G body suspension

[Jay84SS]

Hey guys i have a 1984 monte carlo ss and it is mainly a street car but will be on the drag strip and auto x and road races courses. I want the car to handle better on the street as that is where it is 95% of the time. I am looking for ideas on what to upgrade or any other info that you all may be able to offer and the cheaper the better. If more info is need let me know.

[jackfrost]

welcome to the site. best idea is to use the search function at the top, this topic has been discussed a lot.

[Jay84SS]

Ok thanks i'll try that.

[Eric Howell]

I get to say it first lol. Call Marcus at SC&C.
http://www.scandc.com/index.htm

[T-CHRGD]

Another good link:
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/brakes-suspensions-tires-wheels/268785-how-make-gbody-handle.html

:)

[Norm Peterson]

Linky #1 (https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58283).

Post #7 in this thread (https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20602). Shocks are Bilsteins (2WD S10 up front to better match the springs), bars are 32mm/22mm with polyurethane-bushed endlinks (the poly has been modified), and there are some modified polyurethane control arm bushings. Most of the body mounts are 88A durometer poly. Wheels are 15 x 8.5, about -13mm offset/4.25" backspacing, and yes, I had to do a little trimming and clearancing. There's less than 1/16" clearance to the outer tierod ends. Tires are only 225/60-15 (15" tire size availability for cars this heavy sucks).

This car.
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25159&d=1217937994


On edit - you might benefit from slightly different springs. More because your car's weight distribution is likely more front-heavy than mine than anything, the ride isn't at all what I'd call bad or harsh.


Norm

[rebelgtp]

I'm currently working on my 80 Cutty that is the same basic chassis as your Monte. One source that you might want to look for local is any guys that race G bodies in your area. I got a set of racing springs for free and loads of advice on tightening things up to make it handle. I plan on autocrossing, street driving and maybe some light road races with it.

Oh this link is good for showing the various factory bracing points that you can utilize to stiffen up your chassis. http://gbodyforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=8126

[BMR Tech]

It sounds like you are primarily just interested in improving the general handling in all areas, not building the car specifically for one purpose. What is optimal for drag racing is generally not good for handling however sometimes handling mods can improve drag strip times due to traction enhancements. Whether I want to believe it or not 1984 is 25 years ago so chances are you have some wore out bushings, tie rods, etc. That is the very first thing you want to fix to get the front end "tight" again. After that, there are endless options for improving handling in a G-body and whatever level you take it to will depend on your budget.

$500 budget recommendation: Bilstein shocks, higher rate lowering springs, and a polyurethane body mount bushing kit.

$1000: Above items plus non-adjustable upper and lower rear control arms and control arm mounting braces.

$1500: Above items plus upgrade to single adjustable QA1 shocks. Upgrade to larger diameter sway bars.

Of course you can continue to spend money but one thing that will compliment any of these modifications is an upgrade to a 17" wheel/tire combination....beyond these mods, there are tubular A-arms, spindle conversions, chassis reinforcements, etc.

[megaladon6]

to save money, box in the front lower control arms instead of tubular LCA's. and you can also put in delrin LCA bushings.
i have them with hotckis springs (they were free, i'd rather have the SPC's), bilstein/hotchkis shocks hps-1000, poly sway bar bushings, and tube rear arms. the car already had the f-f1 package. she handles extremely well.

[Tony_SS]

Here's my setup:


OPG 2" lowering springs (increased rate) -- Substitute Moog 5658, 5413 to save a few $$.
Bilstein Shocks
SC&C Stage I --(Adj SPC UCA's & Tall upper Ball Joints, aligned according to his 'street' settings)
UMI Upper and Lower RCA's (tubular)
Suspension Techinques Sway Bars (1 3/8" front, 1" rear)
17x8 and 17x9.5 wheels & Nitto 555 tires

And of course the factory jounce bars up front help stiffen the frame along with additional bracing under the hood that connects the firewall to the core support.

[Jay84SS]

Thanks for all the info guy. Right now i am more worried about getting the car to handel better than i am worring about how well it does at the drag strip.

[Norm Peterson]

I'll echo the suggestion to look at 17" rubber - the reason being that there simply isn't a whole lot available in the way of recent-tech tires in 15" sizes adequate for the car weight.

As far as auto-X is concerned, run time improvements rank starting with driver seat time, wheels/tires, everything else. Having a history enthusiastic cornering on the street actually counts for very little here.


Norm