My car is lowered at least 1.5" (I bought lowered). It rides like a tank, EVERY imperfection in the road is like a speed bump. The front shocks I know are Monroe Formula 1's and the rears I believe are stock (don't know why the previous owner never replaced both front and back), I have no idea what brand the springs are. I know having a lowered car is supposed to ride a little rough but this is definately not normal. What are some suspect area's thatI should look at to make this tank ride come to an end.

I was thinking about investing in some Koni (reds, not yellows because they are too stiff) shocks. Would this solve my problem? My buddies who ride with me say it feels like the body mounts are shot, is this common, because I haven't heard of it happening. Has anybody had to replace body mount and how much of a beatch was it to accomplish?

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1988 L98 GTA
3.73 Posi
Polished & Ported Plenum, JET AFPR
Free Mods, Cold air Intake
Subframe Connectors, Strut Tower Brace, Lowered,
SLP 1 3/4" Stainless Headers, Edelbrock Catback, High Flow Converter,
Crane Fireball Ignition,
BF Goodrich G-Force P255/50R16's

 

The 82-92 F-body cars don't have body mounts (body bolted on frame) because our cars are unibody. That is, unitized steel panels that are stamped into shape and welded to form the body and chassis.

Possibilities in such a harsh suspension are stiff shock absorbers and/or very high rate springs. Heim joint rear control arms (a sperical bearing instead of a rubber or poly uretane bushing) transmits more noise to the cabin.

What you could do to end this rough ride is to buy new springs that are reputable and are designed for street use and not racing purposes. Race springs for competition road racing have very high rates. Sometimes up to 1000 lbs/inch! Adjustable shocks are a good choice because you can tune the suspension to your tastes and/or needs. Hope this helps and I'm sure many more will help you out with this post recommending many helpful solutions.

 

My friends 65 mustang is exactly like that. Its lowered 2" with stiff a$$ springs and shocks, all poly bushings, and monster sway bars. It does not lean at all on turns, but when you get on the highway it will almost bounce you out of your seat. It feels like it has no suspension. This is why I am reluctant to lower my car and stiffen the suspension...

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1983 Firebird
TH700R4 Auto
Small Block 400
LG4 ECM, Intake, Carb, Distributor, etc.
Soon to be non-computer.
Clarion Head Unit 45X4
2 Pioneer 400W 12" Subs
Third Gen Performance
"A four cylinder is half an engine."
"Ponies can run, but birds can fly..."

 

What kind of car did you own previously? Compared to most cars, a stock GTA rides pretty rough. It's designed to handle. A lowered GTA will ride even stiffer. Especially if they cut the springs to lower it. To help it out, get non-performance front struts/rear shocks(any parts retailer) and stock GTA springs. If that isn't enough, install some V6 springs, remove the rear sway bar and install a small(7/8) front bar--the stock setup in my car. I know it will drive smoother then. But everything to do to make it ride nicer will hurt handling.


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

 

Haha very funny.

My previous car was also a 1988 GTA with a stock supsension, I know how these cars ride, but this is really abnormal even for a lowered car. I kinda suspect the problem area is in the springs, not because they are high performance, but because I think someone took a torch to them. Thanks for the help.

What are better springs to get for best comfort erformance ratio? I also heard that Bilstein shocks give a better street ride than the Koni's and still deliver the same handling performance, is this true, because if so I'm getting them!

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1988 L98 GTA
3.73 Posi
Polished & Ported Plenum, JET AFPR
Free Mods, Cold air Intake
Subframe Connectors, Strut Tower Brace, Lowered,
SLP 1 3/4" Stainless Headers, Edelbrock Catback, High Flow Converter,
Crane Fireball Ignition,
BF Goodrich G-Force P255/50R16's

 

Tanks actually ride quite smooth . Kind of like a 63 ton Cadillac.

 

Hey, I had Monroe Formula 1 shocks on a 80 trans am and they were extremely stiff, probably great for a smooth racetrack, I have a 91 GTA now with new KYB GR2 shocks with stock springs with 128K miles on them and it is pretty firm but not from hell. Dave

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I would love to know the shox to look for as well...
good handling vs softer ride.
What is the best shock and spring setup for this?

I was thinking about dropping my 'bird about an inch or so.
What can I do to not be bouncing over every little divit in the road?>

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http://kiztope.50megs.com
92 Pontiac Firebird Formula WS6 5.7/A4
K&N, Blue Streak Cap and Rotor, strange unknown exhaust system (sounds good though)...
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Bilsteins and Eibach PRO kit. best ride/handling compromise.

 

i have no idea what mine are...they are red and they have a really hard ride. I think it lowered the car 2"

 

I agree.