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how to improve ride quality?

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Old Dec 1, 2003 | 11:24 PM
  #1  
HtownZ's Avatar
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how to improve ride quality?

does anybody have any suggestions so my 3-year-old car can stop riding like a 30-year-old car?its ridiculous, the smallest bump on the road can be felt. any suggestions?what shocks, springs, bushings?help!!!!!!
Old Dec 1, 2003 | 11:52 PM
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The stock DeCarbons suck, and yours are probably shot (I've heard they don't last past 30k.) I'd replace those first.
Old Dec 2, 2003 | 04:06 AM
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I also vote for replacing the shocks. SLP Bilsteins are what I would suggest.
Old Dec 2, 2003 | 12:42 PM
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What size rims/tires do you have? have you done any other suspension mods to the car?
Old Dec 2, 2003 | 01:36 PM
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i first had 18" wheels, i now went to a 17" wheel, and before i did that, i thought i was gonna have a better ride with the smaller wheel....yeah, its a lot worse. suspension is stock.
Old Dec 2, 2003 | 02:03 PM
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Did you put a different profile tire on the 17' rims? 275's or did you go smaller? what kind of tires do you have. I'd probably check the shocks, if everything is still stock. Stock shocks arent that bad... really.
Old Dec 2, 2003 | 09:31 PM
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A heavy wheel and tire combo will degrade the ride, and a lighter wheel and tire will improve the ride. 16" drag radials ride nicely
Old Dec 3, 2003 | 12:29 AM
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I think you need to know what you want in your ride. If you're complaining about bumps, you should probably put mushy shocks on there, get lower rate springs, and be done with it. Our cars are for performance, and most of the time, if you want good handling, thing are going to be tight.

I don't know any 30 year old cars that can handle like a stock F-Body
Old Dec 4, 2003 | 05:07 PM
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Like RS Dragster said, Getting new shocks won't help especially Bilsteins. The stock DeCarbon shocks on my 1994 Trans Am were still good at 94,000 miles.

These aren't the kind of cars that you buy for a smooth ride, with my SLP/Bilstein suspension If you spit your gum out on the freeway I will feel it when I run it over!

The V6 cars do however have a softer ride de to smaller sway bars and softer springs.
Old Dec 4, 2003 | 07:56 PM
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Mine has 56K and I know what you mean.
I might go with Bilstein HD in the rear and see if
it helps. My front doesn't bang that hard plus
with my LCA's its worse than I expected.
Old Dec 4, 2003 | 08:24 PM
  #11  
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Originally posted by CODY BEHNKE
The stock DeCarbon shocks on my 1994 Trans Am were still good at 94,000 miles.
94,000 miles? I find that hard to believe.

What's your definition of "good"? I'm running 62k on my stock shocks, and I can tell they're shot. This car's never been run hard, either (no drag strip or auto-x runs, daily driven, etc.)
Old Dec 5, 2003 | 12:44 AM
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well i dont mean to say that i want my car to ride like a Z71, but i sure do know what im talking about. i had 2 mustangs and 3 camaros before, and trust me, the rustangs feel a whole lot better than a camaro when driving on a rough road. now dont get me wrong, i know about handling, and i know the camaros handle a whlole lot better, but then again, i dont drive my car in a road course everyday, but i sure do drive it down some nasty roads everyday.
Old Dec 5, 2003 | 12:46 AM
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The mustangs feel better because of the IRS.

As far as a Z71, their suspension is alot stiffer than ours. The only reason it's semi-soft is because all the sidewall the tires have.
Old Dec 5, 2003 | 02:03 PM
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thak you guys!!
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