my vert is really loose!
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 348
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From: Gainesville, FL
my vert is really loose! I swapped cars with my GF this past weekend and now that im back in my car im realizing how bad it drives. When I hit a bump the whole car wiggles. I'm also noticing a squeeking noise from the rear when I pass over certain bumps at driving speed.
I know these cars have cowl shake but it seems almost excessive now.
The car has 70,000 miles on it now. Will buying new shocks stiffen the ride?
I've heard some talk recently about SFC's. If I bought a set would I notice a big difference?
The car feels really loose, I want to stiffen it up if possible. Thanks guys!
I know these cars have cowl shake but it seems almost excessive now.
The car has 70,000 miles on it now. Will buying new shocks stiffen the ride?
I've heard some talk recently about SFC's. If I bought a set would I notice a big difference?
The car feels really loose, I want to stiffen it up if possible. Thanks guys!
Try shocks first, Konis. If you're still not happy, then do the SFCs and a STB. You will gain some noticeable chassis stiffness and lose the cowl flex, at least I did, but you will lose a tiny bit of the comfort the new shocks gave you. The bumps you lost track of after the shocks, you will hear, but not feel very much. Try shocks first (call Strano) and see how that does. If you do SFCs and STB first, like I did - you will be sorry. I should have done shocks first.
I know my car's not a vert, but I had a 96 vert + the principles are the same.
I know my car's not a vert, but I had a 96 vert + the principles are the same.
I started with SFC and a three point STB on my 99 TA WS6 M6 vert. I failed to make those changes to my 91 Z28 vert and the flex literally allowed it to shake bolts and screws loose. I am sure I could use some new shocks but I would start with the SFCs and STB.. Good luck!
a good set of subframes will make a very noticeable improvement in the body flex and ride. I am in need of some better/new shocks now but I will deal with that when I have a little extra $$ around.
-Brian
-Brian
I have Tokicos w/about 35000 miles on em. My 98 A4 Z Vert has 117,000 and has a shudder that sometimes is barely noticeable and sometimes horrible. I had to lose the X brace because I replaced the factory flat Y pipe with a 3" round one. A new 35mm strano front sway bar actually helped a little, but am now thinking about SFCs as well as STB. Should I do the SFCs, STB first or will going to Bilsteins help more?
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Savannah (Rincon) GA
FWIW, I just replaced the shocks (with KYB AGX) on my '94 vert and they changed the whole suspension response for the better. The rear still squeeks on bumps and was told by my friend it is the LCA's...they're shot. Those new UMI SFC's for verts look good too. Good luck. 
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Squeaking doesn't mean it's shot, it means it's dry.
All the rubber wants some kind of lube occasionally.
STB improves cowl shake, but taking off the X-stamping
worsened it back up. Never seen a good replacement
X-, only the SLP (bad joke, even for a skinny stock Y).
A good replacement for that X, perhaps mating up with
the (future) UMI 3-point convertible STB and clearing both
3" Y-pipes and true duals, would sure be nice to see.
All the rubber wants some kind of lube occasionally.
STB improves cowl shake, but taking off the X-stamping
worsened it back up. Never seen a good replacement
X-, only the SLP (bad joke, even for a skinny stock Y).
A good replacement for that X, perhaps mating up with
the (future) UMI 3-point convertible STB and clearing both
3" Y-pipes and true duals, would sure be nice to see.
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Verdad Gallardo Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Savannah (Rincon) GA
Bought the car 6 months ago and am working out the kinks. Curious, how would you lube the rear stock LCA's (no grease fitting)?
Pull them and slather up the bolt holes and the rubber bushing faces
with a good grease (I like the moly/graphite engine assembly lube
but I'm sure there's a "proper" one). Then put them back with the
nuts dogged down to spec. Might as well hit the sway bar bushings
and the Panhard as well; all of them have squeaked for me before,
and haven't since getting greased up a few years back. Good
chance to see whether they are indeed aged to the point of
needing new bushings, you may be lucky on some or all.
with a good grease (I like the moly/graphite engine assembly lube
but I'm sure there's a "proper" one). Then put them back with the
nuts dogged down to spec. Might as well hit the sway bar bushings
and the Panhard as well; all of them have squeaked for me before,
and haven't since getting greased up a few years back. Good
chance to see whether they are indeed aged to the point of
needing new bushings, you may be lucky on some or all.
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: In the DOGHOUSE!
Every vert needs new shox and SFC's. STB and 25mm front sway are also a must if you want your car to handle well as a driver. You don't need to stiffen up your springs unless you are looking to drag the car. Also, be careful in the rear with the trailing arms, sway and panhard, as if you do all these, you'll be making your car very loose (oversteer) as the rear stiffness will be set up for the drag course and not the road course (or street). Good balance is the key. I have the Koni SA's on mine and KBDD's along with the stock springs. I did stiffen up the rear, but am considering going back to the stock trailing arms. I had to set my Koni's up full soft to keep the car in balance. Sam Strano worked with me to get the balance right when I got the Koni's from him. No one knows more than Sam about how to set up an F-Body.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Got mine over the summer, when I first drove it I was like WTF! Since then I have added: STB, Bilstein HD's, rear lca's, panhard and UMI bolt on sfc's, drives like a go cart now, I can't believe the difference, really.
The new issue of High Per Pontiac has an article on installing SFC's on a coupe.The thing is though, that when they were done, they jacked up the car from in front of one rear wheel and the other wheel came off the ground almost as much!!! Amazing!
