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NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:57 pm
by berettaboy
I have a 96 beretta (base and converting it to somewhat like a z26 blah blah blah) and i would like to redo the suspension cause i believe the original suspension is still there and that can't be good. Anyways if i am going to redo the whole suspension i need to know what parts i need... i have know clue what a beretta suspension consists of. (front and rear) if some one could please post a list of the needed parts it would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone has any recommendations of brands and websites that would also help. Thanks for your help
P.S. i don't want to lower my car, i just want to have a good nice riding suspension that handles well(prolly a step above stock replacements, just wanna have a nice suspension)
Re: NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:29 am
by Asylum
Well a quick look in my parts catalogue is not too encouraging on a '96.
It appears the Z26 got basically the same suspension as the base model save for the front stabilizer bar part number 2259-6732, which of course is no longer available from GM, however Vintage Parts has them.
http://www.vpartsinc.com
The most popular swap is to Eibach springs and KYB struts and shocks, but that will lower the car a little. However the improvement is pretty impressive, and most Berettas look better a little lower.
The Eibach part number is 3844.140
KYB Rear Shocks... KG4552
Right Strut... 235604
Left Strut... 235605
You can search the net for deals on those parts.
http://www.tirerack.com would be a good starting point
Re: NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 5:55 pm
by dhenderz
I would recommend you do some junk yard searching and get the parts you need from a Z26 directly. I would go after the front & rear stab bars and springs (again, assuming you are just looking for the factory ride height). Given the age/mileage of the car, I'll bet that any new stuts & shocks will make it feel 1000% better. But as long as you are making the switch certainly go for the KYB's.
When you go for the spring swap make sure you know you spring code (from your option label) and then print off the L-car spring charts I have posted over at Bnet. Find the corresponding spring codes for your car's weight, but off the FE7 rate chart. That way when you head to the JY you will know exactly what to look for and you won't end up with your car either sitting too low or too high.
Re: NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 7:56 pm
by Asylum
You need to really be careful as to what will fit a '96!
Not to "dis" on the above, he's a smart guy, but GM seems to have given up when '96 rolled around. There was not going to be a '97, and they were basically using up already engineered and paid for parts.
The parts catalogue lists NOTHNG in the Sport Suspension for '96. (You can look at the parts catalogue from the Home Page on here).
That said there may well be spring codes on the springs, but I would be surprised.
Buy the Eibach and KYB package and be happy. 99% of us here are.
FWIW!

Re: NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:06 pm
by dhenderz
Even if the factory didn't put anything sport on the Z26's for the final MY, that doesn't mean you can't use parts from prior MY's. The rear suspension was the same from 94 - 96 if I recall correctly. The front was basically the same from beginning to end, with a few differences along the way for brake caliper location & stab bar attach point. Otherwise, mix & match.
Even if the springs themselves have lost their tags, the spring codes are included in the option label.
Re: NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:16 pm
by woody90gtz
87-94 rears are different than 95-96. I had that issue when I went to use my 95 Eibachs on my 91... had to get a different set.
I've had FE7, FE3 & Eibach on 3 different cars. My advice is to go with the Eibach.
Re: NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:55 pm
by 3X00-Modified
woody90gtz wrote:87-94 rears are different than 95-96. I had that issue when I went to use my 95 Eibachs on my 91... had to get a different set.
After all the threads about the 94 and older being different you didn't realze that till you tried to use them just last year?
Your slow.... lol
Re: NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 4:55 pm
by berettaboy
okay thanks for the help... we just got a z26 parts car and it came with brand new gabriel ultra shocks for front and back.. they were still in the box so im just gonna use them for the time being.
Re: NEED HELP with suspension
Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:34 pm
by Barry
3X00-Modified wrote:woody90gtz wrote:87-94 rears are different than 95-96. I had that issue when I went to use my 95 Eibachs on my 91... had to get a different set.
After all the threads about the 94 and older being different you didn't realze that till you tried to use them just last year?
Your slow.... lol
Whata noooob
