Box Suspension upgrades and handling improvement

[capri755]

Hey guys I'm starting to wonder about suspension upgrades for my 84 gm.

so far I've read this http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...her-suspension, but that's it.

I honestly have no knowledge on this subject, and I don't have any idea what the car can actually handle, I just know I'd like to be a little more efficient at going around corners and getting off the line. what direction should I head in?

[jaywish]

There are many things you can do but what i have found works for me, and I am just talking about spirited driving not drag racing. Bigger front sway(if you do not have a wagon or cop car), completely fix the worn out front end (e.g. bushings, ball joints, idler, pitman, tie rods, springs and shocks of your choice). Do the 98-02 brake upgrade at the same time.

In the rear make it a posi (maybe do all the bearings at the same time depending on mileage) Add a nice sway bar, springs and shocks of your choice. Check the bushings. Do the rear disk brake upgrade. (either 92-02 easier? or 03-11)

upgrade to 16" rims for a bit better rubber and I believe they are needed for the big brakes.

All to taste. Like I said this makes it handle respectably, not necessarily a race car. You do not have to do the rear brakes at the same time as the other rear upgrades but doing the fronts when you rehab the front end really makes sense. You may want to do the rear brakes first as I found that doing the front upgrade first made the fronts lock up too easy. You may need an adjustable proportioning valve.

This is a good deal of work and money, if time and money are short this is the work order I suggest.
1) new wheels and rubber
2) rear brakes
3) complete front end work
4) the remaining rear work

Unless your front end is dangerous then take care of that first.

If you plan it out, decide on your parts, shop for prices, then you can get the biggest, best bang for the buck.

[85crownHPP]

If you have the cash and/or knowhow, you can easily make these cars corner well enough to make most people pucker up big time, without even breaking tire traction. The first step (of many) is usually wider tires/wheels, big sway bars (with poly front links) and better shocks. These make a world of difference by themselves and may satisfy you. Of course, as mentioned, only after replacing any worn out front end parts.
A limited slip rear (and good tires) is all you will need to get off the line... no need to worry about anything else until you are putting down serious power.

[turbo2256b]

Biggest improvements are stiffer springs, shocks to match the spring rate and the widest tires possable.

[gadget73]

Even if you dont go wider tires, get better ones. Cheap ass tires suck, and the best suspension in the world will be limited if you put crappy shoes under it.

[turbo2256b]

One other thing to watch for on tires is load rating. Perty much the higher the better. I tried some 1400 lbs load rating tires on the front once. I turned in my road then the drivemy son was laughing. Said whats up. He said your car is turning one way and the tires the other. I dont screw around in my neibour hood just driving normal. I had a feeling something was going on before that. Put my 275 50 15s back on thier rated at 2050 lb. Ride better corner better.

[capri755]

WOW...thanks guys all of that was extremely helpful. This is definitely work I want to start now and try to finish by the end of this year. I've done a bit of front end work within the last year, (ball joints, idler, bushings, tie rods and sway bar links)

the question I have now is..where to find the parts, specifically the sway bars, springs/shocks (what is a respectable spring rate?) and the parts for the disc upgrade and is it a bolt on process? Is there a panther performance parts retailer that I'm missing?

lol sorry for all the noob questions

[jaywish]

Where are you?

[johnunit]

There's ADTR.net but they don't sell much for boxes, if anything. I've never gotten a straight answer on whether the rear control arms they sell for 92-97's fit.


There's no retailer that caters to box panthers, really.


How extreme do you wanna go? Full roadracing spec, or just a firmer daily driver that can do some autocrossing or what?


Generally we buy springs from Speedway Springs or police-spec springs can be had at a regular autoparts store.

For the rest of the bits, sway bar and police rear control arms and stuff, you basically will be scouring junkyards, Ebay and this site for used items.

[zoomie]

limo springs are fun