Stealthrider

I currently own a 100% bone stock 2002 Pontiac Trans Am Firehawk. It is a daily driver in the spring, summer, and fall. I need to replace my shocks and would like to use this opportunity to make some upgrades to the suspension.
I plan on installing a 383 stroker some time next year and possibly supercharging later. I also plan to replace my stock 275/40/17 tires and 17x9 wheels with 18 inch or 19 inch wheels. What I am looking for is the best performing suspension while maintaining the stock ride and stock ride height. Due to speed bumps and the horrible roads in Michigan I don't want to lower the car or have it ride harsher than it currently does. In summary I have the following questions:

1. What combination will give me the best handling while maintaining or improving the stock ride and maintaining the stock ride height?

2. Will I need to strengthen the chassis for the 383 and maybe/maybe not supercharging in the future?

JD_AMG

Look under the car and check what shocks you currently have, you may already have the optional bilstiens (yellow/blue). The stock decarbons everyone hates are orange/black. Also measure your swaybar width so you are not buying something you already have.
FYI going with taller wheels is going to diminish ride quality.
Good shocks (i.e. Koni SA's: http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=21&ModelID=8 or higher end) - will ride significantly better than stock decarbons (think BMW-like vs the S10 truck like ride the stock decarbons give), and may ride marginally better than bilstiens, Ive heard both ways on that. Handling, balance, feel and control will be a night and day difference with konis, drives like a different car.

Good matching swaybars (35mm front/22mm rear is a proven balanced match) http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...=129&ModelID=8 or http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...roducts_id=292

If you want you can look into a watts link to replace the factory PHB to get rid of the side to side movement the design has:
http://fays2.net/
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=70&ModelID=8

Consider replacing your bushings (NO poly - poly in parts that need to articulate will hurt ride, handling and potentially cause parts to fail)
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=19&ModelID=8

Thats basically it, everything else will only make a marginal difference at best and may hurt ride.

I won't hurt, you can look into a set of SFC's. I have a set welded in but they did nothing for me.

Check out these for a good read too:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...eal-world.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...up-review.html

Stealthrider

I curretly have the stock DeCarbons.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

JD has learned well.....

Basically you can do everything we'd do normally, except the springs. The shocks still give better damping control and if you go with Koni the ability to tweak the rebound (which alters how the car responds, rolls, takes a set, etc). The swaybars still work the same way, they add wheel rate when you lean on them in corners. The Watts link still works the same was by keeping the roll center in the middle of the car and not letting the body swing around......

SSCamaro99_3

iTrader: (1)

For him, and me (we are both after better handling).....What is a real good front alignment setting for stock ride height people that want better response from there car.

Personally, I need to replace my shocks (Bilsteins most likely), will remain stock height, and will probably order up some NT-05's today. Have Strano sway bars.

Stealthrider

Thanks. This is exactly what I want to do. I'll slowly collect the parts to get them all installed at one time.

libertyforall1776

iTrader: (2)

I did all of what JD said, but still need to replace a few bushings, but also added a shock tower brace (noticeable that the two wheels track together better in corners, u-turns for instance -- first mod I did), and still plan a Watt's Link...

Dustin AZ

iTrader: (1)

So, does this mean the SLP package (with Bilstein shocks/SLP spec Eibachs) that Strano offers would make a significant difference on a bone stock '02 WS6 with 41k?

RevGTO

iTrader: (12)

The improvement will depend on how worn your stock shocks are. It will help, but it may not be dramatic. On some cars, the stock shocks are shot by 40k. On others, like my brother's WS6, they are still doing a decent job of damping.