Handling & cornering improvements, 4th gen.
Warlock
I've just installed shock tower braces, subframe connectors, and
Michelin XGT-V4/16" tires, as per advice from this group - the
difference is *freaking* amazing. Thanks guys. I'm planning to replace
the factory rims with ultra light racing wheels. What other changes
can I make to improve the handling? Would lowering it an inch help?
What about SS sway bars?
--->WARLOCK
Genre21
Not just lighter but go bigger too (taller and wider). I put 17's on mine
(*very* little sidewall flex) along with 275/40/17 dunlops. The cornering
traction is amazing. I've also done the STB, SFC, trailing arms and panhard rod
for suspension mods so that helps too. If you like the twisties like I do and
you have a six speed I'd highly recommend a hurst shifter, it's amazing... very
short throw and feels equally as tight. I haven't lowered it at all for fear of
scraping on everything. I would like to get some Bilsteins though.
~Shawn~
Warlock
>I've also done the STB, SFC, trailing arms and panhard rod
>for suspension mods so that helps too
Thanks for the info - what are the above items?
--->WARLOCK
Genre21
--->WARLOCK
>>
STB- Shock Tower Brace
SFC- Subframe Connectors
Trailing arms- Those things (one on each side) that attach to the axle and the
frame to keep the axle in line and from twisting. (the stockers are stamped
steel ....pretty cheesy)
Panhard Rod- When you're laying on the ground looking at your axle from the
back it connects your axle to the car again (like the trailing arms) but to
keep it from moving from side to side. Like the stock trailing arms, the stock
panhard rod is cheesy stamped steel.
~Shawn~
Marshall Ward
: <<Thanks for the info - what are the above items?
: --->WARLOCK
:>>
: STB- Shock Tower Brace
: SFC- Subframe Connectors
: ~Shawn~
Not to nit-pick, but, since the car is uni-body: The whole thing is made from
"cheesy stamped steel". ;-)
Marshall G. Ward, III
email me at MW...@NOSPAMpacbell.net
1996 T/A, WS6, 6-Speed, Med Dk Green, Hardtop, T43 Spoiler, 10 Spk CD, Pwr Ant,
Graphite cloth, Pwr seat, Keyless entry w/alarm, Leather Appointments Group
MODS: !CAGS, K&N, Synthetic Engine/Trans/Diff fluid, Magna Flow Muffler
Hotchkis 2 pt STB and SFC's, B&M Ripper shifter, CA License=>1RARE TA
08/08/98-Sears Point-14.496 @97.0 MPH, 60'=2.267, Reaction=.803
Genre21
"cheesy stamped steel". ;-)>>
::sigh:: THE point is, is that if you ever took off your stock trailing arms
or stock panhard rod you'd see that they're VERY cheesy. I could probably make
it in my back yard with a bender and some steel.
The aftermarket ones I bought are tubular with very nice welds, powder coated
and have quality bushings in them. THAT'S all I meant. Hell maybe I'll get rid
of this damn uni-body and replace it with a tubular powder coated version. hehe
~Shawn~
Marshall Ward
: <<Not to nit-pick, but, since the car is uni-body: The whole thing is made from
: ~Shawn~
You don't have to ::sigh:: at me Shawn. I saw your point and I agree, the
aftermarket parts are better than the stock. I was making a little joke
because you referenced "Cheesy stamped steel" twice in your post. I guess
you missed the smiley? ;-) ;-)
I haven't touched the panhard yet, but the guy who welded my SFCs in also
welded some plate steel across the "U" of my trailing arms to make a box.
He said it would help but since he did it at the same time my SFCs went in,
I don't know how much it helped. I know the SFCs (plus the boxing of the
trailing arms) made a huge difference in handling. Even over the WS6
suspension.
Genre21
aftermarket trailing arms in. Nothing anywhere near the difference that the
SFCs or the STB made. They made squat for a difference in cornering (then again
I guess they're not really supposed to) however they didn't really seem to do
much for take-offs either. But man, those SFCs and STB have made my runs
through the twisties so much more fun!!!
~Shawn~