F-Body Europe

OK. Here's a little stirrer for you. I've about done modifying my car although I've yet to run it to get a sign-off quarter mile but I remain unconvinced it will run much faster than it did before. Having said that, straight line performance is not the issue. I was expecting big things from my new suspension set-up and to be honest, it didn't really deliver. Sure, it's better and more stable but hardly a handling icon and short of a C5 Vette by some way I would imagine. A trip in wet weather through mid-Wales on a greasy and wet set of roads had the back end not so much twitching but not exactly inspiring confidence. Sure, I was still travelling between 60-80mph but it wasn't a rewarding drive and on these roads, get it wrong and there's nowhere to go. So I was considering the options:

Cheapest option - keep the car and fit some bigger (possibly C5) wheels so I can fit some stickier rubber to the back and then see if that is the answer. This option still leaves me with an automatic which is the biggest handicap as far as I can see.
Next option - swop it for an M6. Easier said than done as M6's are pretty rare over here and it would mean I have to do all the suspension again and before you say it, there are no SS's in the UK.
Next option - Skyline GTR (4WD)
Phenomenal handling is the big bonus. The R33 is within my price range but in stock form is slower than my Z28 in a straight line. There are plenty of available upgrades to push the output nearer to 500bhp though and many cars for sale which already have over 400. The R34 is supposed to be bulletproof but is a bit out of my price range. Disadvantages are double the insurance I'm paying now, expensive tyres and parts and servicing but as a handling package, possibly worth it.
Next option - Mitsubishi Evo VII
Can buy these brand new on import for about 23k. Peerless handling wet or dry, a 4 door supercar. 0-60 in 4.4 and 100 in 11.2. Beats the Subaru hands down. Disadvantages: As above. Tyres last 10k. Looks are impressive but can't beat a good coupe.
Next option - Toyota Supra
Not really an option as they're too common.

C5 is not an option as it's only got 2 seats and I need 3. The Holden is pig ugly evn if I could get one.

Lusifer I didn't even finish reading the post before chiming in. 1st your car will never handle like a C5 for obvious reasons, ie ind rear, and lighter for 2. Rain and fbody's in general seem not to mix but I beg to differ. I've done over a 100mph in the rain w/ Ryan in the car and he couldn't believe. Only reason I went that fast is because we saw light's coming up fast and to our surprise it was another Fbody! Doin 70 at the time and just stepped on and he was right there. Needless to say we were unsuccessful in flagin him down he wouldn't look our way and frankly 100mph for over 15 mins was pushing it so we backed off and he kept on. Had to be doing at least 110-115 cuz he was gone. I do avoid the puddles at all cost no matter the speed.

No if you want a true handling fbody at the expensive of comfort go spherical rod ends on everything and solid motor mounts w/ a 3pt strut tied into the firewall. Now you'll need better tires to handle the new susp for sure. Customized shocks and springs do wonders these cars w/ the right sway bars....very impressive.
Shedding the lbs in these cars is hard. Lightest I've seen a fbody was 3300 lbs w/ one reported @ 3210 that's unreal. I can't wait to weigh my sucker this spring I'm dying to know....

All in all it just comes down to what you want and if your not satisfied get something that will.

I'm not saying I'm not satisfied. Just not 100% but it's a question of balancing the options. Where else can you get this power from a car that is so cheap to maintain. A year ago I'd have killed someone to get an LS1 but you always want more. 95% of the time, I'm more than happy and I've done 130 in light rain on a good straight motorway or A-road and I don't drive slowly, which is probably part of the problem. My car rarely travekls anywhere slowly (except speed cameras). It's the rally-style hairpins, blind diesel covered bends, decaying autumn leaves and sheer rock faces and/or hedges on this route that showed up the limitations of the Zed but much the same can be said of any powerful rear-driver (a similar criticism was levelled at a ferrari 575M so I'm in good company). I think my main gripe is the fact that the chassis won't talk to you, you just feel that it's gonna go (whether it does or not) and you're not quite sure when....until it's too late. But as I've said before, the auto doesn't help as it's trying to change up and instead of using a manual gearbox to slow you down and set the car up for the bends, the inevitable braking in an auto unsettles the car and getting back on the power leads to a less than sophisticated kickdown that's guaranteed to fishtail the car. I just wish I'd bought and modified a manual as I loved my '87 Z28 5 speed but it lacked the power that this one has in spades. I'm certainly not knocking the F-body as it has many shining qualities that most supercars can't match.

Loose

What was your sway bar sizes and are they hollow? Do you have BMR rear LCA's also?

John, I believe that was me, when we were coming back from Nurnburg. I was scared SHITLESS!

I think tires make all the difference Lusifer. If you have the stock tires, you should definitely upgrade. I got the Bridgestone Potenza SO2s, and although expensive, I will recommend them to anyone. Now they have the SO3s but the price is well worth the performance. Wheel size also plays a pretty big factor. If you upgrade to something like 275/40/17, you will notice a big improvement.

Good luck.

I've got 32/21mm solid sway bars and I do have the chrome-moly LCA's but they aren't on yet although they won't affect the handling much. I also have the adj. PHB to fit but it's always raining at the moment. I think upgrading the rear tyres would be a sensible move. Does anyone know if the C5 wheels fit the F-body? I believe they're 18 inch wheels and I'm not that concerned by speedo accuracy. I think I read somewhere that they'll fit with spacers?

Most people I've heard from with 4th gens don't have fitment issues, but there are some who do. Sometimes you need spacers for the rears, but sometimes you don't. If you get them in the correct offset, you definitely won't have problems. If you go to http://www.aaarims.com you can maybe find out the correct offset. I have 17X9 rims with 275/40/17 tires and they help tremendously.

Hope this helps you!

Try tthis site for some suspension tuning and guidance
http://www.wtrscca.org/tech.htm.
Although it isot talked about , I was able to get rid of my over steer with 2lbs less of air in my tires in the rear.

John, Jack is right I remember that trip the car was a silver LS1 with racing stripes and some fugly tail light covers........... mine also handeled well up until about 115 until I scared the shat out of everyone in the car......

Yep, that was the one Scott. I'm really glad we pulled over, 'cause I know I was tired, and I think John was too! It's better to be a little late than to not come home at all. That is my philosophy.