starting suspension mods

[blue streak 00]

I want to start upgrading my suspension but I'm a little worried about whats safe and whats not. I want to begin with LCA's, panhard rod, and sway bars. I plan on staying consistent by getting all 1LE parts. But, I've read mixed reviews on sway bars- some say they have them and are great, while others say be careful because you may get more oversteer than you can handle and make your car unsafe. I personally think camaros have too much understeer when they're stock. Secondly, will having just those mods make a better or worse handling car.

Thanks

[FirebirdGT]

All the 1LE part numbers are listed in the Technical Database.

The issue with the oversteer comes from installing the 21mm rear sway bar. You should be OK since 2000 have stiffer springs than the eariler cars.

[ December 27, 2001: Message edited by: FirebirdGT ]</p>

[Fin]

Just don't match a large sway bar w/a small one (like a stock rear sway bar w/a 1LE front sway bar), you'll end up w/more understeer (I think). The 1LE sway bars are your best bet, they are pretty cheap, and they get the job done as well as if not better than many aftermarket ones. And to clear this up, 1LE parts are not 'V8 take-off parts'.

[V6Bob]

"I want to start upgrading my suspension but I'm a little worried about whats safe and whats not."

Good thinking.

"I want to begin with LCA's, panhard rod, and sway bars. I plan on staying consistent by getting all 1LE parts. But, I've read mixed reviews on sway bars- some say they have them and are great, while others say be careful because you may get more oversteer than you can handle and make your car unsafe. I personally think camaros have too much understeer when they're stock."

True, they have a lot of understeer, stock. With the 32mm 1LE front and the 93-97 V6 springs I definitely think the 21mm (early 1LE) bar may be a bit too much the other way. With the 32 mm front the 19mm (late 1LE) is probably safe and the 21 might be - it depends on the specific situation (road and other mods). The technical database has two contradictory entries for the 98-01 V6 front springs, so I'm not at all sure about those cars. I'm thinking about going to the 19mm rear myself.

"Secondly, will having just those mods make a better or worse handling car."

Definitely better. But it will be different (quicker responses and different understeer/oversteer balance).

I'm not trying to scare people. I am suggesting that knowing what parts like sway bars do (guys who just pull the front bar and drive on the street have no clue) and making educated choices is better than throwing parts at a car because you saw something on the net (my stuff included). If you don't want to learn, it's better to buy a complete package from someone who knows what they'e doing, example SLP.

Last, you might want to think about sfcs and a stb as your first mods. Suspension mods will work better when attached to a stiff chassis.

[blue streak 00]

Thanks everyone for the input. I will feel better now when I buy my upgrades. Thanks for reminding me about the stb V6Bob. I forgot about that but its definitely something I want to get also.

[PiLOTLiTE]

When stock, I thought my Camaro understeered way too much in heavy cornering. Being the rear wheel driver it is, I think if anything it should oversteer. The 1LE bars (32/21) are a great setup and produce only mild, easily controlled, oversteer. I highly recommend them.

[Camarorulz]

Actually, one of the problems with the first front-wheel drive cars that came out was oversteer if I'm correct. I don't know that much about suspension, but logically, considering that, it would seem like rear-wheel drivers have more understeer.

[Dominic]

By being able to exert a force on the rear tires, when cornering and taking it past the limit in power your tires can and will spin. Once they lose traction fore/aft they also lose side/side traction and you can "slide the rear around"

This is the tendancy of RWD.

For FWD, if you lose traction due to acceleration, the front wheels which are directing the car will lose traction and your car will plow forwards... hence understeer tendancies.

Racers don't like fwd or rwd plowing or drifting, it causes a severe loss of time.

You'd be amazed at what a proper alignment (for us that means a little on the edgy side of stock) can do for handling. Swaybars are tricky and you can upset the balance of your car easily with them by making one end too stiff or too soft. However, I feel that the stock V6 suspension (00+) really needs stiffer bars even with stock springs. With these things in mind I like my 32/21 1LE hollow bar setup, but I also think a 32/19 would be good and maybe even better than the 32/21. The front bar changes a lot, keep in mind. If you ever don't believe me, take it off for a day :D

[eDoog]

I'm new to suspension mods, what are LCA's?

[AllTheGoodNamesAreGone]

lower control arms..

while you technicly have front lower control arms.. when most people say LCA they are talking about the rear lower controll arms

~Bill

[eDoog]

thanks man... Hey, can you give me your opinion on which springs to get in my Hotchkis or Intrax springs thread?

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by V6Bob:
[QB The technical database has two contradictory entries for the 98-01 V6 front springs, [/QB]<hr></blockquote>


Where.

[V6Bob]

That was posted way back in December, 2001. You saw it then, said "oops" and fixed it.

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: V6Bob ]</p>

[FirebirdGT]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by V6Bob:
That was posted way back in December, 2001. You saw it then, said "oops" and fixed it.<hr></blockquote>

I hate it when fossils get dug up! :mad: