I bought a 2000 V6 Camaro vert on eBay from a private seller that only had it a couple months. It had 90,000 miles and a loose ride and the seller said that is the way convertibles are because they don't have a roof. I put Bilstien shocks on, but that didn't help. It is the worst riding car i have ever had.
The car feels like it flexes when hitting certain bumps or going over bumpy roads. It seems to vibrate 2 or 3 times. I have had other people drive it, and they say it is different but don't know why. Some say it should be very stiff with the extra support on the convertible. If both sides hit the same bump at the same time, like railraod tracks, this doesn't happen, only if the bumps or holes are diferrent on each side.
I never had a vert before, but I had an '85 Camaro, '87 Firebird Formula, and a '90 Vette, and none rode this poorly. Has anyone had this problem with verts?
Another problem is that it starts vibrating at 50 mph, then smooths out around 60 mph. I had the tires balanced twice, then bought new tires and that didn't help.

 

warped rotors can cause the vibration too. as for the ride quality its becuse its a vert. subframe connectors, lca's , tq arm, phb, a arms etc will help. but subframe connectors will make a big difference

 

I installed SFC's on my car ind it improved the ride SOO much. It effects everything. If you decide on SFC's, get the double diamonds from SLP. One of the strongest designs. Get the STB w/ it too.

 

2000 convertible
slp's wont fit convertible

as far as i know there are only two brands of sfc's that are made for convertibles
addco, sold by sam strano
and bmr

 

this is a very poor ride.
[IMG][/IMG]

seriously, check the front end for bad ball joints & inner and outer tie rods, for the vibration.
try some sfc's for the body flex.

 

Thanks. After reading this and other testimonies on SFC's, I am leaning that way. I was originally told they wouldn't help much since conertibles come with sfc's. Does anyone have a vert that they put them on?

 

I know exactly the feeling you're talking about. It's almost like a shudder when you hit a bump with only one wheel. With the top up, you can sort of see the windshield or something lightly shake in your peripheral vision. I'm glad I'm not alone!

I am eventually going to add subframe connectors because they made a nice difference in my other Camaro and that was a T-top. So I bet it would help quite a bit on a convertible. But right now I'm trying to figure out other gremlins, like a lot of drivetrain clunking, mostly during turns, which I think might be the rear. ARRRGGGHHH.

 

sfc should help imensely...

or you could go all out and throw a cage in it....easy install since it's a vert

 

Agreed, the results those steel bars made to my car have been tremendous.

 

I checked with Addco and was told they don't make them anymore. All that I could find were BMR and some on eBay that a guy in Albany, NY makes. Any comments on which would be better?

 

Hard to say what kind of work the guy in NY does. BMR though, is a very reputable brand with good quality, durable parts. That is where I would put my money.

 

I've been procastinatig getting SFC's for my vert... I recently decided it's time after seeing my friends car (M6, Hardtop) on a lift side by side with my car on a lift. My car flexed enough that the passenger door wouldnt open. Also just jacking our cars up on the street you can see how much more ridgid his ride is, his car will lift up 2 or 3 wheels when jacking one side up.

teyssier do you have a link with the "guy in albany's" SFC's?

 

2000GTP - Thanks for the advise. I appreciate the knowledge you have gained through experience. I agree it would seem better buying from a reputable supplier, but from the pictures, the BMR for the convertible dosn't look like it connects the front to the back like the other one does. It look like it welds to the original subframe to make it more rigid. The other one looks like it bolts front to back, so I didn't know if one design was better than the other.
toby360 - Since this guy isn't a supporting supplier, I sent the directions in a private message.

 

Are you sure? Addco is still listing them and Strano has them listed as well for the Convertibles.....

 

That is one of the frustrating things about the internet, information is out dated and it doesn't get removed. I just called Sam Strano and he confirmed that Addco does not make them anymore, but another manufacturer is developing them, which he will probably carry in the future.