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Suspension Beef!

Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 11:19 pm
by Koots
I'm looking to get my 95 Corsica as a strong DD, but I live in Goose Bay, Labrador...which is 300-500 miles from the nearest equivalent size town. Anyway...

I was looking into strut bars (any recommendations), a rear sway bar and new springs.

I had a set of good strut bars and a tow hitch on an old Civic I had and it made a world of difference. It let my sport suspension do it's work better and it hit bumps and dips with confidence. SO i'd like to see similar results with these as well. I just don't know where to buy from or which brand is worth my money.

Also, I was looking on another website that were selling Rally springs (slight lift) and a Bilstein dampers. That would set me back $1000 or so.

Those might be too harsh for a DD. I just want a comfortable controlled ride that could handle 60MPH+ driving on gravel/dirt roads for hours at a time. There's only 2 roads in and out of town, one is finishing being paved and the other is still gravel. So a car needs to be durable to handle runs up and down the road like I want to be.

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:48 am
by Koots
It seems I was looking at Mantapart and didn't see the 2 year old "We're Closed!!!" on the opening page :P

What's the best option out there for Ball-joints? anything better than Moog or ACDelco?

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:08 am
by 3X00-Modified
There is nothing wrong with Moog or ACDelco... I'm actually running Napa Premiums on mine and don't have any issues.

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:05 am
by Koots
3X00-Modified wrote:There is nothing wrong with Moog or ACDelco... I'm actually running Napa Premiums on mine and don't have any issues.

Moog and ACDelco are generally the best you can get, besides something extremely custom. I didn't mean to imply there was anything wrong with them.

Thanks for the response, sweet car too :D

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:08 am
by 3X00-Modified
I used to run Moog but went to Napa when I realized they use a slightly different design. Apparently Moog is not a full ball and Napa's are. But either do work.

This is a McQuay-Norris/Napa cross section
McQuay-Norris
McQuay-Norris
balljointsprodshot.gif (11.57 KiB) Viewed 6789 times
I don't have a Moog image for comparison though, so it could be marketing and the high end Moog's are very similar. But I hear many saying Spicer/McQuay-Norris is a very good brand.

And Thanks :)

Info I found from another site
Both NAPA and Raybestos use Affinia Group products... which boxes for Napa. Affinia owns brands like Wix Filters, Raybestos, Spicer, and many more...Federal Mogul owns Moog, Wagner, Precision, Carter...NAPA doesn't make products..they buy and put in their box...Most quality auto parts stores..not big box retailers which try to be the low cost providers..have an economy line as well as the premium line...

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:14 am
by DTMAce
Nice to see some Corsica owners on the board, welcome!

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:16 am
by Koots
We finally got a NAPA to open up here in my town, So I know who to go to for suspension parts. I always hear good things about Napa's premium and gold line of products.

Know of any place online that sells the cavy front strut bar and bottom brace?

I called the stealership and they don't carry that anymore...so i've got to seek elsewhere.

I love the smooth, boat like ride, but I can do with more stiffness in the chassis.

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:17 am
by Koots
DTMAce wrote:Nice to see some Corsica owners on the board, welcome!
I hope to represent the Corsica's by making a clean and optimized daily driver...with maybe a little lift LOL

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:17 am
by 3X00-Modified
95 Corsi the lower brace will not fit, the 4t60e is in the way... It kinda sucks.

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:53 am
by Koots
I must have a late build 94, because I still have a 3spd. according to shifter.

It sucks not having OD, but it'll get better mileage than my K5 or my 2500HD LOL

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:56 am
by 3X00-Modified
Do you have a 3100 engine if so you don't have the 3speed.. and a 4 speed will still show only 3 gear selections, OD D and L.

Also if it's a 2.2 you will have a 3 speed yes.

94+ v6's were all 4t60e's... The 3t40 was only used on the 2.2L's in those years. 93 was the last 3t40 mated to a v6, as well as the last manual v6 option as well.

Your sig update answered my question, so yes you have the 2.2 so the lower brace should work.

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:10 pm
by Money pit Beretta
Well with the 2.2 you can go all MRZ STB's. Or Cavy front to save money and then the MRZ for the rear. MRZ is in Canada by the way.

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:15 pm
by Koots
Yeah, those guys are closer to me than they are to most of you LOL

Anyone know what the price on their rear brace is? their website doesn't have a Beretta/Corsica front brace yet...is it secretly available? if so, how much :D

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:37 pm
by Money pit Beretta
The rear is 85USD(that is the only one that I know of that is made for the L-Body). You an use a the STB listed under Cavalier. That was like 130USD or more.
Looks like the site is down right now.

Re: Suspension Beef!

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:38 pm
by Koots
That's a fair price to pay for strengthening a unibody.