Sam Strano strikes again!

Wow, what an improvement in cornering and lane changes! Some of my routine driving includes a two lane with an S curve that slopes down hill. Before, the car felt like it would rolllllll to one side, then rolllll to the other side. The car now simply turns left, then right though the S curve. It want to take the S curve faster. I checked to see how off center the axle was using the weighted string taped to the fender method. Amazingly there is only 1/8" difference.

 

Looks nice...I'm glad your happy

Do you have revalved Bilsteins or normal Bilstein HDs?

 

Awesome, I use the same setup and LOVE it.

 

Looks pretty good.

 

Thanks! Sorry, I should have mentioned the shocks are revalves and the springs are an LT1 pro kit.

 

That makes a huge difference from LS1 Pro Kit and Bilstein HDs!

I was surprised to hear that was Sam's recommendation at first.

 

Why did you go with the LT1 over the LS1 kit?

 

Good question.....

 

Using the LT1 instead of LS1 prokit was suggested by Sam. Innitially it was a surprise to me like ZaneO commented. This was from a phone conversation in early December. Don't quote me but I 'believe' he said Eibach softened up the front springs for the LS1. Sam 'may' give different advice to someone else and their driving habits/use of the car. Maybe Sam will see this and chime it. At any rate I am very happy with the stance, ride, handling, etc. Sam is the man!

 

LT1 Eibachs are progressive rate in the front and LS1 Eibachs are linear in the front.

 

I thought progressive rate springs were next to impossible to dampen with shocks???

 

Is the ride more harsh when you hit bumps? Is it more uncomfortable?

 

The majority of aftermarket springs are progressive rate. They are harder to damp, but not impossible.

 

sounds nice, i need to get me some re-valved bilsteins now. my sportlines ride pretty harsh on the stockers. nice car by the way

 

Thanks abadss.

blackbird, If I were a 4 door Cadillac driver I would call it harsh. But being used to and enjoying these cars as we all do, I would describe it as a firm ride. I does not send every road ripple to the car seat, no teeth jarring.

 

Wayne, what size are your wheels? they look awesome

 

Where did you get them installed? That SS definitely look nice!

 

Thanks ddelallata and WS-Sick. The wheels are 17x9.5. The install was done at Smitty's Speed Shop on Huffman Road.

 

I'm so happy to hear you are pleased Wayne, and I appreciate you saying so out loud.

I can tell already that there is some wondering why Wayne got what he got. You must realize that there is no one setup that is best for everyone!!!!!! That feeling exists because so many shops to that to people. I have preferences too, but listen and discuss with people to determine what suits what then want or need the best.

Yes, we went with LT1 spring here. Yes they are progressive, but it's a situation where numbers on paper and reality don't match up. The way the LT1 springs are wound, the "soft" end goes dead about any time the car is on the ground. It's nowhere near as progressive the numbers would seem them to make them. Ride height was a concern here, which was part of the equation also, as was some ride quality from what I can recall (Wayne, chime in if I have something wrong....).

Progressive springs are not impossible to damp, but are much harder to damp because the rate is always variable. Again, the LT1 Pro-kits are in reality less progressive dynamically than they appear on paper. Just look at the way the springs are wound. The minute you put weight on the fronts, 4 of the coils go dead which means they are out of play...... The remaining coils are spaced very equally and because of that aren't really too "progressive" anymore.

And BTW, the ability to use these springs also included the fact Wayne was willing to go Revalves to control them. They aren't soft, and need controlled. As you can tell from Wayne's comments, a fairly stiff spring and aggressive shock can ride pretty damn well PROVIDED THEY ARE SETUP RIGHT and matched by someone who has a clue.

 

Yes, ride height and ride quality was important on my list. I didn't want the back end sitting a lot lower than the front. And I didn't want my teeth jarred loose.

Yesterday I drove down some of our 'washboard' downtown streets. These were the most continuosly rough stretches of pavement the car has seen with the new setup. Yes I could definately tell the combo was much firmer than stock. I could actually feel the suspension working. Never felt anything in the car seat. At a traffic light I was told the car looked 'bad ***'.

Thanks Sam!