Getting my car to handle, What is my next step ?

[Kamloops cutlass]

Everything I've been in that handled good had a high spring rate.
That does not mean you can put a high spring rate in a bus and expect to play with a Corvette but no one thing will replace high spring rates.
After that it's sway bars, stiff shocks, low profile tires. For your car old body bushings with a few probably missing. The frame is wiggling around under the car. A full set of poly's will connect the body to the frame. I'm not here to discourage bracing but adding hundreds of lbs of bracing helps while it hurts.

What do you have for rear upper control arm bushings?

I have possibly the original bushings back there as well
They appeared to be ..”ok” but I am planning to replace them now
Aftermarket trailing arms with bushing already installed don’t seem to be all that expensive , might go that route

 

[64nailhead]

The biggest sway bars you can find. UMI rear, and later 442 , MC ( I think) front. 1 - 1 1/8 front. Then add a wheel and tire that has a low profile. This will make a big difference.

Of course the the body bushings need to be in hood working order. Calling Bruce - hockey pucks work great.

 

[scoti]

I read through the suggestions & discussions regarding the different areas to scrutinize.

What I didn't see was what were your alignment specs after getting it aligned? Factory specs are less than optimal as far as cornering performance goes so that could be a big piece of the puzzle if things aren't optimized.

 

[Kamloops cutlass]

I read through the suggestions & discussions regarding the different areas to scrutinize.

What I didn't see was what were your alignment specs after getting it aligned? Factory specs are less than optimal as far as cornering performance goes so that could be a big piece of the puzzle if things aren't optimized.

Yes they were stock specs for the alignment with stock replacement ball joints
I will use taller ball joints when I replace control arm bushings

 

[307 Regal]

Although larger sway bars and stiffer springs will reduce body roll and improve confidence, I think that the best thing you can really do is start getting seat time at autocross events. From first hand experience, sticky tires will be fun but actually rob you of teachable moments. Go out on whatever tires you have now and push their limits. You can learn more in two events on bad tires than you can in 5 events on great tires. And once you know what your car will do in various situations, you'll better know what the car needs or doesn't need.
My earliest and favorite suspension mod was sway bars. They made the car feel confident. But let it be said that extra confidence can take you farther into the deep end than you realize, and when your head goes under it's best to already know how to swim.

 

[86LK]

Although larger sway bars and stiffer springs will reduce body roll and improve confidence, I think that the best thing you can really do is start getting seat time at autocross events. From first hand experience, sticky tires will be fun but actually rob you of teachable moments. Go out on whatever tires you have now and push their limits. You can learn more in two events on bad tires than you can in 5 events on great tires. And once you know what your car will do in various situations, you'll better know what the car needs or doesn't need.
My earliest and favorite suspension mod was sway bars. They made the car feel confident. But let it be said that extra confidence can take you farther into the deep end than you realize, and when your head goes under it's best to already know how to swim.

solid advice that won't sway you

 

[Supercharged111]

solid advice that won't sway you

So how many kids do you have?

 

[86LK]

So how many kids do you have?

1

 

[Supercharged111]

1

I was right then, you are a dad.

 

[86LK]

I was right then, you are a dad.

my wife tells worse jokes that my daughter laughs at....