RMH_GTO04

What would it take to do this, and can it be done while maintaining a decent ride?

Thanks,
Mike

coolformula

iTrader: (21)

Buy an M3.

I would say you need to start the same place as with fbodies.

1. Shocks
2. Sway bars
3. Good tires!

GR33N GoblinM6

iTrader: (14)

and since you have independent front and rear.. get an agressive alignment done. You will be surprised how much this helps.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Shocks have to be first on the list. Let me point out that BMW's aren't sprung particularly stiff.

Actually an E36 M3, which a great handling car stock has roughly 200 pound front springs on it stock (even the Sport packages), and the cars weigh in around 3200 pounds. The trick with them is the dampers are excellent from the factory. Something GM cars aren't blessed with.

Start with dampers. Then see what you have and move on if need be. But the slow response to the wheel, soft and somewhat squishy ride, and the car taking a while to take a good set after turn-in are classic examples of a lack of rebound damping.

Koni makes some units for the car. And a customer with a GTO used them to take the last trophy spot in F-stock at the Solo Nationals. Only GTO there, and we just started working on it.

qwikz28

iTrader: (12)

drop weight if possible. thats my humble .02

gun5l1ng3r

Yeah, isnt the M3 about 600 LBS lighter (GTO is about 3800 LBS, right?)
Is 200 Lbs stiff for a spring on a BMW?

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

The GTO that ran Nationals was just about the same weight as an F-body.....

The point was here's a 3200 lb. car with a great handling reputation, and it's running springs almost 100 pounds lighter than what a f-body does. All I was driving at was stiff springs aren't the key to handling, damping is.

qwikz28

iTrader: (12)

thats insane. thats at least 400 pounds, if not more, of weight reduction.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

No, this was an f-stock car, you aren't allowed to pull really anything. GTO's aren't really 3800 pounds. And f-bodies with full tanks are around 3450. I think the GTO was about 3500.

damon_Z

I've never driven an M3, but a lot of GTO owners with the $2,000+ Pedders suspension packages claim that their GTO's handle better than an M3. Besides the upgraded shocks, the Pedders packages also upgrade the springs and most, if not all, of the rubber bushings are upgraded to urethane bushings. I have the Pedders Justice suspension package and I have felt more control when going around corners. The ride got a little bit stiffer, but it's tolerable and nothing to complain about. Pedders isn't a sponsor of this board, but they are a sponsor at ls1gto.com and are a big hit over there. I think you'll find much more GTO-related information on that board than in here.

Fulton 1

iTrader: (9)

Good tires
Performance alignment
Hotchkis swaybars
Pedders springs/bushings
Koni dampers

You will be amazed at the difference...

Also, if its an '04 you should seriously consider upgrading the brakes to the '05-06 with quality pads.