Handles like jello, Z28 to SS conversion
08-08-2009, 02:24 AM
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Handles like jello, Z28 to SS conversion I have a Z28 that I converted to an SS with all original GM parts.
I also have a real SS.
The front shocks and springs are the same.
The rear springs came out of a older SS and they have a larger diameter wire, they are shorter but the ride height between the two cars is the same.
It has boxed stock LCA's with Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings.
It has a stock panhard bar.
The rear sway bars are the same. The Z28 has Sensa-trac rear shocks. The SS has stock.
It also has the stock Z28 front sway bar.
All the bushings are good.
The SS has BFG KDWS tires with about 1/3 tread left.
The Z28 has new Riken raptors, same size. I read that a new tire can make a car handle like this one is, like when you turn the wheel left to right real fast it feels like the rear floats, feels very unstable.
The real SS is tight as hell, handles great.
Doesn't seem to have body roll but I'm going to upgrade the front swaybar soon.
Any ideas as to whats making the car feel like the rear tires are made of jello? thats as close an explaination as I can think of.
I also have a real SS.
The front shocks and springs are the same.
The rear springs came out of a older SS and they have a larger diameter wire, they are shorter but the ride height between the two cars is the same.
It has boxed stock LCA's with Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings.
It has a stock panhard bar.
The rear sway bars are the same. The Z28 has Sensa-trac rear shocks. The SS has stock.
It also has the stock Z28 front sway bar.
All the bushings are good.
The SS has BFG KDWS tires with about 1/3 tread left.
The Z28 has new Riken raptors, same size. I read that a new tire can make a car handle like this one is, like when you turn the wheel left to right real fast it feels like the rear floats, feels very unstable.
The real SS is tight as hell, handles great.
Doesn't seem to have body roll but I'm going to upgrade the front swaybar soon.
Any ideas as to whats making the car feel like the rear tires are made of jello? thats as close an explaination as I can think of.
08-08-2009, 10:39 AM
#4
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: back to Jax :(
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a Z28 that I converted to an SS with all original GM parts.
I also have a real SS.
The front shocks and springs are the same.
The rear springs came out of a older SS and they have a larger diameter wire, they are shorter but the ride height between the two cars is the same.
It has boxed stock LCA's with Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings.
It has a stock panhard bar.
The rear sway bars are the same. The Z28 has Sensa-trac rear shocks. The SS has stock.
It also has the stock Z28 front sway bar.
All the bushings are good.
The SS has BFG KDWS tires with about 1/3 tread left.
The Z28 has new Riken raptors, same size. I read that a new tire can make a car handle like this one is, like when you turn the wheel left to right real fast it feels like the rear floats, feels very unstable.
The real SS is tight as hell, handles great.
Doesn't seem to have body roll but I'm going to upgrade the front swaybar soon.
Any ideas as to whats making the car feel like the rear tires are made of jello? thats as close an explaination as I can think of.
I also have a real SS.
The front shocks and springs are the same.
The rear springs came out of a older SS and they have a larger diameter wire, they are shorter but the ride height between the two cars is the same.
It has boxed stock LCA's with Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings.
It has a stock panhard bar.
The rear sway bars are the same. The Z28 has Sensa-trac rear shocks. The SS has stock.
It also has the stock Z28 front sway bar.
All the bushings are good.
The SS has BFG KDWS tires with about 1/3 tread left.
The Z28 has new Riken raptors, same size. I read that a new tire can make a car handle like this one is, like when you turn the wheel left to right real fast it feels like the rear floats, feels very unstable.
The real SS is tight as hell, handles great.
Doesn't seem to have body roll but I'm going to upgrade the front swaybar soon.
Any ideas as to whats making the car feel like the rear tires are made of jello? thats as close an explaination as I can think of.
The Z28 has Sensa-trac rear shocks.
08-08-2009, 11:04 AM
#5
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yea, the shocks, they were brand new when I got the car.
They're weird because the first 1 or 2 strokes (when pushing down on the car) are loose but it stiffens right up after that.
Is there any cost effective shock that will perform more like stock or better?
About the tires, I've tried all different pressures. These are the first tires I've seen that had a max inflation pressure of 51psi. I keep it at the stock 30 psi just like my other car.
I think it might be the tires. I mounted the BFG's on my SS in '05 and they were a major pain in the *** because the outer sidewall is so stiff.
These Rikens aren't as stiff, but at $99 a piece from Summit I had a feeling they might not handle the best. Now this car dead hooks from a dead stop on the street, and it ran 12 flat at the track with these.
I even read up about tire break in, and other things on Tire Rack. Interesting but I don't think thats the problem, maybe it's the design. Or the shocks. Or any other ideas you guys might have.
They're weird because the first 1 or 2 strokes (when pushing down on the car) are loose but it stiffens right up after that.
Is there any cost effective shock that will perform more like stock or better?
About the tires, I've tried all different pressures. These are the first tires I've seen that had a max inflation pressure of 51psi. I keep it at the stock 30 psi just like my other car.
I think it might be the tires. I mounted the BFG's on my SS in '05 and they were a major pain in the *** because the outer sidewall is so stiff.
These Rikens aren't as stiff, but at $99 a piece from Summit I had a feeling they might not handle the best. Now this car dead hooks from a dead stop on the street, and it ran 12 flat at the track with these.
I even read up about tire break in, and other things on Tire Rack. Interesting but I don't think thats the problem, maybe it's the design. Or the shocks. Or any other ideas you guys might have.
08-08-2009, 11:59 AM
#6
I noticed my car felt like jello going around corners when i switched from kuhmo ecsta mx's to those riken raptors. And i will say that will be the last set of rikens i ever buy. There are much better tires out there for handling, which i like to go around corners alot.
08-08-2009, 01:51 PM
#7
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MA
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Never heard of Riken tires before. Tires with crap sidewalls will make the car float a little. Both Monroe sensatracks and stock decarbons should be junk.
What year SS is your actual SS? I get confused when people explain what 1LE's had each year.. is it possible your actual SS has different shocks?
What year SS is your actual SS? I get confused when people explain what 1LE's had each year.. is it possible your actual SS has different shocks?
Trending Topics
08-08-2009, 04:32 PM
#8
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My real SS is a 2002.
The shocks the fronts on the 2001 Z28 say decarbon.
The fronts on the SS look identical but say Delphi. And they both have the same code M48.
Somewhere a month or so ago I found a website that decoded a few springs. The front springs on both cars have the same number on the tag.
The shocks the fronts on the 2001 Z28 say decarbon.
The fronts on the SS look identical but say Delphi. And they both have the same code M48.
Somewhere a month or so ago I found a website that decoded a few springs. The front springs on both cars have the same number on the tag.
