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Just purchased a 1998 TA convertible, 106k miles. Looking to make it a daily driver and give it the smoothest ride possible with a reasonable budget. Any suggestions on which shocks and components to start with? Thank you
Bilsteins all the way
Strano springs or cut a coil off stock springs
The Koni adjustables on full soft actually ride smoother and softer than Bilstein's that are not adjustable.
Strano springs are not for "Goldfish on the front seat" smooth and comfy,
and as for "cut a coil off stock springs". Really, really a great way to make the car ride harsher, clumsier and embarrassing. FE 1 springs would work a whole lot better. V6 springs would too.
The vert benefits greatly from sub frame connectors, welded in is best.
I'd love to sell more springs, and as for lowering springs I think mine are some of the best. BUT they are still lowering springs. Shorter, stiffer springs is not the way to get the best ride. Stock springs and the best shock you can put on the car, that's how you do that. Bilstein or Koni Sport set fairly soft is the way here, with the latter giving more options on exactly how the car feels. Those are the only two worth considering here.
__________________ 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
I have used Sam's springs on multipe 4th gen fbods.. usually w the Bilstein HD's... Your Convertible is heavier and has way more flex than the hard top, t top cars.
Recently picked up an 02 WS6... I have Sam's ultimate set up still in boxes... Koni yellow adj, Strano springs, Strano front/rear sways... Trans took a crap, so first things first. I'll post up once Sam's set up is installed...
Originally Posted by Sam Strano
I'd love to sell more springs, and as for lowering springs I think mine are some of the best. BUT they are still lowering springs. Shorter, stiffer springs is not the way to get the best ride. Stock springs and the best shock you can put on the car, that's how you do that. Bilstein or Koni Sport set fairly soft is the way here, with the latter giving more options on exactly how the car feels. Those are the only two worth considering here.
The Koni adjustables on full soft actually ride smoother and softer than Bilstein's that are not adjustable.
Strano springs are not for "Goldfish on the front seat" smooth and comfy,
and as for "cut a coil off stock springs". Really, really a great way to make the car ride harsher, clumsier and embarrassing. FE 1 springs would work a whole lot better. V6 springs would too.
The vert benefits greatly from sub frame connectors, welded in is best.
THE softest, best riding are the Koni's set on full soft. A great, luxurious ride (for a F body) with any base level springs (FE1 V6 and FE1 V8 springs are very similar as the weight of those 4th gen engines was very similar). Those are the only options worth considering.
THE softest, best riding are the Koni's set on full soft. A great, luxurious ride (for a F body) with any base level springs (FE1 V6 and FE1 V8 springs are very similar as the weight of those 4th gen engines was very similar). Those are the only options worth considering.
THE softest, best riding are the Koni's set on full soft. A great, luxurious ride (for a F body) with any base level springs (FE1 V6 and FE1 V8 springs are very similar as the weight of those 4th gen engines was very similar). Those are the only options worth considering.
Any suggestions on where to find a set of FE1 springs? I’d like to replace my lowering springs but it’s extremely difficult to find a set of low mileage OEM’s or a set that don’t make it sit higher than stock.
Any suggestions on where to find a set of FE1 springs? I’d like to replace my lowering springs but it’s extremely difficult to find a set of low mileage OEM’s or a set that don’t make it sit higher than stock.
1999 Chevrolet Camaro Parts & Accesories | Partsgeek.com
A weird site but they are very helpful with odd and unusual requests. Of course, uncountable spring sets of 4 matched springs were thrown away when someone bought an aftermarket set. If you can find them, you want a set of four made for V6 or V8. Needle in a haystack after more than at least 21 years. The only springs that will give you what you want are those originally for the "base" model, aka FE 1. Hyperco (hypercoils.com)
You would have to talk with someone there for help. Hopefully someone knowledgeable. Not what most people look for. Sam Strano having no suggestions is a bad sign. Worse is knowing someone has all four springs out in the barn.
Last edited by LSX Thunder; Aug 19, 2023 at 07:22 PM.
Just a quick note here. The 4th gen chassis was designed all along knowing it was going to be a convertible as part of the line up. This is not a car that they had and then after the fact ripped the top open on. I.E, they are not the flex messes that 3rd gens or Fox/SN95's are. See also the extra stuff under them from GM. AND of course we can help you with SFC's and STB's and things to help stiffen the chassis more too if you want.
If there is nothing wrong with the stock springs, just use the stock springs. There is no reason to be chasing other springs around. No stock GM springs on these were bone crushing, but all the shocks sucked. Put good shocks on, and enjoy. Along that line, koni 20% ends in less than 10 days.
__________________ 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
Just purchased a 1998 TA convertible, 106k miles. Looking to make it a daily driver and give it the smoothest ride possible with a reasonable budget. Any suggestions on which shocks and components to start with? Thank you
As Sam intimated, even the OEM T/A springs are not hard riding or in any way was overly stiff, nor do they ride too low. I measured my 01 SS with OEM wheels and tires, it sat 28.5" from the fender top to the ground F+R, definitely on the high end of GM's variation as some were as low as 26.? with OEM wheel/tire. Rode a little rough but with no rebound control. Installed the Koni adjusted full soft. Huge improvement. By the time it got Michelin Pilot Super Sports the ride was "luxurious", nay sayers be damned. It is the junk OEM shocks, worn out as well too soon, that is the culprit. Your springs and the Koni adjustable can be exactly what you want. Just changing the adjustment ever more toward full hard turns the car into something more exotic but forget about a soft ride as you approach full hard. Just like ever stiffer sway bars do.
For the ignorant who insist there is no difference between the hardtop/T-Top car and the Vert. 2001 SS convertible, which also has a multi-points tunnel brace, unlike the other cars, both OEM. NO 3-point SFC can fit because the chassis also has an OEM connection from the tunnel to the outside edge. A welded in box on both sides that makes it impossible to fit most aftermarket SFC/s.
Please look at the oem tunnel brace rear attachment points. NOTHING like that is on any 4th gen HT or T top. Which is why almost all the after market SFC makers say NOT for convertibles. Unique to 4th gen vert OEM extensions block both sides
vert only
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Looking for the best ride setup 
