My 2002 Camaro Z28 with 10k miles,subframes, stb, sway bars and stock 16" wheels with stock GSC's didn't perform too well on a bumpy parking lot, I had 44psi and the car leaned a lot, what would be the best upgrade to keep it from leaning and handle better? Shocks, springs, or new tires for 16" rims, or lca's and panhard? I can only affor one of these right now, which one will work the best with the mods I have already? I APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE.

[This message has been edited by jp2002ls1 (edited July 29, 2002).]

 

If you are racing on a bumpy course, making the suspension stiffer might actually hurt your cornering. Also, a little bit of lean is not necessarily that bad a thing. You can make an objective measurement first: Mark out a large circle in a large space. Time yourself in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions for max steady state cornering. If the times are very different something is off. You can also calculate your g forces via v^2/r to see how close you are coming to 1.0 g.

 

Sorry I wasn't there this weekend. I saw 270 cars registered and memories of the Detroit Memorial Day 13 hour autocross came to mind. I figured I could use a Sunday off.

I don't remember which sway bars you're running. Can you refresh my memory? There's been a LOT of discussion around here and other boards lately about spring rates and sway bar combinations for autocrossing and road course events. You might want to start there, but if you're running stock shocks and springs I'm telling you now that will be your best upgrade. You don't have to go very stiff with spring rates, and I'd just focus on the front. Leave your stock rear springs for now. Get Bilsteins valved for your front spring rate, and voila, instant competitive ESP car. After that a Torsen T2R limited slip will be a very close 2nd, and it may very well be a better upgrade for lap times.

Then again, my 16x9.5" wheels and Hoosiers are still for sale. I finally corded one of them after cutting the tire. The other 3 are just fine for quite a few more events though. Email me if you want some pictures or are interested.


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Mike Taylor
'94 Formula
Holley cold air, Borla downpipe, Walker UltraFlo catback, BMR STB, BMR PHR, Ground Control coilovers, Bilsteins, 16x9.5 Rikens, Hoosier 275/45/16 A3S03, G2 Torque Arm, Torsen T2R

 

Mike, I have an extra Hoosier 275. its a roasd race one...

bobc

[This message has been edited by BobC (edited July 30, 2002).]

 

JP.
I know you want to get rid of the excess body roll. However you will reduce lap times most with a set of larger wheels (width) and r compound tires.
However if you learn to be fast (relatively speaking) on your current narrow street tires you will be one step up when you put on R compounds.
Everything that an F bod does will be compounded. You will HAVE to be smooth, you will HAVE to brake early.
The F bod is notorious for push but most of that is driver induced. Once you get it pushing you killed yourself. Speed fall WAY off both during that corner and the folling bit after it.
I know you really want those shocks and springs so go ahead. Budget being a concern you will want to go with the revalved Bilstein and GC kit. You need to order from Strano to get the revalve plus his prices are as good as anyones. You will want to do this BEFORE august 31st as the prices will go up after that. Also just get the fronts for now. I have a set of Koni SA's for the rear that you could try. Once you get the front setup you can throw these on. I will sell them cheap and you could save yourself some money. The rears are at 75 each now.
If you are interested you can co-drive my car at the K-zoo event on the 17th. This will give you an idea of where you will be headed and where you want to go. You will be happy I am sure.
So like I said before you want
R tires
springs shocks
T2R
Let me know what you think on driving my car.

 

Lonnie,

I think Sam said on the other forum that the new prices come into effect on 8/2. That's not too far away now.