What suspension parts improve handling the most?
06-11-2005, 12:27 PM
#3
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Location: Western New York
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Re: What suspension parts improve handling the most?
Thats a tad bit cost ineffective. 
Im not looking to get my Z competing with with Indy cars in the handling department, just looking to be able to take corners faster with the car feeling more stable. Less body roll etc..
Im not looking to get my Z competing with with Indy cars in the handling department, just looking to be able to take corners faster with the car feeling more stable. Less body roll etc..
06-11-2005, 05:26 PM
#5
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Re: What suspension parts improve handling the most?
Well... since you put it that way.
First things to start with is upgraded Sway bars.
A nice set of perfomance springs such as Eibach.
Shocks... Cost wise bilstein...but I reccomend QA1's and I stand by them.
After that sone good quality sticky tires will improve your cars ability and agility on curves greatly. Nitto all the way.
You can also look into Subrame connectors to help with body twisting etc...
First things to start with is upgraded Sway bars.
A nice set of perfomance springs such as Eibach.
Shocks... Cost wise bilstein...but I reccomend QA1's and I stand by them.
After that sone good quality sticky tires will improve your cars ability and agility on curves greatly. Nitto all the way.
You can also look into Subrame connectors to help with body twisting etc...
06-11-2005, 11:02 PM
#8
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Location: Indianapolis, IN
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Re: What suspension parts improve handling the most?
I'm by no means an expert in this department, but I believe that the guys that race competitively Auto-x and Road Racing, like Sam Strano, recommend the springs and shocks as a first upgrade, with maybe replacement of swaybar bushings and endlinks if yours have high mileage and are rotted or hollowed out. Good luck with the upgrades.
06-14-2005, 12:24 PM
#12
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Re: What suspension parts improve handling the most?
Given you mileage, shocks have to be first. And there are a number of options, some much better than others....
Then swaybar(s). Springs are important, but frankly you get more help with roll, a better ride with the bars over the springs. But springs look better and can be done with the shocks (note that springs and shocks have to be matched up to work properly).
Given the car's age, shocks all the way first. Bilstein HD's at minimum (unless you are sure you want springs then you need more), but don't disregard other shock options like Revalves or Koni's because you get a lot of feel and response from them and they last a long time. Hard to explain online, but there are a LOT of threads about it, and you can always call someone who can explain it to you more in depth.
Then swaybar(s). Springs are important, but frankly you get more help with roll, a better ride with the bars over the springs. But springs look better and can be done with the shocks (note that springs and shocks have to be matched up to work properly).
Given the car's age, shocks all the way first. Bilstein HD's at minimum (unless you are sure you want springs then you need more), but don't disregard other shock options like Revalves or Koni's because you get a lot of feel and response from them and they last a long time. Hard to explain online, but there are a LOT of threads about it, and you can always call someone who can explain it to you more in depth.
06-14-2005, 02:09 PM
#13
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 11
Re: What suspension parts improve handling the most?
Would end up buying shocks probably online...any good refferal...reading this thread i will probably get shocks and springs and good suggestion for a kit...dont want to lower it at all just want stock spring size...RYan
06-14-2005, 02:49 PM
#14
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Location: FTW, TX
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Re: What suspension parts improve handling the most?
#1 TIRES
No matter how much $ you dump into your suspension, you'll never handle well w/out good tires. They are the sole points of contact and control.
#2 SFC
#3 struts/shocks
#4 swaybars
#5 Springs
But if you're doing shocks, might as well upgrade the springs at the same time. Worried about height? Get coil overs if you can or 1le springs.
#6 all the other tubular parts.
No matter how much $ you dump into your suspension, you'll never handle well w/out good tires. They are the sole points of contact and control.
#2 SFC
#3 struts/shocks
#4 swaybars
#5 Springs
But if you're doing shocks, might as well upgrade the springs at the same time. Worried about height? Get coil overs if you can or 1le springs.
#6 all the other tubular parts.
06-15-2005, 02:54 PM
#15
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Location: Saginaw, Michigan
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Re: What suspension parts improve handling the most?
Well,
Here are my thoughts. First, listen to Sam. He has the background and the wins to back it up. He's helped me tremendously, and has made the correct assessment every time.
Here are the items that I noticed the biggest difference with, in order of biggest difference to smallest difference:
35mm Front Sway Bar
Bilstein HD Shocks
17x9" SS rims with F1 GS-D3 Rubber
(These three combined make a HUGE, HUGE difference in our cars)
Next...
21mm rear sway bar
Sub Frame Connectors
Shock Tower Brace
Even though the SFC is rated low on the seat of the pants scale, I would still rate it high up because it helps to keep the chassis nice and tight before you start to make suspension changes which naturally make for a little stiffer ride.
Dan
Here are my thoughts. First, listen to Sam. He has the background and the wins to back it up. He's helped me tremendously, and has made the correct assessment every time.
Here are the items that I noticed the biggest difference with, in order of biggest difference to smallest difference:
35mm Front Sway Bar
Bilstein HD Shocks
17x9" SS rims with F1 GS-D3 Rubber
(These three combined make a HUGE, HUGE difference in our cars)
Next...
21mm rear sway bar
Sub Frame Connectors
Shock Tower Brace
Even though the SFC is rated low on the seat of the pants scale, I would still rate it high up because it helps to keep the chassis nice and tight before you start to make suspension changes which naturally make for a little stiffer ride.
Dan