hello all
i just got a 91 firebird and among other things the suspension needs a lot of..............awwww hell i need a suspension any ideas ?????????/

 

replace bushings(polyurethane if you like a hard ride and maintenance), shocks, struts. this will put it back to where it should be stock.

I'd do rubber bushings, not poly but this will cause an argument.

 

lol why is that????

what if i want to try and smooth it out some

 

poly bushings will stiffen the ride, new rubber will put it back where it came form the factory.

 

THANKS A LOT

 

You should be able to get OEM bushings from P-S-T or Energy Suspension. As far as shocks and struts....a lot of people on here go for the KYB GR-2s up front and Gas-a-Just shocks for the rear. They're like $130 or so. I don't know how much for the bushings though.

 

I just got my shocks and struts from summit, GR-2s and Gas-a-justs, can't remember the price, but it was the best around. I also got the polygraphite front end kit from P-S-T for 159, and the rear sway bar bushings for 40. Haven't put them in yet, but looking forward to it. Good to see people in the same boat that I am in so I can see the advice they get. Thanks to all the board experts!

 

Definately take care of the shocks/struts, because I bet they're the originals. That 11 year old equipment should be thrown out! (Imagine buying an '82 that's running on original shocks/struts!)

Jump6pack, how do you like those KYB's? I think my Monroe Sensatrac front struts are worn out, and I want to put new ones in this summer.

Also, confucius101, if you find a Trans Am in a junkyard, attack it for it's suspension parts. The rear sway bars (under the rear axle) are thicker, and bolt right in. Some front sway bars are thicker than our 34mm bars, most noticably any 86-up F-body with a "WS6" suspension code. Those WS6 cars also have a quick-ratio box and a "wonderbar". Visit http://www.nethirdgen.org 's tech area for detail on the installation of a Wonderbar; and you can search this forum (upper right hand of this screen) for info, too.

 

ok so for a softer ride i need install a new set of RUBBER bushings get some gr-2s fro the front and gas-a-justs for the rear??????

what are the polygraphite items mentioned ?????

also where should i go to pick up these items are seen as how i'm going in for a complete tune up can you guy's recomend any particular brands and or parts ?????

I just going to change everything (or as much of it as i can) at once and get it over with.

what about brakes????

can you guy's think of anything else i should do???

thanks again

 

You can do all of this yourself, just get the $15 Haynes manual from an auto parts store- you even get picture-by-picture walkthroughs of how to do your brakes.

Polygraphite = self lubricating (graphite impregnated) polyurethane.

Polyurethane = does not deflect (aka "squish") under stress. This means that a polyurethane bushing will stay aligned better on a hard turn than a rubber bushing. Better alignment = better handling. But, you get a harder ride. Straight polyurethane is said to "Squeak!", and that's why they came out with polygraphite. But supposedly, either one can squeak, unless properly lubricated before installation.

Visit http://www.p-s-t.com and http://www.energysuspension.com for info on these bushings and front-end rebuild kits. "Moog" is the best name for "hard" parts, like idler arms, or center links. (explained in the Haynes manual).

You might want to bring the car to a GOOD suspension/tire shop (not Sears) instead of an all-around mechanic.

 

THANKS AGAIN

 

ok does anybody know of a good shop near new york city?????

and is there any real differences between the bushings from two companies listed above they all seem to the most part the same ????

ok seen as how you guy's have helped me so much with this what do you have for me as far as exhaust and chips ?????

thanks again

 

There's no real difference between the two to my knowledge. I personally go with PST, but that's just because I've used them before. But whatever you do, DEFINATELY get a "wonderbar." That thing is awesome....it really stiffens up the front end, and stops most of those annoying sqeaks (at least if you have t-tops). I couldn't find one around here, so I just ordered a Global West steering brace (same thing) for $60 from nextgenparts.com

For your struts and shocks, Summit is a good start. Although they're not the absolute cheapest for those particular parts, the difference in $ is negligable when compared to searching around for a while. Also, Summit doesn't charge you for ground shipping, which will save you $14 or so.

As far as exhaust: headers (ceramic coated), y-pipe (some come w/ the headers), high flow cat, cat-back exhaust system

I would hold off on the chip until you are done w/ the rest of your mods, because then you can just have someone make you a custom chip to suit your car. If this is all your doing, then you really don't need a custom chip. Some guys like the Hypertech chips and others like the Fastchip. I don't know very much about the chips though, so someone else could probably help you more on that matter.