What can you do to improve the front end feel (steering, handling, making it feel tighter) without getting too crazy and buying aftermarket A-arms and all that jazz?

Besides buying fresh parts, what poly bushings are available for the front end and will they make a big difference?

 

to the top.. cmon guys.

 

bump....

 

The most feel difference you can get is good new tires on the front and an alignment. If the toe in is off it will feel really loose.
Other than that I replaced my rack with a rebuilt one but that was because it was leaking. I put new tie rod ends on at the same time, I drove it straight to a shop to align and it before the alignment it drove way worse that with the old stuff.
By the way replacing the rack is a pain, you either have to pull the motor mounts and lift the engine or cut the bolt on the drivers side rack mount.

 

Yeah I'll have brand new front tires, and I just got new tie rod ends and lower ball joints for both sides... I'm thinking the poly control arm bushings will be a really good improvement based on what everyone has said online, though they had different vehicles.

I just want to do everything I can to improve the front end without going nuts. So basically all the small components and any bushings I can upgrade.

 

What shocks do you have now? What size sway do you have now? Have a STB?

Koni SAs, Strano Sways, UMI STB will make the car feel a world more responsive, esp. in cornering.

 

Feel tighter.. big front swaybar. Higher rate springs (pref shocks to match it).. max out the camber as much as possible. More front PSI in the tires. Even the toe for a street vehicle... a little toe out if you really want it to turn tight. Stickier wider front tires to actually make it turn tighter.

Oh and drive correctly

 

I installed the whole energy suspension kit summit or jegs has em for around 150 plus shipping Itll take 10.5hrs if youve gotta lift But way worth it in my opinion The ride is a LiL stiffer but your car wont feel squishy in the corners I pulled em out of the old firebird and put them in the trans am Im currently building Keep em greased or theyll sqeak other than that I think youll like em I also upgraded the motor and trans mount this time I just need the bumpstops LoL

 

You can put in all the bushings and chassis stiffening **** you want.. you still have the stock front swaybar/springs/shocks. You definitely don't need to change the control arms.

If you want the front end to feel tighter, you should definitely go with what experienced autox or track drivers recommend. They will know what they are talking about

 

A lot can be had with a more aggressive alignment. A more aggressive negative camber, *toe-out*, and a reduction in caster will give you a go-cart feel....bu then you have to worry about tires. haha

The best option to get the car to feel better is to lower it with some good lowering springs, put on performance shocks, and sway bars. These alone will make the car into a totally different animal.

 

You mean toe out?

 

Yep, I'll fix that. I'm always visualizing the camber diagrams where toe-in from above and negative camber from the front look the same.