I bought some SLP sub-frame connectors and had them installed yesterday--Whoa! this thing really handles now... I swear my car seems so much more solid...It seemed like before that the wheels would turn and then the rest of the car would move...I was going to wait until the spring and have the SFC installed-we haven't had any snow yet and its close the end of December--one less thing I have to do in the spring. The car handles really good...I get a STB next.....and a PHB...like tomorrow...LOL:lol:
Nice! SFC's make these cars feel more like a higher end car to me. Everything just feels more solid and better connected w/ them.
FWIW I did PHB & STB after SFC's and felt another nice increase in steering response/crispness. PHB is absolutely worth it IMO.
I now see why police cars move like they do...and have so much control--I would have never known about this if not for this site---The guy that installed my SFC asked me if I was interested in an 6.0 engine out of an SS Trailblazer...I said maybe...Id have to wait until my LT1 kicks the bucket(knock on wood)...
I finally got the panhard rod yesterday...still waiting for the relocation brackets for the control arms...I bought a pair of lower control arms from a member...I really didn't like the red so I opted for the black...I wanna get my car scuffed painted again..I want the paint to look like black glass...this car has turned into a addiction...Im always thinking of things I wanna do to this car----I may have to soon get the car appraised to get more just in case of a catastrophic loss...:craz28: This LT1 Trans am is from the dead and was brought back to life..and my exhaust has lasted for over 10 years.. yes I have had a couple of touch up welds in the exhaust ...Such a good feeling when I get asked by drivers of 2015 Camaros " what year is that" and I say 1995...they say damn that B**** sounds good..I see guys talk bad a about FLOWMASTER..but I get nothing but complements on the exhaust since day one ...My car is a 1995 but tasteful bolt ons and upgrades have made the car timeless even for a non classic. At night the car looks mean and sounds mean...with the stance 295 30 19 in the rear and 255 35 18 in the front.on gunmetal vette wheels I think they are from 2006..Its not the fastest car on the freeway but I get tons oohhs and ahhs...respect due to all the fbody members and techs and experts in different areas you DUDES are the best...:thumbsup::violin::werd::LS1LT1flag:
I gotta say I really like the sound of the Flowmaster Cat back I have too. It may not outflow all the other brands, but it's a quality piece IMO. Sounds like your enjoying your car as much as I am mine :LS1LT1flag:
Just an FYI- if your new LCA's have poly bushings and you like taking corners hard you may want to search for info regarding "binding" if you haven't already. Rear LCA Binding can cause snap oversteer under certain circumstances.
I'm relatively new to suspension so I think it's best to quote Sam Strano, who specializes in 4th gen f-body suspension and won SCCA titles in a 4th gen-
"Our rear axles work in the same way you see a front axle on a rock crawling truck or buggy because we both use solid axles. The axles are attached at the outboard ends by the LCA's. If you have LCA arms that don't flex, and you have LCA bushings that don't want to flex (in rotation) then the axle can't moves in roll freely from the car and when you hit a one wheel bump, or drop a tire into a dip or hole, instead of the the axle following it and minimizing the pull on the body, the body gets drug around more.
All poly LCA's work great for going straight.... and you can turn with them too, but you have to realize it's like adding more rear bar when cornering, except the bar is a nice linear motion and allows the axle to move more freely than sticky LCA's."
Generally Poly/Rod end would be the best for all around street use. Poly on the chassis side limits extra NVH, while the rod end will allow for proper articulation on the axle side for street use. Sounds like you're set.
If you don't mind, when you get the LCA's in can you post up what kind of difference they make. I'm looking at getting a set myself.
FWIW the same goes for the front control arms Re poly bushings. Hrsclm (sp?) has a thread on here about literally breaking at least 2 front LCA's after using poly bushings.
I had the lower control arms and panhard rod installed today....the stock control arms were far beyond shot...I can't believe I been driving all these years with the car like that....wow....I didn't have the relocation brackets installed today...There is a lot rust and the bolts look bad...but I see rear shocks and springs in my future...I think I have Monroe shocks in now..it was too wet to test it out... there is definitely a difference. Really solid feeling car....car feel real tight....feel real good...so good its scary. ...
Any idea what kinda shocks u mite b goin with in the near future. And it seems like with poly bushings all around like the car rides rougher cause now theres no give i aint sayin its bad bjt u feel every little bump
I'm thinking that I might go with a stock spring and shock. I know I'm not going to get that "Cadillac like suspension" in an f-body on extra low profile tires, but I want it to feel solid ..I don't go to the track. :craz28: I mainly cruise or a few fast take-off here or there.. I will probably go with A/C Delco's--I don't like the spongy feel either....I like more of a solid feel....Does that make sense?
I will see how it will ride after the shocks...I cant see buying expensive shocks and I'm not going to the track. I pretty much upgrade to decently priced aftermarket parts...If it does not work well for me or I don't like the part---there always selling to someone that wants it...There is a need
But a wreck on the street can be much more dangerous- ie on coming traffic, trees, pedestrians, etc. Good shocks improve handling as well as braking through more effective control of the body pitch/roll rates. I was in the same boat you are and decided to wait and save for "premium" shocks. I was not disappointed I did. But w/ stock springs, Bilsteins, SFC's/PHB/STB it made the car feel like a Caddy when just cruising:lol: That's when I realized I guess I like a little stiffer ride than some other's would & started looking at springs. Just a little something to think about.
I really got on the car today........short run....All of the rattling issues and wheel hop has been eliminated. ..the was a little salt on the ground....but it seems to hook well....I'm impressed...can't wait till spring already.....I'm going to order the springs and shocks for the rear...then work to move to the front suspension.......
I couldn't help it.......it's rusty anyway...Bolo work tooo hard (well not really) for my money....what the use of buying toys and can't play with them.. I did get it washed afterwards.....I'm going to get the car sprayed again ..Underbody will get sprayed too...eeven if it's rattle canned...and go from there.....I have never driven the ccar in decemberJanuary or feb..or March matter of fact....maybe that's why people were looking at me like I was crazy.....I am maybe just a bit....
Initially, we were talking about the SLP Frame connectors that I got installed---Once I got under the car and saw somethings that needed some attention or I didn't like I. I purchased control arms, panhard rod...control arm relocation brackets..I also replace rotors and brake pads-and had the calipers serviced for seized slider pins--also had rear swaybar links installed..I also had rear shocks installed....I will get some springs and some spring seats soon...and I notice that my waterpump just started leaking from the "weep tube" . I think I got a lifetime warranty on the waterpump from 2012
Oh well---while they were in there.... had the spark plugs and wires changed too....not busting my knuckles this time. lost the slight miss...found one burned plug cyl#1 plug was loose...good call for Bolo.....
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LS1LT1 Forum
549.5K posts
33.7K members
Since 2004
A forum community dedicated to all LS1 and LT1 powered vehicles owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, specs, builds, conversions, swaps, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!