Suspension Upgrade Ideas
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Suspension Upgrade Ideas Hi I wand to upgrade my suspension 02 Firebird for mild road racing yet streetable, I would alos like to keep it as close to stock height as the roads in Pa are not all that great. I have about $2k to spend, i would prefer to spend less , looking for options, Car is prettymuch stock , fullexhaust, and intake , and chip. Thanks for any ideas.!
Happy to help... I'm also in PA (western) and am very aware of the roads. 
If you wanted to come by (not sure where you are) I'd be happy to take you for a ride in my cars for a comparison and to show you how well a really killer handling car can work. My Camaro is setup for autox work, nothing is different except for the tires from the way I compete in it--and you'd see it's actually in a lot of ways more comfortable than stock. Firm to be sure, but way, way less harsh.
If you don't want to lower the car, that's fine too. A set of great shocks and swaybars alone will work wonders (hell, the shocks themselves do). All a matter of degrees and how far you want to go.
If you wanted to come by (not sure where you are) I'd be happy to take you for a ride in my cars for a comparison and to show you how well a really killer handling car can work. My Camaro is setup for autox work, nothing is different except for the tires from the way I compete in it--and you'd see it's actually in a lot of ways more comfortable than stock. Firm to be sure, but way, way less harsh.If you don't want to lower the car, that's fine too. A set of great shocks and swaybars alone will work wonders (hell, the shocks themselves do). All a matter of degrees and how far you want to go.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks I see your located in Brookville, I am currentaly in School in Erie and Live near New Stanton, so i could swing by on a trip back and forth , or possibly even make a special trip if i get bored. What are your hours?
You'd want to call me first because I can be out of town racing... also sometimes I have the car apart to work on things.
I'm here most of the time 11-7 during the week, never around weekends usually...
I'm here most of the time 11-7 during the week, never around weekends usually...
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
Trending Topics
No cost ideas really until we hash out what you want parts wise.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
if i were to start over(based on my own personal experience):
-shocks
-swaybars (35/21)
-panhard bar
those would be my 3 first mods, in that order. for shocks, since you have the money just go koni's. had i not gotten my bilstein revalves for literally nothing, that's the route i would have gone.
-shocks
-swaybars (35/21)
-panhard bar
those would be my 3 first mods, in that order. for shocks, since you have the money just go koni's. had i not gotten my bilstein revalves for literally nothing, that's the route i would have gone.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
From: North Dallas
I would say that they are a nice/noticeable upgrade. I went from the stock 32mm (SS and WS6) to Sam's 35mm bar. It was not dramatic but definitely an improvement. In addition to the bars, I have Bilstien HDs, SFCs, and lower control arms. Overall it is much better than stock and does well on the track and even HPDE instructors have complemented it.
i went from 32/19 to 35/21 and i would probably describe it as dramatic. maybe because it was one of the last things i did, but it was definitely one of the biggest overall improvements in ride quality and reduced body roll.
My bars are similarly, but not exactly the same balanced as a 32/19 setup that is stock on a WS6... but about 30% stiffer (actually a little more in the rear). The car gets a lot more crisp, rolls less, and changes directions faster.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
Launching!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
I'm sort of in the same boat as the original poster here. I'm don't mean to hijack the thread but I've got a similar budget -- though maybe a few thousand more and I've been thinking of calling you as well Sam.
Winter is on it's way and I'd like to plan out what I'm going to pick up for the car in the offseason.
Overall, I'm curious as to how well we can make our F-Bodies actually handle...
Would they ever get as good as to be comparible to a C6 Z06 or is that just sheer lunacy? (Koni's, bars, your springs, tires etc...)
I'm don't mean to hijack the thread but I've got a similar budget -- though maybe a few thousand more and I've been thinking of calling you as well Sam. Winter is on it's way and I'd like to plan out what I'm going to pick up for the car in the offseason.
Overall, I'm curious as to how well we can make our F-Bodies actually handle...
Would they ever get as good as to be comparible to a C6 Z06 or is that just sheer lunacy? (Koni's, bars, your springs, tires etc...)
Last edited by Mat; Oct 10, 2009 at 01:50 PM. Reason: wording
i messed around with a c6 z06 one night on some very empty back roads. couldn't outrun him but i kept up for a while. he couldn't shift for his life and probably wasn't pushing it very hard but he was definitely irritated that i was able to stay with him as well as i did.
here's a few past threads on it:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-corvette.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-well-zo6.html
go with a nice suspension setup, ditch a few hundred pounds, learn to drive, and get some reeeeally sticky tires. could probably take a stock one with an average driver.
here's a few past threads on it:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-corvette.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-well-zo6.html
go with a nice suspension setup, ditch a few hundred pounds, learn to drive, and get some reeeeally sticky tires. could probably take a stock one with an average driver.
Last edited by therealcreeper; Oct 11, 2009 at 08:18 PM.
I have 2 C6 Z06s that run in the same club. They are unbelievably fast. They are lighter, have better brakes, better suspension, and way more power. If you put a 600 hp engine in, mega dollar brakes, and completely gutted your car you might get close (to a stock Z06 w good tires). But you definitely wouldn't have a fun street car anymore.
All that said f-bodies are competent track cars. The mods listed in this thread will gain you big improvements. I'll also note the obligatory track time. These cars are not that easy to drive. In most cases the driver's experience level will be the limiting factor. A driver' school, track time, and simple mods will get you a fast f-body at the track. But C6 (and even C5) Z06s are in a higher class for a reason.
I've seen a local V6 f-body (base stripper model w/ updated suspension and tires) completely trash the times of those posted by the big corvette cousins. It usually comes down to a competent driver and seat time.
I'd say shocks, swaybars (biggest improvement ever) and freshen up the bushings on your suspension. Some people don't recommend poly bushings on stuff like the LCA's because they are known to bind.
I'd say shocks, swaybars (biggest improvement ever) and freshen up the bushings on your suspension. Some people don't recommend poly bushings on stuff like the LCA's because they are known to bind.
I've seen a local V6 f-body (base stripper model w/ updated suspension and tires) completely trash the times of those posted by the big corvette cousins. It usually comes down to a competent driver and seat time.
I'd say shocks, swaybars (biggest improvement ever) and freshen up the bushings on your suspension. Some people don't recommend poly bushings on stuff like the LCA's because they are known to bind.
I'd say shocks, swaybars (biggest improvement ever) and freshen up the bushings on your suspension. Some people don't recommend poly bushings on stuff like the LCA's because they are known to bind.
So I guess we should swap our LS1 f-bodies for 6 cylinder f-bodies. Then we could run with the Z06s!
I bet the 2.8l 3rd gens are the way to go!
Give me a break!!
Yeah, some great driver w a v6 f-body could conceivably beat a horrible tool of a driver in a vette. But this is by no means a fair comparison. The more I think about the post, the angrier I get...
Last edited by subtlez28; Oct 12, 2009 at 07:09 AM.
The whole question is a philosophical one, like whether a tree falling without anyone to hear it actually makes a sound.
Can an f-body handles phenominally? Yes. Can it be better than a stock Corvette? Yes. You can play the if/then game until the cows come home, but what does it get you? I don't know many folks who will go buy a Corvette instead of upgrading an f-body based on whether one can "handle" as well---they are completely different cars, differ suspension, different chassis, different prices, etc....
I can embarass most anything through a corner with a pony-car, even if I'm driving both cars, but of course level of prep has something to do with that. And more to the the point a big part of handling to me is confidence and sorry, but most stock Corvettes aren't confidence inspiring at the limit. Hell, read I think Car & Driver's article on the Grand Sport. It's fast, but also very edgy and not confidence inspiring. Good news is we can easily fix that (primarily a shock valving issue).
Can an f-body handles phenominally? Yes. Can it be better than a stock Corvette? Yes. You can play the if/then game until the cows come home, but what does it get you? I don't know many folks who will go buy a Corvette instead of upgrading an f-body based on whether one can "handle" as well---they are completely different cars, differ suspension, different chassis, different prices, etc....
I can embarass most anything through a corner with a pony-car, even if I'm driving both cars, but of course level of prep has something to do with that. And more to the the point a big part of handling to me is confidence and sorry, but most stock Corvettes aren't confidence inspiring at the limit. Hell, read I think Car & Driver's article on the Grand Sport. It's fast, but also very edgy and not confidence inspiring. Good news is we can easily fix that (primarily a shock valving issue).
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
