The best handling combo?

[MercuryMarquis89]

What is the best way to get the best handling out of my GM?

[MercuryMarquis89]

Right now when i take corners it likes to float to the outside of turns.

[85crownHPP]

get a police rear sway bar and a bigger front one if you dont already have a 1 1/8 up front. Then get some good shocks and it will be much improved. you can get stiffer springs too if you want to go that far.

[MercuryMarquis89]

I want to go all the way, I am hoping to get my GM to hold the road like my old 99 cougar would.

[Blaze86Vic]

Well, time for QA1 shocks, coild over shock conversion for the rear, and 1000lb+ springs for the front, bigger sway bars than are available (ie custom needed), and strip interior and all other non essential parts. Catching this thing up to a compact sports car is going to take a whole lot.

[DuceAnAHalf]

dont forget to ditch the un parallel 4-bar rear suspension set up. go for either a 3-link set up or a IRS. Also a cage will help to stiffen the frame.

[GoodSamaritan]

Can't break the laws of physics. You can get that car to handle surprisingly well for a 2 ton luxo barge without a whole lot of money, but it would take a lot of work and $$$ to make it handle as well as a car half it's weight.

My first suggestion would be to take a look at your front sway bar. Measure the diameter of it and let us know what you have. If it is respectable then a set of the poly bushings and end links would do a lot for body roll up front.
Better shocks will also make for an improvement.

The Grand Marquis have softer springs than a standard crown vic. I would swap in a stiffer set of springs as well.

Tires are also a factor, I would suggest 16" wheels and some sticky tires with a stiff sidewall for better handling as well.

Then there is the previously mentioned rear sway bar from a cop car.

If you get through all that, then the car will be world's apart from the way it handles now.

BTW, if you swap out your springs, I might be iterested in your old ones from the front, assuming the car isn't sagging.

Bryan

[mrltd]

Just upgrade the springs, shocks and put a PI rear bar on it...Bigger front bar makes for more oversteer. Poly bushings throughout. And low profile tires make a big difference also.

[MercuryMarquis89]

I am going to replace the front springs for sure and you are more than welcome to them, i dont need anymore "spare parts" laying around. The city is already all over me to get rid of what i have.

[N A]

Your car looks familiar, but I don't think I've ever seen a GM in that color.

[GoodSamaritan]

Hey, could you measure from center of the wheel to the top of the fender opening on the front fenders?

I can figure out whether your springs are taller than mine, from that.

[MercuryMarquis89]

Not a problem ill do it tommrow and post it.

N A - Mine is a year older than yours but the same model, i thought your was the same color.

[zwack88]

Have you checked out what GMGT has done to his car? http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?t=939 There is the link to his suspention mods. If I had a box I would probably do that cause it seems like you would get good performance for not a horrible amount of cash.

[Lincolnmania]

make sure the front suspension and steering components are tight with no play

[MercuryMarquis89]

im pretty sure my ball joints are going