Bilsteins And Strano bars
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From: Parkton, Md.
Bilsteins And Strano bars I just finished the install of the Bilsteins on my 2002 Z28, I also have the Strano sway bars. This is a great upgrade for a stock susp. It rides a little firmer, but in no way is it harsh. The sway bars were done first and there was a big improvment in cornering, control, body roll. With the stock decarbons still on the car you could still feel the car move around alot when cornering; With the Bilsteins installed this car handles! The bars and shocks really compliment each other, and I feel it was money well spent. I just wish my wife would feel that way, lol. Next up will be headers,cut out, tune.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Picatinny Arsenal, NJ
I got the same setup on my 2002 Z28. My suspension mods are as follows:
Bilstein HD shocks, 1LE rear lower control arms and panhard rod, front and rear Strano swaybars.
All were installed at different times to see how each set of modifications affected the ride and handling.
The 1LE rear lower control arms made the ride stiffer by about 10%, but I saw no improvement in my 60' time at the dragstrip. I feel that they could improve dragstrip traction if I had better tires such as Nitto drag radials, because the 1LE bushings are solid and spherical while the factory bushings were not spherical and had equal-distant spaces between them and the control arms (to contribute to the comfortable factory ride).
I noticed no handling improvement with the Bilstein HD shocks, but they did make going over bumps feel less bumpy.
I noticed no handling improvement with the Strano front and rear sway bars.
Please keep in mind that I don't do spirited driving on public roads. I don't make road racing turns or anything of the sort. The only spirited driving I do is on the dragstrip where I go fast in a straight line. This should explain my slight disappointment in getting these handling modifications.
Bilstein HD shocks, 1LE rear lower control arms and panhard rod, front and rear Strano swaybars.
All were installed at different times to see how each set of modifications affected the ride and handling.
The 1LE rear lower control arms made the ride stiffer by about 10%, but I saw no improvement in my 60' time at the dragstrip. I feel that they could improve dragstrip traction if I had better tires such as Nitto drag radials, because the 1LE bushings are solid and spherical while the factory bushings were not spherical and had equal-distant spaces between them and the control arms (to contribute to the comfortable factory ride).
I noticed no handling improvement with the Bilstein HD shocks, but they did make going over bumps feel less bumpy.
I noticed no handling improvement with the Strano front and rear sway bars.
Please keep in mind that I don't do spirited driving on public roads. I don't make road racing turns or anything of the sort. The only spirited driving I do is on the dragstrip where I go fast in a straight line. This should explain my slight disappointment in getting these handling modifications.
I'm glad you like that combo. I have the same set-up (Strano front/rear bars and Bilstein HD's) and can definetely tell the difference in handling compared to the stock components. I take it you're also on stock springs?
Originally Posted by damon_Z
I got the same setup on my 2002 Z28. My suspension mods are as follows:
Bilstein HD shocks, 1LE rear lower control arms and panhard rod, front and rear Strano swaybars.
All were installed at different times to see how each set of modifications affected the ride and handling.
The 1LE rear lower control arms made the ride stiffer by about 10%, but I saw no improvement in my 60' time at the dragstrip. I feel that they could improve dragstrip traction if I had better tires such as Nitto drag radials, because the 1LE bushings are solid and spherical while the factory bushings were not spherical and had equal-distant spaces between them and the control arms (to contribute to the comfortable factory ride).
I noticed no handling improvement with the Bilstein HD shocks, but they did make going over bumps feel less bumpy.
I noticed no handling improvement with the Strano front and rear sway bars.
Please keep in mind that I don't do spirited driving on public roads. I don't make road racing turns or anything of the sort. The only spirited driving I do is on the dragstrip where I go fast in a straight line. This should explain my slight disappointment in getting these handling modifications.
Bilstein HD shocks, 1LE rear lower control arms and panhard rod, front and rear Strano swaybars.
All were installed at different times to see how each set of modifications affected the ride and handling.
The 1LE rear lower control arms made the ride stiffer by about 10%, but I saw no improvement in my 60' time at the dragstrip. I feel that they could improve dragstrip traction if I had better tires such as Nitto drag radials, because the 1LE bushings are solid and spherical while the factory bushings were not spherical and had equal-distant spaces between them and the control arms (to contribute to the comfortable factory ride).
I noticed no handling improvement with the Bilstein HD shocks, but they did make going over bumps feel less bumpy.
I noticed no handling improvement with the Strano front and rear sway bars.
Please keep in mind that I don't do spirited driving on public roads. I don't make road racing turns or anything of the sort. The only spirited driving I do is on the dragstrip where I go fast in a straight line. This should explain my slight disappointment in getting these handling modifications.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Picatinny Arsenal, NJ
Originally Posted by BLK02TA
I'm confused. You make it sound like your car is mainly a drag car? So why didnt you spend the money on a tq arm stuff like that, thats better suited for the 1/4??
Originally Posted by damon_Z
...the 1LE bushings are solid and spherical while the factory bushings were not spherical and had equal-distant spaces between them and the control arms (to contribute to the comfortable factory ride).
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Originally Posted by damon_Z
I noticed no handling improvement with the Bilstein HD shocks, but they did make going over bumps feel less bumpy. I noticed no handling improvement with the Strano front and rear sway bars.
Originally Posted by damon_Z
I noticed no handling improvement with the Strano front and rear sway bars.
Also the car feels a lot more stable when making lane changes on the freeway.