I'm thinking about buying an 02 SS convertible, but have reservations regarding handling. I currently have a modded VW(!) GTI (read: go-kart), but always lusted after huge bhp.
What can be done to improve the handling on an SS conv (or tt)? And what would you do first???????????
Posts: 3 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
The stock SS is pretty darn good, they have Decarbon shocks, and heavier bars. The bilstein option from SLP gets raves and 1LE option is not for the faint at heart!
-------------------- 2000 SS Convertible, M6, Onyx Ebony leather, Hurst, Monsoon, 12 CD SLP Options: Syntech, Mats, Fobs, Plaque, Cover. SLP add ons:SS Grille, SLP Lid & K&N, smooth bellows, SLP CAI.... Other Add Ons: TTS LT headers Y Pipe and Cats, TR 220, LS6 Intake, GMMG, ASP underdrive pulley, Hypertech 180 stat, Granatelli MAF, Rapid Motor Sports custom tuning, BMR STB, LCAs, Relocation brackets, Adj. Panhard, Don Goetz bolt on SFCs, Hotchkis springs, Hurst Billet Plus shifter Appearance: FRCs with afterthoughts SS overlays, Mark's Caliper decals on black painted calipers, AR TTIIs (Gunmetal Spokes) with BFG Gforce T/A KDWs...
96 Impala SS Black Flowmasters SSOA, WCA, NAISSO Posts: 3403 | From: Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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posted
poSSum has lots of experience with the handling of a drop top.
I'm sure he'll respond shortly
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
posted
Get the Bilstein!! It works very well, and if the budget allows do the upgrade to the BFG G-force KD's as well. So far I've only added a BMR shock tower brace and sub-frame connectors.
I've autocrossed a number of times, and while my driving sucks big time, I've had a friend drive the car as well, and he came in first overall the very first time out.
I'm planning to go to aftermarket control arms, relocate brackets, panhard and torque-arm next year to tighten it up a little more, but also expect it to get noisier in the process.
[ 16 October 2001: Message edited by: poSSum ]
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by poSSum: Get the Bilstein!! It works very well, and if the budget allows do the upgrade to the BFG G-force KD's as well. So far I've added a BMR shock tower brace and sub-frame connectors.
I've autocrossed a number of times, and while my driving sucks big time, I've had a friend drive the car as well, and he came in first overall the very first time out.
I'm planning to go to aftermarket control arms, panhard and torque-arm next year to tighten it up a little more, but also expect it to get noisier in the process.
[ 16 October 2001: Message edited by: poSSum ]
Art, I've done all that one mine - no extra noise, but it is tight. Not much lean at all now. And for some reason mine sits about 1/2 inch lower than Rock's 99. I know it bugs him so he's lowering his for better handling.
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
Art, I've done all that one mine - no extra noise, but it is tight. Not much lean at all now. And for some reason mine sits about 1/2 inch lower than Rock's 99. I know it bugs him so he's lowering his for better handling.
Which bushings do you have? I've heard some not so good things about poly/poly so I'm thinking of going either poly/rod end or double rod end ... I'm slowly moving towards a "no-compromise" autoX setup ... Wes has beating the S2000 consistently firmly in his sights
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
STB (Strut/Shock Tower Brace) is the cheapest/easiest mod that gives you a big gain in handling. I bought the BMR STB for my SS, installed it in about 5-10 minutes, and could tell the difference immediately. The next mod would probably be SFC's (Sub Frame Connectors) - there are two different types: 2 point and 3 point SFC's. For a rag-top, I'd suggest going for the 3-point SFC's. SLP makes both a weld-on and bolt-on pair of 3-point SFC's. Here's the link:
posted
Wow,.. thanks for all the advice. I will defninately opt for the Bilstein setup,.. I hear it comes with sways and some bushings as well as struts and springs.
I am assuming a strut brace is mandatory, especially on a convertible,.. yes?
Also, WTF is a "panhard bar?"
Posts: 3 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Oct 2001
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Which bushings do you have? I've heard some not so good things about poly/poly so I'm thinking of going either poly/rod end or double rod end ... I'm slowly moving towards a "no-compromise" autoX setup ... Wes has beating the S2000 consistently firmly in his sights
I used the bushings that came with the BMR Tourque arm, poly I believe, same with the Panhard bar, and LCA's.
I have left all others stock for now. I have the Bilstien option, and I think they are upgraded by SLP from the start. So far, no extra noises, but nice and tight.
BTW my SFC's are SLP bolt ons that were later welded on by SLP. That's what they suggested (Jeff Y.)
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
quote:Originally posted by Rolf: I am assuming a strut brace is mandatory, especially on a convertible,.. yes?
Also, WTF is a "panhard bar?"
Technically it's a SHOCK tower Brace ... 4th gen Camaro's have coil overs, not struts ... though most everyone calls them struts ... It's probably the easiest piece to do and is supposed to help.
"Panhard" is the bar that locates the rear axle left to right ... it's a stramped steel piece with rubber bushings. An adjustable panhard is pretty much mandatory for lowered cars to recenter the axle.
Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Thank you very much for the education! Is there a site somewhere I can go to to read about the 02 Camaro's suspension/chasis and tuning? Otherwise I will continue snooping this and the hoodscoop boards,...
I am not interested in x-cross, but I do think I would like a ~l" drop in ride height from "stock" bilstein setup. Would I need the panhard bar then???
Rolf
Rolf
Posts: 3 | From: San Jose, CA | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
I'd be careful lowering from stock. It changes lots of things, ground clearance, steering geometry etc.
Get the car, drive it, and if it appears to need help in certain situations then work on it. In stock form with the Bilstiens, you'll find it a very adequate performer.
My $0.03 Cdn.
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
Which bushings do you have? I've heard some not so good things about poly/poly so I'm thinking of going either poly/rod end or double rod end ... I'm slowly moving towards a "no-compromise" autoX setup ... Wes has beating the S2000 consistently firmly in his sights
Hey Art, if you want NO compromise, then it is rod ends on both ends of the LCA's and panhard rod. They are clunky. I have rod ends on one end and poly on the other. I tried to get rid of some of the noise. I think I will replace the poly ends with rods. It sounds like my rear end is going to fall off most of the time I hit small bumps anyway so whyt not go all the way. The poly's can bind in hard corners. The rod or soetime called heim or chrome moly joints are no compromise road course or autocross joints. Mine will all be rod ends when I am done. I think the the STB and sway bars and sub frame connectors make the biggest difference. Sway bars remove the body roll. I used to think there want' that much roll in the SS. Then I got the Z06. The SS has a lot of body roll. I am going to get bigger sway bars to try and help that. My cars will never be drag cars. I want them to turn better than anything on the road. Sorry so long, I have a lot of time thinking about this subject.
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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