Risen from the dead.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 26
Likes: 1
From: Roseland, NJ 07068
Risen from the dead. Hello everone. I am a past participatent of the old WS6 website. I have now recently acquired a 2002 SS with 40,000 miles. It is the closest thing to new not counting my previous 2002 SS that I recently sold with 20,000 miles. Anyway I was wondering what the form member's would recommend strictly for chassis upgrades which would enhance handling and driveability without creating a harsh and overly stiff riding car. I have been through the torque arm, control arm, spring, sway bar you name it scenario, pro stock rear end etc etc and created a phenomenally handling vehicle but at the expense of excessive road noise and vibrations that over a long day left me dazed and confused.
Believe it or not I initially think I will leave the stock size wheels and tires. I would appreciate some comments on spring & shock combos & control bushings. I have no problem with a slightly lower ride height. Hey, just wait until you are in your 70's and you'll also lean toward the geezer ride !
Thank you in advance for your constructive advice.
Believe it or not I initially think I will leave the stock size wheels and tires. I would appreciate some comments on spring & shock combos & control bushings. I have no problem with a slightly lower ride height. Hey, just wait until you are in your 70's and you'll also lean toward the geezer ride !
Thank you in advance for your constructive advice.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
Hello everone. I am a past participatent of the old WS6 website. I have now recently acquired a 2002 SS with 40,000 miles. It is the closest thing to new not counting my previous 2002 SS that I recently sold with 20,000 miles. Anyway I was wondering what the form member's would recommend strictly for chassis upgrades which would enhance handling and driveability without creating a harsh and overly stiff riding car. I have been through the torque arm, control arm, spring, sway bar you name it scenario, pro stock rear end etc etc and created a phenomenally handling vehicle but at the expense of excessive road noise and vibrations that over a long day left me dazed and confused.
Believe it or not I initially think I will leave the stock size wheels and tires. I would appreciate some comments on spring & shock combos & control bushings. I have no problem with a slightly lower ride height. Hey, just wait until you are in your 70's and you'll also lean toward the geezer ride !
Thank you in advance for your constructive advice.
Believe it or not I initially think I will leave the stock size wheels and tires. I would appreciate some comments on spring & shock combos & control bushings. I have no problem with a slightly lower ride height. Hey, just wait until you are in your 70's and you'll also lean toward the geezer ride !
Thank you in advance for your constructive advice.
Actual good shocks will be the #1 suspension piece that will make the biggest difference, assuming everything is in fine working order and not totally worn down or broken. Koni sports are a go to off the shelf shock that will give you phenomenal handling and great ride quality.
Keep your stock spring and get a 35mm front, 21 or 22mm rear swaybar - or keep your stock rear bar.
RUBBER control arm bushings, oem 1LE replacements (moog should carry them).
Thats it! That is really all you need, everything else is either overkill or will do little to nothing for handling. That means you do NOT need an aftermarket torque arm, control arms, relocation brackets, or any chassis bracing - those will do little to nothing for handling and may create NVH that you are trying to avoid.
I am TOTALLY with JD_AMG on this- Konis (set on soft setting), stock springs, bigger front bar. I think you can stay with stock rear bar. I had this setup on my car for years, it was a nice ride - good around corners, not overly harsh. Good enough for a lot of AX fun (when Konis set to firm).
Actual good shocks will be the #1 suspension piece that will make the biggest difference, assuming everything is in fine working order and not totally worn down or broken. Koni sports are a go to off the shelf shock that will give you phenomenal handling and great ride quality.
Keep your stock spring and get a 35mm front, 21 or 22mm rear swaybar - or keep your stock rear bar.
RUBBER control arm bushings, oem 1LE replacements (moog should carry them).
Thats it! That is really all you need, everything else is either overkill or will do little to nothing for handling. That means you do NOT need an aftermarket torque arm, control arms, relocation brackets, or any chassis bracing - those will do little to nothing for handling and may create NVH that you are trying to avoid.
Keep your stock spring and get a 35mm front, 21 or 22mm rear swaybar - or keep your stock rear bar.
RUBBER control arm bushings, oem 1LE replacements (moog should carry them).
Thats it! That is really all you need, everything else is either overkill or will do little to nothing for handling. That means you do NOT need an aftermarket torque arm, control arms, relocation brackets, or any chassis bracing - those will do little to nothing for handling and may create NVH that you are trying to avoid.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, Indiana
Red, this is just a longer winded response than my previous post. I recognize that you did ask for advice on minor upgrades in the chassis dept. The fact is, you already have that in the SS model. You already have wider tires, upgraded shocks and springs. Sure, are Koni Sports considered a higher quality shock than the Bilstein? Yes, but will you really feel a difference even driving at 9/10s. Stiffer sway bars are great, but don't really provide better handling until you are pushing pretty hard. Poly sway bar bushings are a cheap and easy modification, probably worth doing. In fact, as you already know, NO mods make much of a difference until you have exceeded the capabilities of the parts you are replacing. At 40,000 miles, your existing parts have a lot of capabilities.
As I mentioned before, seats make a big difference. After having high performance seats, I consider it the #1 mod. I would bet money you would find more satisfaction in your overall driving experience after spending the same amount of resources on seats as you would on springs and shocks. Definitely an easier/cheaper install. Every feeling that takes place in the car comes to you through the steering wheel and seat. Steering wheels are more of a compromise though as you give up the air bag and some electronic controls.
As I mentioned before, seats make a big difference. After having high performance seats, I consider it the #1 mod. I would bet money you would find more satisfaction in your overall driving experience after spending the same amount of resources on seats as you would on springs and shocks. Definitely an easier/cheaper install. Every feeling that takes place in the car comes to you through the steering wheel and seat. Steering wheels are more of a compromise though as you give up the air bag and some electronic controls.
Last edited by stp001; Dec 6, 2017 at 02:07 PM.
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TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
No no no sorry I should have clarified. He is looking to do things that wont hurt ride quality, lowering springs will make the ride stiffer and sometimes harsher over certain conditions but most certainly improve handling. Keeping the stock springs will give the best ride quality when paired with good shocks while still handling good.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
Red, this is just a longer winded response than my previous post. I recognize that you did ask for advice on minor upgrades in the chassis dept. The fact is, you already have that in the SS model. You already have wider tires, upgraded shocks and springs. Sure, are Koni Sports considered a higher quality shock than the Bilstein? Yes, but will you really feel a difference even driving at 9/10s. Stiffer sway bars are great, but don't really provide better handling until you are pushing pretty hard. Poly sway bar bushings are a cheap and easy modification, probably worth doing. In fact, as you already know, NO mods make much of a difference until you have exceeded the capabilities of the parts you are replacing. At 40,000 miles, your existing parts have a lot of capabilities.
I replaced my "better WS6" decarbons right around 40,000-50,000 miles and it was by far the biggest improvement to my car to date.
GOOD shocks first. GOOD sway bars second. GOOD lowering springs 3rd (if you want to lower the car). And a GOOD Watts link fourth.
Those are the big 4 with regard to performance handling. Note the word GOOD in those, because there are poor versions of all of those things out there.
Those are the big 4 with regard to performance handling. Note the word GOOD in those, because there are poor versions of all of those things out there.
__________________
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
Listen to Sam as he "knows" these cars intimately.. For me ( 53 y/o) I am picking up another 99SS.. My first mods will include SAM STRANO springs, Bilsteins, UMI sways, LCA's, Adj PHR, SFC's, along with some 17x11's. To me, this is about as good as it gets with a 4th gen Fbod... I also own a nicely built C6Z06 and have owned built C5Z06's..That being said, I cut my teeth on Fbods and always find myself wanting another one. These are great cars right out of the box. Adding these items will enhance the capabilities of an already nimble car.
Listen to Sam as he "knows" these cars intimately.. For me ( 53 y/o) I am picking up another 99SS.. My first mods will include SAM STRANO springs, Bilsteins, UMI sways, LCA's, Adj PHR, SFC's, along with some 17x11's. To me, this is about as good as it gets with a 4th gen Fbod... I also own a nicely built C6Z06 and have owned built C5Z06's..That being said, I cut my teeth on Fbods and always find myself wanting another one. These are great cars right out of the box. Adding these items will enhance the capabilities of an already nimble car.
After having C5's and a C6's (Z06's and Grand Sports), I also found myself wanting another F-body, something I can screw with more and not feel bad about losing a lot of value, which is why I bought one after having sold my White one 5 years or so ago.
Remember that I make sway bars too, and in fact was the first to make the 35/22 hollow setup. And I sell them for less too. Lots of springs in stock. Bilstein isn't a terrible choice but if you want the best handling car, I would look to Koni Sports, as well as a Watts Link.
Remember I am a full UMI dealer and honor their discounts when they offer them, (like tomorrow) if you want to stay on their bars, also on the Watts link.
__________________
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
Thanks 01Z0H6!
After having C5's and a C6's (Z06's and Grand Sports), I also found myself wanting another F-body, something I can screw with more and not feel bad about losing a lot of value, which is why I bought one after having sold my White one 5 years or so ago.
Remember that I make sway bars too, and in fact was the first to make the 35/22 hollow setup. And I sell them for less too. Lots of springs in stock. Bilstein isn't a terrible choice but if you want the best handling car, I would look to Koni Sports, as well as a Watts Link.
Remember I am a full UMI dealer and honor their discounts when they offer them, (like tomorrow) if you want to stay on their bars, also on the Watts link.
After having C5's and a C6's (Z06's and Grand Sports), I also found myself wanting another F-body, something I can screw with more and not feel bad about losing a lot of value, which is why I bought one after having sold my White one 5 years or so ago.
Remember that I make sway bars too, and in fact was the first to make the 35/22 hollow setup. And I sell them for less too. Lots of springs in stock. Bilstein isn't a terrible choice but if you want the best handling car, I would look to Koni Sports, as well as a Watts Link.
Remember I am a full UMI dealer and honor their discounts when they offer them, (like tomorrow) if you want to stay on their bars, also on the Watts link.