[b]Chassis upgrades[/b]
10-28-2005, 12:48 PM
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[b]Chassis upgrades[/b]
What'* out there for suspension upgrades?
I found peformance struts, coils, and a heavier rear sway-bar- but that'* it.
No chassis components.
Is it custom fabrication from here?
I found peformance struts, coils, and a heavier rear sway-bar- but that'* it.
No chassis components.
Is it custom fabrication from here?
10-28-2005, 12:53 PM
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Re: [b]Chassis upgrades[/b]
Originally Posted by JimmyP70
What'* out there for suspension upgrades?
I found peformance struts, coils, and a heavier rear sway-bar- but that'* it.
No chassis components.
Is it custom fabrication from here?
I found peformance struts, coils, and a heavier rear sway-bar- but that'* it.
No chassis components.
Is it custom fabrication from here?
everything after that is custom. A few here have custom coils, and aftermarket struts. I would be interested to know where you found a larger rear sway bar.
10-28-2005, 01:13 PM
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ADDCO lists a 7/8" rear bar, part # 419, for 86-96 Bonnevilles.
What links do you have for higher rate coil springs?
What links do you have for higher rate coil springs?
10-28-2005, 01:14 PM
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Try www.sanerperffab.com for heavy duty front and rear sway bars. You really should replace them both rather than just one to keep the balance to the car. It'* where I got mine but I don't know if they have them for the earlier model Bonnevilles.
10-28-2005, 01:21 PM
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Find out on your RPO label on the spare tire cover in the trunk if you have code FE1 or FE2. FE2 is the firmer of the two. We can go from there.
Some people prefer to do only the rear of the car, but beware of doing that. It may be because their rear struts are already shot, but to get the correct balance, anything you do to the rear should also be done to the front.
If you have FE1 suspension, you can upgrade to FE2 by simply finding a donor car with those components.
If you have FE2, you can upgrade by measuring your coils and finding a donor car with larger diameter coils.
KYB GR2 struts are commonly reccommended, but recent thought patterns are that they are a softer ride than the Monroe Reflex, and perhaps the Sensatrac as well.
KYB GR-2:
Monroe Reflex:
Monroe Sensatrac:
Everyone lucky enough to find Reflexes is VERY pleased with them, although the Sensatrac is probably more used in our cars on this Forum. The Sensatrac is a VERY good shock/strut.
Some people prefer to do only the rear of the car, but beware of doing that. It may be because their rear struts are already shot, but to get the correct balance, anything you do to the rear should also be done to the front.
If you have FE1 suspension, you can upgrade to FE2 by simply finding a donor car with those components.
If you have FE2, you can upgrade by measuring your coils and finding a donor car with larger diameter coils.
KYB GR2 struts are commonly reccommended, but recent thought patterns are that they are a softer ride than the Monroe Reflex, and perhaps the Sensatrac as well.
KYB GR-2:
GR2 Series Gas Strut, Front, Smooth And Comfortable Ride Even Under Rougher Conditions, "New Car" Ride.
GR-2® Premium Shocks and Struts are specially designed to provide a smooth, secure ride with excellent control for drivers who are looking for ride comfort and improved handling. With its patented check valve, the GR-2® Premium Shocks and Struts always maintain excellent performance under even the roughest conditions. It also provides comfort and control that is often better than original equipment. GR-2® Premium Shocks and Struts are available for virtually all vehicles on the road today.
© 2005. All rights reserved.
© 2005. All rights reserved.
Monroe Reflex:
The Monroe Reflex® struts with the patented Impact Sensor™ Technology combines specially tuned valving and a Fluon banded piston.
The Impact Sensor™ valve has the ability to sense acceleration to improve the handling, safety, and overall ride characteristics of most vehicles. The Impact Sensor™ base valve will sense a bump in the road and automatically adjust the shock to absorb the impact, leaving the shock with greater control when it is needed.
The features of the Monroe Reflex struts make it the superior choice for improved handling, safety, and comfort in all road conditions.
The Impact Sensor™ valve has the ability to sense acceleration to improve the handling, safety, and overall ride characteristics of most vehicles. The Impact Sensor™ base valve will sense a bump in the road and automatically adjust the shock to absorb the impact, leaving the shock with greater control when it is needed.
The features of the Monroe Reflex struts make it the superior choice for improved handling, safety, and comfort in all road conditions.
The Monroe® Sensa-Trac® strut with PSD (position sensitive damping) and the Safe Tech™ system combines our exclusive precision tapered grooves in the pressure tube with application engineered valving and Fluon banded piston to improve the ride, handling, and safety characteristics of the vehicle.
These features allow the Monroe Sensa-Trac strut to adjust more rapidly to changing road and weight conditions than any other available shock absorber.
The result: enhanced control with uncompromised ride comfort.
These features allow the Monroe Sensa-Trac strut to adjust more rapidly to changing road and weight conditions than any other available shock absorber.
The result: enhanced control with uncompromised ride comfort.
10-28-2005, 01:42 PM
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Mark, willwren,
Thanks for the input.
Would this car benefit from Subframe connectors? Rear strut brace? Boxing in the factory stamped suspension components to reduce flexing?
Thanks for the input.
Would this car benefit from Subframe connectors? Rear strut brace? Boxing in the factory stamped suspension components to reduce flexing?
10-28-2005, 01:48 PM
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Subframe connectors have been discussed in the past, but have never been pursued on this Forum. Personally, I don't see the need for them on a properly setup suspension. (I have one of the tightest cars here in terms of handling).
I also don't see the need for a rear strut brace considering the way the subframe is designed under the rear deck. It'* also nearly impossible to do if you wanted to.
Boxing in is something I've been toying with, but only on the front end (engine bay braces and a beefed up STB). No work has been done, but I've tossed a couple designs around in CAD.
To convert from FE1 to FE2 you need the front and rear swaybars and center links for both from the donor car. Get the Energy Suspension Poly endlink kits from Autozone for front, and the universal kit for the rear.
Get all 4 coils from an FE2 donor car as well. I suggest taking a micrometer to measure several before choosing the donor.
When you have all these, buy a set of Monroe Sensatracs (all 4), and make sure you get the right rear strut to retain your ELC in the rear. Some guidance with this at:
http://www.williamwren.com/struts/elc.html
I also don't see the need for a rear strut brace considering the way the subframe is designed under the rear deck. It'* also nearly impossible to do if you wanted to.
Boxing in is something I've been toying with, but only on the front end (engine bay braces and a beefed up STB). No work has been done, but I've tossed a couple designs around in CAD.
To convert from FE1 to FE2 you need the front and rear swaybars and center links for both from the donor car. Get the Energy Suspension Poly endlink kits from Autozone for front, and the universal kit for the rear.
Get all 4 coils from an FE2 donor car as well. I suggest taking a micrometer to measure several before choosing the donor.
When you have all these, buy a set of Monroe Sensatracs (all 4), and make sure you get the right rear strut to retain your ELC in the rear. Some guidance with this at:
http://www.williamwren.com/struts/elc.html
10-28-2005, 02:00 PM
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Thanks for the direction.
The car is mint, I got from my mother in law when I got home from Iraq, last March.
For a N/A V6, it has balls.
I upgraded to 235-40-ZR18'*, they hold like you wouldn't believe, but there is a lot of body roll- I'll be hunting for the parts you suggested.
The car is mint, I got from my mother in law when I got home from Iraq, last March.
For a N/A V6, it has balls.
I upgraded to 235-40-ZR18'*, they hold like you wouldn't believe, but there is a lot of body roll- I'll be hunting for the parts you suggested.