G-BODY Suspenion comparison.

[Mechanic Nerd]

Spent some time searching threads today and last night. Found some good stickies on suspension upgrades, also found some information on what allot of guys are currently running. I Have a 1981 cutlass base with a sbc and 400 turbo. (Powertrain listed for weight purposes). Im currently looking to upgrade my suspension set up. Car is a street car. Might see a track once a year if i get the hankering. Firstly i thought about refreshing the suspension with all the things listed in the #1 sticky thread as my suspension is mostly just tired. But i have some money to spend, i plan on keeping the car and continue upgrading it to make it my little street monster.

Now to get to the meat of the question. I talked with UMI performance. They recommend the stage 2.5 handling kit. And it looks like it will do great, specially comparing to stock suspension. Anyone have any experience with the kit? Would it be worth it to just spend the extra $$$ and get the stage 4 kit? For the same price or less is there a better kit to go with? Does anyone have experience with actual seat time using different UMI kits, or even UMI versus other manufacturers. Its one thing to look online and say "well that looks great and sounds great" but some real life experience input would be awesome.

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

I'm interested in seeing what people have to say, I've got some UMI stuff but it's not installed yet.

 

[MrSony]

I'll say this, i noticed a night and day difference between factory standard g body suspension and upgrading to F41 spec springs, sway bars and bracing along with new body bushings. Everything else is stock.
Bilstien shocks all around also was also a massive difference in the feel of the car. However if you don't feel like hunting down the factory bracing, UMI triangulated front brace and rear shock tower brace along with their sway bars and some decent rubber it'll handle like a dream.
Consider upgrading or at least refreshing your brakes as well.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

At the age G bodies are at, the factory body mount bushings are long shot and should be the first step for a suspension upgrade. Be warned that when you replace body bushings you are likely to find corrosion problems that will need repairing too.

 

[64nailhead]

UMI doesn't sell junk that doesn't work. I've never bought one of their kits, but I have multiple UMI components in multiple vehicles - very good stuff and their customer service is AWESOME.

The difference that I can see between the two kits is adjustable upper rears - I'd buy the Stage 4 if you're willing to buy the Stage 2.5. You'll want to be able to adjust the pinion angle and side to side alignment.

 

[Mechanic Nerd]

At the age G bodies are at, the factory body mount bushings are long shot and should be the first step for a suspension upgrade. Be warned that when you replace body bushings you are likely to find corrosion problems that will need repairing too

Im Glad you spoke up on this. I totally didnt even think about body mounts!

 

[Mechanic Nerd]

I'll say this, i noticed a night and day difference between factory standard g body suspension and upgrading to F41 spec springs, sway bars and bracing along with new body bushings. Everything else is stock.
Bilstien shocks all around also was also a massive difference in the feel of the car. However if you don't feel like hunting down the factory bracing, UMI triangulated front brace and rear shock tower brace along with their sway bars and some decent rubber it'll handle like a dream.
Consider upgrading or at least refreshing your brakes as well.

Thanks for sharing your information! Brakes were definately right after suspension on my agenda. Being that umi and these other large companies allow you to piece together kits as you go trying your recommended up grades also allow for a little cash flow in upgrading the brakes at the same time. Might be a good starting point for me.

 

[Mechanic Nerd]

UMI doesn't sell junk that doesn't work. I've never bought one of their kits, but I have multiple UMI components in multiple vehicles - very good stuff and their customer service is AWESOME.

The difference that I can see between the two kits is adjustable upper rears - I'd buy the Stage 4 if you're willing to buy the Stage 2.5. You'll want to be able to adjust the pinion angle and side to side alignment.

thanks for confirming thier quality. Good customer service also goes a long ways when spending any amount of money. I had overlooked the importance of the adjustability. I just stared at both kits like a kid in a candy store 🤣

 

[64nailhead]

thanks for confirming thier quality. Good customer service also goes a long ways when spending any amount of money. I had overlooked the importance of the adjustability. I just stared at both kits like a kid in a candy store 🤣

I should mentioned in the previous post that you should be making a choice based on how you intend to use the car. If you are only interested in straight line racing, then I'd go a different route, etc. But that kit will work awesome for a great cruiser that adds 20-30 years of handling increase. Tire size and alignment will turn it into a truly friendly car to drive on the street.

 

[doood]

I've got UMI sway bars front and back with Bilstein shocks and v6 springs 17x8 wheels and summer Z rated tires. Original body mounts, 30,000 mile low mile car. After installation of the aftermarket shocks/sway bars the car never bottomed out ever again and body doesn't roll noticeably. Honestly, feels like it could take a 25 mph exit off the highway at 50 mph. I also have the triangle UMI front brace and the shock tower brace; I'm not sure they do anything but look mean.