Hi Guys,

I'm in the UK and have recently purchased a 91 V6 Firebird and according to the RPO code it has soft suspension! I can't see in the past receipts I have whether any of the shocks or coils etc have been replaced, as it does seem rather bouncy... is this normal?

If I wanted to replace it with the V8 suspension or stock firmer springs, is it a big job, just a matter of replacing the shocks or do I need to start adjusting roll bars and stuff?

Thanks, appreciated!

Ian

 

What are you wanting to do with the car? Just put the suspension to V8 stock, or up-grade it to handle better? This will determive what you do. How much are you looking to spend?

 

Hi,

Thanks for responding to my posting. I'm still getting used to the current suspension being so soft but as I say, I'm not sure if it actually needs replacing, given it's 17 years old or it was always that soft!?

I think I'd be looking to replace it with the stock V8 setup as I don't believe there were originally other options on the V6? I'm not looking to go down the performance route at this time, maybe if I swap to a V8 one day :-)

Thanks, appreciated!

Ian

 

The stock suspensions are very soft with the age and mileage most of these cars have on them. I rode in a stock 91 Firebird not too long ago and it reminded me of my grandfather's Buick....eww. If you are just wanting to replace the soft stock V6 suspension with a new, firmer V8 set-up, you'll need to be ready for the front to set higher. The V8 springs are designed to work with the extra weight of a V8.
I would reccomend going throught the steering and suspension linkages and replcing any worn linkages or bushings. Next, find the springs you want. There is a list on this board somewhere that lists part number, spring rate, and application. Next, if you want (and I reccomend) get a set of the larger GM sway bars with new bushings and endlinks. I have 36/24 and like them. there are many options. Your shocks wll be the most expensive object. I reccomend getting KONIs or the higher-end Bilsteins. Other brands like Tokico and KYB will work as well. Just bear in mind that your shocks control the rest of the suspension, so this is where I always say to spend the largest percentage per part of your budget. (my KONIs were ~700 US dollars of roughly 2000 dollars in modifications).

 

Hi 91_5.7_TPI!!

Thanks for your reply and yes it does seem rather bouncy compared to my VW car but then that car is a lot newer! I did press on the rear of the car and the suspension went down and up as you'd expect and then a little more up, which makes me wonder if they're worn?

From what you've said, I guess V8 suspension might be only worth doing if I convert to a V8. Is converting to a V8 a hard job, I mean I know it's not just a case of replacing the engine ;-)

Are there any stock stiffer V6 springs or were they all known as soft?

Thanks, appreciated!

Ian

 

The bouncing means the shocks/struts are dead and need to be replaced, if your interested in making the car handle better the sway bars recomended by 5.7 tpi will work very, and for a good price, if your just lookin for a little stiffer ride with no more bouncing, i would recomend getting tokicko blue shocks there a good value and they work wonders versus the 17 year old, dead shocks you have now.

 

If you are not looking to go crazy performance right now and are not going V8 now either (although you could trim the V8 springs to lower the front) than here is a really good alternative.........find a V6 car with the F41/Y99 performance suspension (listed on the RPO sheet). They did indeed have stiffer springs and also thicker sway bars. However, to take it to the next level, I would also suggest the 36/24 sway bars like 5.7 tpi mentioned. Then definitely new shocks/struts, but even only moderate priced KYB GR2/gas-a-just combo (front/back respectively) will make a HUGE difference from worn out stock and easily control those springs. With these few things it will put a smile on your face ear to ear compared to driving it now and the budget won't blow the bank.

One other thing that will make a BIG difference for the dollars spent is wheels/tires. If you are not already at 215/65/15 (or even if you are) go to either 235/60/15 or take the plunge and find a factory set of 16" rims and slap some 245/50/16's on there. You can do all the suspension upgrades you want, and they will help, but only to a point where your tires then become the weak point (weak sidewalls on narrow low speed rated 15" tires create a lot of body roll themselves). To take full advantage of some of those upgrades better lower profile tires (as mentioned above) will magnify the difference felt of each upgrade.

 

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your contributions, appreciated!

Having talked with other guys I've decided to stick with V6 suspension and may swap to a 3.4 at somepoint. In the meantime I checked my RPO code and it's FE1, which apparently means soft! As for tyres, well I currently have what I think are stock 15" alloys (the inverted dome type) with 225/60R15 tyres :-)

What I'm trying to achieve is not a true performance upgrade as such, just not as soft and handles corners better :-) One guy says the respective KYBs would do it!?

One other thing I've noticed that might be suspension related or normal, is if I've got the steering on full lock either way, the front of the car seems to jump/loose grip!? I'm talking at very low speeds here!

Thanks,

Ian

 

thats normal for theese cars especially on gravel roads or poor pavement it feels like the inside our outside tire, i forget, is skipping or rolling over its self

 

I have replaced just about every suspension component on my V-6 except for the steering components (next month) and added subframe connectors and and strut tower brace. KYB GR2s work just fine for the shocks. I recommend staying with stock V-6 MOOG replacement springs. I also have Enkei 92s (16x8) with Kumho ASX 245/50/16s. Good grip for all weather conditions.