Handling

[airboatgreg]

Thinking down the road a little bit on my 1982 El C. I have decided to go the 373 9" rear end. I do not have a rear stabilizer bar and think it would be a good idea as well as neat, relatively cheap and actually may make car handle better. I have the factory style air shocks as I like a little rake. (Little) The front end is tight and I replaced the front springs with Moog OEM replacements and medium line gas shocks about 7 years ago. I have seen where some of you have replaced the steering gear box. Different ratio? What out of? Also have seen where you eliminated the rag joint. Have any of you installed Bilstein shocks on the front? Was it worth it?
Suggestions for better handling? I drive 3 miles of dirt road every time I drive it. So when I go to work it is a 60 mile round trip. Not a daily driver though, just a fun car that I like.

 

[Streetbu]

Biggest single improvement was going to low, wide tires. Size will depend on your budget. I had 245/50/16 for a long time. Amazing difference. Just bought 275/35/18 for all four corners but it also may require a frame notch depending on the wheels you choose... Rear sway bar will help, bigger front sway bar too. Yes different steering box helps. Usually just a box from a F41 car so you get the 12.7 ratio. Simple bolt in

 

[airboatgreg]

I have 245/60r 15 with rally wheels that I like so will stay with them. I know a lot of list due to larger side wall. F41 car? 3rd gen Camaro? Optional suspension package?

 

[Jeff L]

A good example of the F41 handling package would be the stock parts from an 84-88 Monte Carlo SS. The F41 was standard and had the front and rear sway bars plus the coveted 12.7 ratio steering box many like over the other ratios available in regular Regals for example.

My 86 Regal had the F41 option but with the standard 14 tires, “looser” feeling steering, and all the creature comforts that made the Regal not jar over every bump. It handled better then my non F41 1982 Regal, but not as tight in cornering as my 85 SS where all three cars being the way they came from the factory with original tires in my comparison.

So many other things affect handling like tires, springs, shocks, frame, etc. Hopefully you can find that happy medium where you can get you car to handle the way you like without breaking the bank. Good luck.

 

[UNGN]

A rear swaybar will completely change the way the car (truck) handles. Probably the biggest single change on a G-body that doesn't have one.
Most other changes are incremental improvements, going to a bigger this or a stiffer that.

Going from none to having one will be night vs. day. You'll find the car will take on/off ramps much faster and not plowing anymore when turning will the first thing you notice. You'll also notice that the car will feel like it is rotating around its center of gravity instead of being drug around by the front tires.

 

[michmalibuman]

Do they make a 12.7 manual box? 🤔

 

[UNGN]

Do they make a 12.7 manual box? 🤔

No. There aren't any fast manual boxes due to the leverage required.

The practical car weight limit for a fast manual box is less than 2,500 - 2800 lbs unless it has a rear weight bias (like a Porsche 911).

My miata (2,200 lbs) has a manual rack/pinion and I put a larger than stock diameter steering wheel on it for leverage and it still can take a lot of effort trying to move the wheel fast (with 225 wide tires). Fast ratio doesn't help if you can't generate enough force to move it fast.

 

[melloelky]

UNGN is rite adding a rear bar,that'll make a big difference.if it's in your budget consider using a chassis mounted style bar over the stock style that bolts to the control arms.the stock style bar isn't very efficient,it actually "works" by placing the rear suspension in bind.and that's something these parallel four link cars don't need more of.

 

[pontiacgp]

I have 245/60r 15 with rally wheels that I like so will stay with them. I know a lot of list due to larger side wall. F41 car? 3rd gen Camaro? Optional suspension package?

you have no worries about the "larger" sidewall affecting the handling, the Hoosiers we used on our circle track cars has at least a 60 ratio and here is the tire dimesntions from a Formula 1 and they are the best handling cars in the world...

 

[fleming442]

^^^^^Sweet reference!