Suspension upgrade ??

I'm looking to upgrade my Frt/Rr suspension (shocks/springs)to resolve a bottoming out issue that I experience when hitting imperfections in the road. Everything is original stock. I wasn't looking to lower my car and I would just like to add comfort/performance. Driving is street and occasional highway. I would also like to replace the bushings. Does anyone have any suggestions for reasonably priced upgrades without lowering the car? Thanks

93 Z28 119K miles/original owner

Originally posted by TerryZ28
I'm looking to upgrade my Frt/Rr suspension (shocks/springs)to resolve a bottoming out issue that I experience when hitting imperfections in the road. Everything is original stock. I wasn't looking to lower my car and I would just like to add comfort/performance. Driving is street and occasional highway. I would also like to replace the bushings. Does anyone have any suggestions for reasonably priced upgrades without lowering the car? Thanks

93 Z28 119K miles/original owner

I'm not sure you are bottoming out so much as just completely underdamped. The car has bumpstops that will keep you from bottoming out, but the shocks play a huge part in how fast/hard you hit those stops. Since the shocks are original, and they sucked when new (really, they do) what I'm sure is happening is that you simply have a lot of uncontrolled movement, and that is allowing you to build a lot of undamped motion and the result is a hard crash at the end. Then, I'm sure the car come rebounding off at what feels like 100 mph and gives you a scary float. Again, shocks not controlling the energy stored in the compressed springs and bumpstops and you feel like you are driving a pogo stick.....

Close?

I was thinking the same thing, but was waiting on him to see if he'd replaced his shocks from stock, or if at all.

Originally posted by 01 FS Z28
and you feel like you are driving a pogo stick.....

Close?

Nice way to put it ;)

reasonable upgrade without lowering...

if you want some more handling then I would sugest the SLP Eibachs for springs, if you just want your ride back then you should be able to use your stock springs still, and then put a good shock on it. I like bilstien, if you want a softer ride I would go for the SLP valved ones ($380), or if you dont mind a bit more harsh then the HDs ($350)

of if you really want to jsut get that feeling of a pogostick gone then jsut get some stock takeoff shocks from SLP for the, what are they 100 bucks or less?

and if you replace all your bushings with poly ones that will stiffen up your ride a bit too.

Well, maybe it just feels like I'm bottoming out. But, there is a loud thump when it happens. Should I be hitting the bumpstops in the rear? Because it looks like signs of it on the axle where they meet. Also everthing is original stock.

Shocks aren't exactly cheap, but I think that'a s good first suspension mod if you don't want feel every pebble that you run over. Stock shocks are not great, and at 119K, they definitely need to go.

The best way to go is with the Koni/ bilstein combo from Strano parts. This is by far the best street set up out there. Plus, you can lower the car about an inch at no extra cost. the koni are adjustable, so you can tailor the ride to suit your needs. The bilsteins are used to lower the cost, instead of having konis at all for corners. Which give you a little extra cash to buy an awesome 35mm hollow bar. The total package is about 800 and some change. Give Sam a call you won't regret it, I didn't! The car feels like it is on rails and still has the same ride quality as before.

Thanks Sam,

Rob :bow: :bow:


Sam Strano
2002 ESP & FS ProSolo Nat'l Champ.
Owner--Strano Performance Parts
800-729-1831
www.stranoparts.com

:o

Well, I'm very glad you are happy. :D

Originally posted by Robs97Z28
The best way to go is with the Koni/ bilstein combo from Strano parts.

while that is a great set up it is hardly reasonably priced, and is more for the avid auotox or road course guys, rather than the non lowering slight better performance daily driver in the city that TerryZ28 is looking for.

Terry could opt to install some Bilstein HD's on the car. $329 for the set of 4. That'd take care of the issues, and get the car to a point like it *should* have come from GM in the first place in terms of the ride/handling.

I will have to disagree on the SLP vs. HD thing thought. SLP take a standard HD and removes 10% of the compression damping and adds rebound damping. I can't figure out why they take the compression out, because by all accounts the HD's are excellent riding shocks. And for stock springs, which are softer than the SLP shocks are designed for, this isn't optimal. You get more/faster compression with the combo of a softer shock and softer spring, and then the rebound is tuned up for the heavier SLP spring, which leads to a possible overdamping situation (where the shock doesn't let the spring fully extend in a timely manner so you have full travel for the next bump).

Guys,
Thanks for the info. I think I will consider your advise, and start off by replacing the shocks/bushings first. I guess if I'm not satisfied after that, I can then replace the springs (budget permitting).

Thanks

Originally posted by TerryZ28
Guys,
Thanks for the info. I think I will consider your advise, and start off by replacing the shocks/bushings first. I guess if I'm not satisfied after that, I can then replace the springs (budget permitting).

Thanks

cool, let us know how it turns out and what you deside on.