How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
11-12-2004, 07:58 PM
#1
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Posts: 18
How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
I would like to upgrade the suspension on my car. Not only to improve on the car but I need to get rid of some unwanted vibration.
Just wondering if there are any articles to guide me though upgrading the suspension myself.
I don't mind taking my car to a specialist if its something I cant do myself (like putting new tires on). But I really want to do every upgrade I can MYSELF to this car.
Tutorials? Walkthoughs? Personal Experiance?
Just wondering if there are any articles to guide me though upgrading the suspension myself.
I don't mind taking my car to a specialist if its something I cant do myself (like putting new tires on). But I really want to do every upgrade I can MYSELF to this car.
Tutorials? Walkthoughs? Personal Experiance?
11-12-2004, 11:45 PM
#3
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Location: Sacramento
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Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
Some suspension parts are simple to change (assuming you have the right tools), some are not.
Swaybars, shock tower braces, LCAs and panhard rods and rear shocks and springs are pretty easy. Injuneer has a nice set of instructions for doing shocks.
Torque arms involve more swearing.
Front shocks and springs require a spring compressor.
Vibration is more likely to be caused by wheels that need rebalancing or tires that need replacement or the driveshaft. Or warped brake rotors if it happens under braking.
Swaybars, shock tower braces, LCAs and panhard rods and rear shocks and springs are pretty easy. Injuneer has a nice set of instructions for doing shocks.
Torque arms involve more swearing.
Front shocks and springs require a spring compressor.
Vibration is more likely to be caused by wheels that need rebalancing or tires that need replacement or the driveshaft. Or warped brake rotors if it happens under braking.
11-13-2004, 06:24 AM
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Arlington, TX USA
Posts: 27
Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
On a 3rd Gen, the front suspension is a little easier with the separate spring and strut arrangement. If you're changing springs, you don't need a spring compressor, just a safety chain or cable to hold that spring while you're slowly lowering/raising those lower control arms....
The 3rd Gens cars are definitely easier to set up because of the simpler front suspension.
The first two things I'd do, would be to get new struts & shocks unless you've recently replaced them.....and I mean with either Bilstein or Konis.
Then I'd get the front end realigned to performance-oriented specs..... although the 3rd Gens seemed to have a better set-up from the factory than the 4th Gens did, especially the 98-up cars. You'd be amazed at what some negative camber will do for cornering!
3rd Gen cars have a more flexible body than the 4th Gens due to that HUGE hatch opening (and/or T-tops if you have them), so SFC's are even more vital for them.
You probably should replace all of the bushings too.....any 3rd Gen car will be due for that now.
I remember when I had my '83 Z28 (my first new car),,,,,there were two schools of thought on the suspension setup.
One was to use softer springs and massive sway bars to keep a somewhat comfortable everyday ride. Herb Adams used this approach with good results.
The other was to use much stiffer springs to control body roll and to use the sway bars only as a fine tuing device. This is more what hardcore racers will use, and was the method that Dick Guldstrand preferred, being an old road racer himself. The trade-off is a harsher ride....
I did a little of both, and my Z28 would corner so hard, I had a sore neck more than once from the lateral G's after a night of "cruising" around.
But it was an intense (harsh) car to ride in, and a little edgy, like I've heard pilots describe fighter planes.....you can do amazing things with them. but they're not very forgiving of mistakes.
The 3rd Gens cars are definitely easier to set up because of the simpler front suspension.
The first two things I'd do, would be to get new struts & shocks unless you've recently replaced them.....and I mean with either Bilstein or Konis.
Then I'd get the front end realigned to performance-oriented specs..... although the 3rd Gens seemed to have a better set-up from the factory than the 4th Gens did, especially the 98-up cars. You'd be amazed at what some negative camber will do for cornering!
3rd Gen cars have a more flexible body than the 4th Gens due to that HUGE hatch opening (and/or T-tops if you have them), so SFC's are even more vital for them.
You probably should replace all of the bushings too.....any 3rd Gen car will be due for that now.
I remember when I had my '83 Z28 (my first new car),,,,,there were two schools of thought on the suspension setup.
One was to use softer springs and massive sway bars to keep a somewhat comfortable everyday ride. Herb Adams used this approach with good results.
The other was to use much stiffer springs to control body roll and to use the sway bars only as a fine tuing device. This is more what hardcore racers will use, and was the method that Dick Guldstrand preferred, being an old road racer himself. The trade-off is a harsher ride....
I did a little of both, and my Z28 would corner so hard, I had a sore neck more than once from the lateral G's after a night of "cruising" around.
But it was an intense (harsh) car to ride in, and a little edgy, like I've heard pilots describe fighter planes.....you can do amazing things with them. but they're not very forgiving of mistakes.
Last edited by Greg99LS1; 11-13-2004 at 07:48 AM.
11-13-2004, 05:45 PM
#6
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Location: Arlington, TX USA
Posts: 27
Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
Well, the actual model of either the Bilstein or Koni depends on what you want from the car handling-wise, and of course, your budget. I specified those brands because they're of the highest quality, and I ran Koni adjustable shocks on my '83, and I'm running Bilsteins on both of my '99's. Shocks are definitely one of those "you get what you pay for" items....
Know who Sam Strano is? He is a National Champion autocrosser in both 3rd and 4th Gen Camaros who is extremely knowledgeable about suspension, especially about dampening rates of shocks. I'd give him a call. He's not a sponsor here, so I don't think it would be proper to post his URL here....
Know who Sam Strano is? He is a National Champion autocrosser in both 3rd and 4th Gen Camaros who is extremely knowledgeable about suspension, especially about dampening rates of shocks. I'd give him a call. He's not a sponsor here, so I don't think it would be proper to post his URL here....
11-14-2004, 04:15 PM
#8
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Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
I just went out and bought the Haynes Repair Manual so I can start making a little more sence of this.
Honestly I am still confused. I am not sure exacally what I need to get started.
Do I need spring, bushings, struts AND shocks?
Or I do I just need springs, bushings and shocks OR struts?
What is the complete list of tools I will need for this job?
Honestly I am still confused. I am not sure exacally what I need to get started.
Do I need spring, bushings, struts AND shocks?
Or I do I just need springs, bushings and shocks OR struts?
What is the complete list of tools I will need for this job?
11-14-2004, 04:22 PM
#9
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Amarillo, TX
Posts: 794
Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
Don't just start throwing parts at it. Figure out your goals for the car. Then research what parts best help achieve that goal.
This isn't something you'll figure out today or tomorrow. It's a process of time, thought, and research.
Do it right, and do it once. :cheers:
This isn't something you'll figure out today or tomorrow. It's a process of time, thought, and research.
Do it right, and do it once. :cheers:
11-14-2004, 04:54 PM
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 18
Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
Thats my plan but I would just like to have the basics down before I start my search so I know exacally what I'm looking for.
I know that my persoanl goals for the car will have to be taken into consideration when purchasing preformance parts for the car.
I was just looking for the basic ground work.
What parts will I need (ie. springs, struts, shocks, bushings etc.)
and
What tools will I need (ie. Torque wrench, spring compressor etc.)
Im going to spend the next week or two reading and researching as much as I can before I buy. Just was hoping for some basics before I start...
I know that my persoanl goals for the car will have to be taken into consideration when purchasing preformance parts for the car.
I was just looking for the basic ground work.
What parts will I need (ie. springs, struts, shocks, bushings etc.)
and
What tools will I need (ie. Torque wrench, spring compressor etc.)
Im going to spend the next week or two reading and researching as much as I can before I buy. Just was hoping for some basics before I start...
11-14-2004, 05:15 PM
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Arlington, TX USA
Posts: 27
Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
On a 13 year old car, I'd get all new bushings, lower ball joints, new front struts, new rear shocks with a good front end alignment before I'd start changing the factory pieces like the springs, swaybars, panhard bar, and the like.....
If the ball joints are worn out and loose, and the bushings are rotted out, you're wasting your time buying all the aftermarket suspension goodies. I know all of that sounds boring compared to new, shiny powder-coated suspension components, but get all of that stuff refreshed, and the car will feel new again. It's simply a case of first things first....
Then, if you still want more cornering capability, that's when you start looking at possibly lowering the car (as if a 3rd Gen really needs it that much), putting on bigger swaybars, and bigger wheels & tires on the car.
A torque wrench that goes up to 100ft-lbs is a great idea, but no spring compressor is necessary on a 3rd Gen. Some large metric sockets and wrenches (18mm-up) will be needed....I can't remember the exact sizes, but as a general rule, the largest fasteners on your car will be in its suspension....
If the ball joints are worn out and loose, and the bushings are rotted out, you're wasting your time buying all the aftermarket suspension goodies. I know all of that sounds boring compared to new, shiny powder-coated suspension components, but get all of that stuff refreshed, and the car will feel new again. It's simply a case of first things first....
Then, if you still want more cornering capability, that's when you start looking at possibly lowering the car (as if a 3rd Gen really needs it that much), putting on bigger swaybars, and bigger wheels & tires on the car.
A torque wrench that goes up to 100ft-lbs is a great idea, but no spring compressor is necessary on a 3rd Gen. Some large metric sockets and wrenches (18mm-up) will be needed....I can't remember the exact sizes, but as a general rule, the largest fasteners on your car will be in its suspension....
Last edited by Greg99LS1; 11-14-2004 at 05:20 PM.
11-14-2004, 05:18 PM
#12
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 18
Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
Originally Posted by Greg99LS1
On a 13 year old car, I'd get all new bushings, lower ball joints, new front struts, new rear shocks with a good front end alignment before I'd start changing the factory pieces like the springs, swaybars, panhard bar, and the like.....
If the ball joints are worn out and loose, and the bushings are rotted out, you're wasting your time buying all the aftermarket suspension goodies. I know all of that sounds boring compared to new, shiny powder-coated suspension components, but get all of that stuff refreshed, and the car will feel new again. It's simply a case of first things first....
Then, if you still want more cornering capability, that's when you start looking at possibly lowering the car (as if a 3rd Gen really needs it that much), putting on bigger swaybars, and bigger wheels & tires on the car.
If the ball joints are worn out and loose, and the bushings are rotted out, you're wasting your time buying all the aftermarket suspension goodies. I know all of that sounds boring compared to new, shiny powder-coated suspension components, but get all of that stuff refreshed, and the car will feel new again. It's simply a case of first things first....
Then, if you still want more cornering capability, that's when you start looking at possibly lowering the car (as if a 3rd Gen really needs it that much), putting on bigger swaybars, and bigger wheels & tires on the car.
11-14-2004, 05:22 PM
#13
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Arlington, TX USA
Posts: 27
Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
No prob.....I've got a warm spot in my heart for white, late 3rd Gen Rally Sports. I drove a '90 3.1L A4 for 9 1/2 years until I bought my present '99 Z28. 
11-14-2004, 05:45 PM
#14
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Location: Amarillo, TX
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Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
I agree with Greg's advice 100%. Get your car driving like it should, and then see what you want.
*I* recommend calling Sam Strano for getting the right struts/shocks under it.
*I* recommend calling Sam Strano for getting the right struts/shocks under it.
11-14-2004, 09:34 PM
#15
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Re: How do I upgrade my suspension MYSELF?
Originally Posted by ZaneO
I agree with Greg's advice 100%. Get your car driving like it should, and then see what you want.
*I* recommend calling Sam Strano for getting the right struts/shocks under it.
*I* recommend calling Sam Strano for getting the right struts/shocks under it.