I am wondering the different ride heighths from a non-z to a z. Or a better way to put it is how much lower is a z than a non-z. I have a 1995 base and my friend still has his original 1996 z suspension (springs and struts) that he is willing to give me. The car right now sits way to high. I have powdercoated (black) z rims on it and it looks kinda off with all the damn whellwell gap. I am also hoping the z struts will handle alittle better than mine (which one is popping at times) and the springs will give me better performance also.
There's not difference. All 95-05 J-Bodies got the same springs.
yup, same exact thing... the bodykit is the only thing that makes the car look lower. the struts should be pretty much the same too. i may be wrong, but i think the only diff between the suspension on a Z and on a non Z is that the Z has a rear sway bar(?) or a bigger on or something, but dont quote me on that.
look into a minor lowering spring if you wanna get rid of the extremely HATED wheel gap that plagues our cars.
good luck dude.
Thats what I kinda figured, but I wasn't sure. I think they may have put on alitlle beefier strut, but Im not sure. I have had some friends tell me they're z handled way better than my other friends base that they put the z's braces and sway bars on (the z got higher grade replacements). but I know they're could of been a thousand other reasons for that too. Anyhow apprechiate the help.
The struts are all close enough to be called the same. Z24s and GTs have a larger front sway bar and a torsion bar in the rear axle. Also the 16" wheels make a larger difference than most people think. 16" or 17" wheels are just about ideal for out cars (performance wise).
Nope. Same struts too. Just different stabilizers. That's what makes the difference in the handling.
...and if those are the original struts from 1996 they are probably shot too
WW is right about the struts. it might had come with better bushings as well "soft ride" i think was the term used. as for the bar welded in the back, wasn't that only in later models? I just don't remember if it was a phase 2 and up thing or not.
anyway back the the original post. the spring strut combination is the same regardless of the level of the J-body.
Yeah I talked to my friends today and they said the bushing were probably the difference. The struts off the 96 were new (supposedly) when the guy got the car and he soon changed them out with kybs and I believe ground control springs. But since we have two of everything we are going to take the worse off of the two spring sets and chop them for a quick drop. We are going cut them to be level so they sit properly in the perches, instead of just chopping a coil or two off. Basically we are going to take some extra time and cut the springs from the side down instead of from the top down (which would make it possibly come out of the perch or sit wrong in the perch). I know everyone hates the idea of cutting them but for now I just need to get it lower and I have originals uncut if anything happens. Getting the body straight comes before the major suspension work.
dude do not cut your springs its not safe your suspension is what keeps you on the road, or running off or it
do it right or don't do it at all, its not worth the risk
yes there are people who have done it, that doesn't make it any better
I don't wanna sound like I'm preaching but I don't want someone hurt do to ignorance of what can happen.
post up a how do i cut my springs post an see what happens.
I know people hate the idea of cutting springs and most problems with cutting come from improper cutting. My friend does it for his race car. You have to cut the spring from the side down giving you a level top instead of from the top down giving you a uneven top that is very easy to come out of the perch seat.. Though accidents can still happen no matter what. I have seen race cars with a basic quick cut of the springs have them come out, but I haveen't seen any with a proper cut come out (atleast not uness the rest of the suspension comes out or breaks). But these days I believe my friend is running new springs for best performance. The only reason that we are doing it is because the body has to be straighted and atleast primed by summer, I have a couple of shows to go to that possible sponsors want to see the car, so I need it to get it straight and lookin good, and sitting way up doesn't look good. with a little one on the way (late summer) I don't have the money for new springs and need the sponsors to finish the car.
Your buddies race springs are probably nothing like J-Springs. There are many reasons not to cut them. Mostly: The spring rate will be very wrong for the height (too low if you cut with a blade, too high if you cut by heat), and the springs will be brittle near the cut end.
You're playing with fire cutting your sprigns. Just don't be suprised if you get burnt.
yeah this I know but it's only for show. My other car is getting repaired now, so it will be my driver. When it gets done the cavy goes in to get the springs done and start the body work. It will onlt be drove once in awhile in town and to a couple of shows (nothing over 50 miles or it's getting trailered) before I get new springs.
race cars also don't do over pot holes and bad pavement!!
ONEOFFCONCEPTS wrote:I The only reason that we are doing it is because the body has to be straighted and atleast primed by summer, I have a couple of shows to go to that possible sponsors want to see the car, so I need it to get it straight and lookin good, and sitting way up doesn't look good. with a little one on the way (late summer) I don't have the money for new springs and need the sponsors to finish the car.
A primered car with cut springs is not going to get sponsored. A sponsor is only intrested in what you can do for his company. They want a top notch car that they can be afiliated with to sell there product.
dude dont cut your springs. its not hard to come up with $100 bucks to buy lowering springs.
chuck norris outran a cavalier. he just stood still.
cut springs on stock struts w/ a primer paint job is not going to get you anything. you have to finish your car first before you can start getting sponsored
i hear carsponsership.com has been looking for a 95-99 primered cavi to sponser...
Spotabee Racing (The Fake Z24) wrote:
Sorry that you aren't fond of me... I guess you seem to be a loner in that crowd bud.
...i beg to differ
the sponsors I have been talking to just want to see the car in the begining stages. Mostly the are small sponsors (audio, video, and interior). Which my interior will be painted and ready for the show just not the outside. Also there might be someone there that is thinking of sponsoring the paint job if everything is straight.
ONEOFFCONCEPTS wrote:I know people hate the idea of cutting springs and most problems with cutting come from improper cutting. My friend does it for his race car. You have to cut the spring from the side down giving you a level top instead of from the top down giving you a uneven top that is very easy to come out of the perch seat.. Though accidents can still happen no matter what. I have seen race cars with a basic quick cut of the springs have them come out, but I haveen't seen any with a proper cut come out (atleast not uness the rest of the suspension comes out or breaks). But these days I believe my friend is running new springs for best performance. The only reason that we are doing it is because the body has to be straighted and atleast primed by summer, I have a couple of shows to go to that possible sponsors want to see the car, so I need it to get it straight and lookin good, and sitting way up doesn't look good. with a little one on the way (late summer) I don't have the money for new springs and need the sponsors to finish the car.
Tried to cheap out on a Storm GSI of mine. Spring came off the spring seat, and long story short, drove the car with no front springs and two rounds out the back. For the love of all that is holy please do not cut your springs.
