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Handling upgrade - experienced advice please

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Old 01-26-2010, 06:49 PM
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Handling upgrade - experienced advice please

Im looking to upgrade the old balt's handling and I need some 'professional' advice on what route to take.

Just so you know, Im not looking to turn my car into the next fast and furious. I've got some things done to it already so Im not looking for speed. Im looking for things that will make the car run smoother and healthier for the long run.

thanks
Old 01-26-2010, 06:52 PM
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Lowering springs without struts is going to be bad news. Get SS/TC struts, shocks, and springs. To compliment that, get the OTT rear sway bar. A good set of sticky tires will help also.
Old 01-26-2010, 06:55 PM
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Pedders Springs
SS/TC FE5 Struts/shocks, make sure to keep your stock struts because the new ones do not include any bushings, dust boot, or top hat
OTTP Street Rear Swaybar
Old 01-26-2010, 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by slowswap
Lowering springs without struts is going to be bad news. Get SS/TC struts, shocks, and springs. To compliment that, get the OTT rear sway bar. A good set of sticky tires will help also.


How about a front strut bar too.
Old 01-26-2010, 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ls1fbody
Pedders Springs
SS/TC FE5 Struts/shocks, make sure to keep your stock struts because the new ones do not include any bushings, dust boot, or top hat
OTTP Street Rear Swaybar
This + Hardcore

Originally Posted by stonny9
How about a front strut bar too.
That was a joke right?

Last edited by JL-KA; 01-26-2010 at 06:57 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Old 01-26-2010, 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by stonny9
How about a front strut bar too.
Front strut bars do absolutely nothing for performance, the shock towers are welded to the firewall, therefore very stiff. GM Performance Division did computer analysis to confirm this.

Front sway bar, if that's what you mean, is still unnecessary. The stock FE5 front bar is a good balance.

Originally Posted by JL-KA
This + Hardcore
I put street bar because the hardcore one is meant for autocross and track oriented cars. I believe the OP intends to just have some fun doing "spirited" driving, and for that the Street Bar is a perfect match.

Last edited by ls1fbody; 01-26-2010 at 06:59 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Old 01-26-2010, 06:59 PM
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Front strut bar will do nothing but add understeer.
Old 01-26-2010, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by slowswap
Front strut bar will do nothing but add understeer.
Yep.
Old 01-26-2010, 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by ls1fbody
Yep.
Doesn't it suck to be so smart at times? lol
Old 01-26-2010, 08:25 PM
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these are all good tips, thanks.

by any chance, has any one ever had a problem with squeaking noises in colder climates? when it gets cold around here, every time i hit a bump a hear squeaking... I could swear to god its sounds like my suspension.

Originally Posted by ls1fbody
Pedders Springs
SS/TC FE5 Struts/shocks, make sure to keep your stock struts because the new ones do not include any bushings, dust boot, or top hat
OTTP Street Rear Swaybar
have you by any chance ever heard of a squeaky suspension issue? during colder climate here, every time i hit a bump I hear squeaking and could swear its my suspension.

Last edited by Boost Fr33k; 01-26-2010 at 08:25 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Old 01-28-2010, 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by slowswap
Front strut bar will do nothing but add understeer.
Oh I have never heard anything negative about putting them on a car including the cobalt but I dont really follow the suspension/handling scene as I dont autocross my car.
Old 01-28-2010, 11:01 PM
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i put the eibach sway bars front and rear, sportlines (1" front, 1.3" rear), and new struts and handling feels great. biggest difference was when i put the sway bars on....
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