Shark Racer

Took the 78 out and flogged my new suspension out. This kit is GREAT.

If anyone is concerned with handling on your car, Bilstein sports are most definitely the way to go.

Here is my current setup:

Swaybars: 1.125" front, 7/16" rear. Stock Gymkhana spec bars.

Springs: 550 lb front, 360 lb fiberglass rear.

Shocks: Bilstein sports all around.

Poly bushings only on the rear spring bolts. Rubber everywhere else, for now.

Car drives very predictably, does not want to swap ends, and grip far exceeds that of MOST cars. Non-sports cars. It is one of the most pleasureful cars I've ever driven short of a C4.

The C4 I drove was a 92 w/ the adjustable ride control. FX3? Anyways. I could easily throw that car into a corner at 10 mph faster than my car, and it complained much less. However, the handling characteristics of the two cars are very similar, and the 78 feels like it might even have *less* body roll. The 78 definitely does not feel like a 'heavy' car. Try driving a new Mustang GT. That feels like a heavy car.

I absolutely love this suspension. It's a blast. Can't wait to do smart struts, new tires and rims!

You can feel free to guess what's going on in my sig pic. :)

-Steve

Desertdawg

Your trying to get some pictures of bug guts on your camera lens?????

71roadster

When you list your suspension setup, you leave out the most significant bit of information (by a HUGE margin), your tires! Nothing you do to your suspension will make as big a difference as using a real performance tire. And unfortunately, there just aren't any in a 15" street tire anymore. Doesn't a C4 run 16's or 17's? That right there will account for all the difference.

Chris

Shark Racer

You're absolutely right - but I do believe that I've just about maximized usage of the current meats (Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s, 255-60-15), by the suspension tweaks I've done. The only thing left is an alignment, and who knows where that will get me as far as handling goes. Car should at least be more confident on the freeway.

The 92 C4 was running 275-40-17 Michelin Pilot sports. What I meant to say above: "However, the handling characteristics of the two cars are very similar, and the 78 feels like it might even have *less* body roll. The only thing that keeps the 78 from performing like or at least closer to the C4, are the rims and tires." I suffer from posting under the influence of drowsiness. :)

-Steve

terryrudy

NICE!
Will be curious to see how this all changes when you get smart struts and then 17 inchers and nice tires. I did it all at once so it was mostly one big change for me. You may or may not like having that rear sway bar on there. I think you will like the smart struts too and its a relatively cheap and painless upgrade as well.
-terry

Shark Racer

Thanks, Ter! I'm curious too, as I'll be going a slightly different route than you.

How's it coming w/ the TPI upgrade? We need to get together again sometime.

-Steve