better launching? front end upgrades?

[killinprixs]

Are there any good upgrades for the front suspension?  Im guessing my 5 speed car is currently in the 260hp range and when i launch the car, the front points to the moon which in return brings the top of the tires out (wicked positve camber) . It causes insane torque steer all the way into 3rd gear, and the car practically changes lanes by itself...  Would lowering the front help this problem ?  If so does anyone have any info/advice on rebuilding the coil overs?    thanks

[GPChief]

I'd start with the basics, new bushings, strut mounts, ball joints, sway bar bushings, then go from there. 

I only know of one person who lowered and did the 5-speed swap - Kuntzie....he coudnt keep the front end together after making some diecent power.  One possible solution if you start having issues is raising the engine and trans with spacers (see link)

http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_prix/products1.php?id=856&catid=138

Personally I am cheap and like the money I have, so I'll just make my own.

[pontiac6ksteawd]

Better launching first starts with rear suspension.. Weight transfer, especially on W-bodys, is bad with FWD. Gotta stiffen up the rear end so the weight transfer doesnt happen, giving you more weight up front for less wheel spin and better launches. Struts, coil overs, bushings, etc. The 97+ guys use spring blockers from GTO's to tighten up the rear end during launches. Then when you get the back end tightened up, you gotta stiffen up the front end. Struts, springs, bushings, etc. The rear end is easier, but more costly from what I have heard..

[killinprixs]

well blocking the rear is a given, its just a matter of finding where to order or possible making them.  Im gonna get pictures of the car, its insane how high the front is IMO. I dont know if it has anything to do with the trans being about 80-100 pounds lighter.  So i can just swap the springs out and be all set? Does anyone know how low kuntzi dropped his becuase if i remember correctly his car is pretty slammed and im not trying to have axle shattering problems .  that is a good idea to raise the engine but hopefully i wont be dropping it that low to need that.

[mfewtrail]

If you only want it to launch better for track use only, you can block the rear struts by using pvc tubing. Take 1'' diameter pvc tubing and split it in half like in the following picture. Then you remove the protective strut boot(leaving the rubber jounce bumper in the top of it in is up to you or you can remove it too), jack up the car, place two halves of the pvc tubing around the strut shaft and clamp them in place with a hose clamp, and finally lower the car. You can jack up the car and get an idea of the length you want to run. I would not completely block the strut, about 6 to 6.5'' should be plenty. The pvc tubing might eat up the jounce bumpers if you do leave them in. Without the jounce bumper, I probably had about 8'' of strut shaft length to use...but I decided to go with 6.5, 6.75, and 7'' blockers if I remember correctly. I plan on running these on the TGP next time at the track as the front end lifts quite a bit when I launch. Credit goes to Jud(RIP) aka sleeperred90tgp for the idea.

tubing halves in various lengths.


installed on my '93 GP for testing purposes.

[GPChief]

Kuntzie had used the lowering springs...........I often wondered if there was a different spring set up from the manual cars that one could use??

[GOT2B GM]

the redneck rake :laugh:

[TGP Nick]

Krenzy had used the lowering springs...........I often wondered if there was a different spring set up from the manual cars that one could use??

No he didn't.  Kyle's suspension was stock.

[GPChief]

No he didn't.  Kyle's suspension was stock.

Corrected Kuntzie not Krenzy  :gr_guns:

[killinprixs]

thats a great idea thanks!  I will do that... i kinda like the rear up high like that... but i need to  lower the front a little, so all i need is the springs?  GOT2bGM isnt your car lowered? how low is it? whered you get the springs from?

[GOT2B GM]

Intrax up front and a Birchmount steel lowering leaf out back. The rear spring is fairly stiff and doesn't allow for much squat at launch.


http://on.finditincanada.ca/app/obj?oid=535450&returnTo=%2Fapp%2Fsearch%2Fcat-103321

located just east of Toronto

[GOT2B GM]

This is how low it is



I would say 2 inches all around drop

[GOT2B GM]

I also have KYB GR2 struts, addco 7/8 rear swaybar with poly bushings, AWEB80 rear strut tower brace, GMPP trailing arms out back. KYB GR2 struts, LQ1 34mm front swaybar with poly bushings and a CS vert FSTB on the front.

But those are more handling mods.

[killinprixs]

thanks for the info that looks sick.  looks more like 3 inches shes pretty low.

[mfewtrail]

the redneck rake :laugh:

You know you're jealous!  ;) :laugh: I think I had the 7'' blockers in there, it was sitting HIGH. Next time I take the TGP to the track, I'm going to throw a set of the blockers in and try them out.