I was believe the f41 suspension was optional on earlier years, but became standard. I would like to know what it is, and how does it compare to z28 suspension.

RPO F41 was optional supension package for additional $49.00 and for that amount of money you got some nice badges.

I have no badges on my 92, It is listed in the RPO's,

Here's an interesting link, though I'm unsure how helpful it is:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/hist...41-camaro.html

The following according the the Camaro White Book for 1985 factory options (a cursory look didn't show F41 after 85): "RPO F41 (sport suspension) included larger front stabilizer, rear stabilizer, and special front and rear shocks; not available with Z28."

JamesC

A little confusing JamesC, but it looks like an upgraded suspension. How does it compare with z28 suspension on 92's like mine?

It's between the base models and the Z28s. My car came with it. Little stiffer front springs, 34/21mm sway bars. At least that's what it was on my 91. And I have no fancy badges. That was a pretty ignorant statement.

Well, that only makes sense. I haven't had a chance to compare my suspension to a camaro that doesn't have the f41. I definitly tell the difference between my iroc,and my rs. The iroc hands down has stiffer suspension, and can corner better. I'm gonna take some calipers and measure the sway bars on both machines.

Yea, the IROCs have stiffer front springs. Not sure which sway bars the IROC would have, maybe 34/24. I can't really remember lol. I don't recall if they came with 36s like the WS6s or not.

Some of the early cars had a little "F41" on the bumper. I *believe* that the Z28/IROC springs were the stiffest you could get stock on a third gen, with the WS6 springs being a little softer. I think perhaps the best thing to do is try to get some info on stock spring rates, either from GM or from from your local MOOG or similar suspension dealer. My guess is if you have a big 36mm hollow front sway bar and 24mm rear bar, but no "wonderbar" (steering brace), it probably ends up being equivalent to the "performance suspension" option on the Firebirds.

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IROCS did come with the 36/24 combo, and also had a little tiny rod between the cowl and pass. hood hinge as well as a small bar on the pass wheel well tying the wheel well to the boxed portion of the subframe. Check it out, on the later models, there is a little extension with a hole in it on the pass side hinge base. Its for that little bar.

I think that's what I have on the rs. I could probably beef up the front end by replacing the front struts with new performance struts of some kind.

Yeah, I replaced my entire front end. WS6 sway bar, KONI adjustable struts, Eibach ProKit springs. Totally different beast. The best place to spend money is in the struts though. They control the rest of the suspension's characteristics.

The ws6 sway bar sounds like a 4th gen part. Correct me if I am wrong. What does a pair of those struts go for?

No, WS6 is a option package for 3rd an 4th gens. Maybe 1st and second gens as well. It's a 36mm hollow/24mm solid.
The fronts are around $500-$550

That rpo is not on mine. I must not have it. I need to look myself. I'll drill a hole in the front sway to see if it is hollow.......

The hollow 36, solid 24 combo didn't arrive on Camaros until 89 (86 for Birds). The hollow bar has a hole on the underside near the end links.

My 85 IROC was originally equipped with a 34/24 combo. For more info on the pieces 89 mentions above, check the following link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...pport-bar.html

JamesC

WS6 is a Trans Am/ Firebird only option, as far as I know.

No need for hole drilling lol.

If the IROCs bar is hollow, your IROC and F41 car will probably have the same front bar, but the IROC should have a larger rear bar and stiffer front springs. Also, the valving in the struts and shocks will be different most likely. The KONIs are about 500ish for the front and 300ish rear.

I wouldn't really drill a hole lol! I think I could improve my suspension w/new struts. I have air shocks in the back. I bought it that way. I keep a minimum amount of pressure in them. Don't wanna have a jacked up look, not on a thirdgen.

Yeah, the struts would really help, but you would see a greater improvement by matching the front and rears. You'd have alot better dampening on the fronts and then the air shocks on the rear. Probably cause unbalanced handling characteristics.

I seem to get more nose corner tipping with the rs that I do w/the iroc. I always attributed this to the front. I'm not sure why the previous owner put on airshocks.

Like I've said, the front springs with the RS will be softer, as would the stock valving on the struts. That's why the front seems to tip more than the IROC. If you replaced the struts, it would help either car. The KONIs I mentioned have stiffer valving than either the RS or the IROC would have had factory. If you replace only the fronts, you'll have a car with stiffer valving on the front than the rear. This would unbalance the car's characteristics, except now the rear would have more tip/roll than the front. This would be true on either car, IROC or RS.

So shocks, and struts should be replaced as a set. I still cannot figure out why the previous owner installed air shocks on the back. Any significant air pressure jacks the car.

Yeah. When you do one thing to the suspension, you need to consider the impact it will have on the whole suspension. I'm not saying there won't be an improvement, but you would have a better performing car if you replaced them all.
Some people like that look, with the rear jacked up. And some people think that the car will perform better as a drag car with the rear stuck up like that.

anyone that wants to jack up a third gen should get a fair trial... and then be shot!

I don't think the owner wanted to use it for drag. The gears are 2.73, and it is in such darn good condition. It could be to compensate for weak springs, or he thought it would stiffen the rear. Who knows?

I bought my first new car at a large Chevy dealership it was an 84 sport coupe 4cyl. With F41 sport suspension had quick ratio steering and larger front sway bar but did not come with any rear . I had the salesman look up the price of adding a z28 sway bar and it cost me another eighty dollars to have them order me in one and they installed it there at no additional charge... Loved that car and drove it for four years and 84 thousand miles, many road trips cross the country and back...