars settle).

Finally, I know that I need new shocks & struts (I'm saving up for Bilsteins), & I already have the SFCs - I'm HOPING to get those welded on this week...

Thanks for the feedback guys!