handeling and suspension upgrades

[D1FromAdelaide]

worst reviews for the piazza 86 astralian delivered model. say that the handleing was really bad. i am yet to pick up my piazza so i cant confirm this really after the small drive i took it for.
i just have a few questions i hope can be awnseres fairly quickly

are there any companies that make aftermarket shocks for piazzas?
whiteline has a front (27mm) swaybar listed, anyone tried it? it should improve handling because of the heavy front end?
how much slower are the auto's than the manuals?
what are other suspension mods to impreove handling?
do all piazzas have rear disc brakes, and (or) LSD's ?

thanks heaps people
CANT WAIT TO GET THE PIAZZA
chris

[Rodeobob]

worst reviews for the piazza 86 astralian delivered model. say that the handleing was really bad. i am yet to pick up my piazza so i cant confirm this really after the small drive i took it for.

The motoring wrap was pretty bad. The suspension was generally to soft and the rear brakes to aggressive. Didnt handle very well.
Rumor has it that they gave one to Peter Brock and him and his boys at HDT gave it back all driving sweet and braking nice. The head honcho at Holden drove it and rekond it was too stiff a ride for a "luxury sports car".
If i ever see Mr Brock again i will jump thru hoops to get in his ear about it and find out the good gosip.

i just have a few questions i hope can be awnseres fairly quickly

are there any companies that make aftermarket shocks for piazzas?

Yes, the fronts are the same as a Gemini. The rears are the same as other holdens (if my memory is right its HT-HG rear by the book but i have been told VN-VP wagon)

whiteline has a front (27mm) swaybar listed, anyone tried it? it should improve handling because of the heavy front end?

I dont think its entirely a nessacary item. You can tune the way a car drives from the rear suspension too. Better rated spings will make a lot of difference, then go the sway bar. I was told the heavier sway bar puts extra unneeded stress on the front end, i did take the advice with a grain of salt.

how much slower are the auto's than the manuals?

Not that much. Just not as good to drive in a go fast frame of mind.

what are other suspension mods to impreove handling?

Shocks, springs and swaybar in that order.

do all piazzas have rear disc brakes, and (or) LSD's ?

Yes to the rear discs. Manuals only for the LSD.

thanks heaps people
CANT WAIT TO GET THE PIAZZA
chris

Bob

[D1FromAdelaide]

ok thanks so much for that help! do the LSD's from manuals bolt straight into the auto rear? and are there any alternatives

can you just put the center in the auto housing??

CHEERS!

chris

[GeminiCoupe]

I actually have in my hot little hands a whiteline 27mm front sway bar, havent really pushed the car hard with it though [gone sideways in it but havent hammered through bends, front ends abit scary with fucked 195's] so i wont be able to tell you what its like until i do. The biggest difference would be springs i reckon - rears are single rated and way too soft all round.

Ive got Bilstein shocks in the rear of mine, ill try get a part no. for you.

Nick-

[D1FromAdelaide]

some info yor you'll

KONI SHOX

Front 80-2275

Rear 80-2233SP1

Front Sport 82-1886Sport


MONROE SHOX

Front -GT Gas w/- Reflex Shock Absorber 15-3055+ Standard, Lowered, Raised
Rear -GT Gas w/- Reflex Shock Absorber 15-3138+ Standard, Lowered, Raised
-Sensatrac Shock Absorber 17-3138+

Whiteline SWAYBAR

Front BHF28 27mm

they share all 4 shocks with gemini wagons!
Chris

[D1FromAdelaide]

THANKS GemiCoupe. how does she slide? heard there fair good even as good as s13s?

Where did you get your springs from?
Kingsprings make a Pro-sport series coil with no specified cars just sizes so if i could get internal diameter, and decompressed and compressed height i could figure it out...

CHRIS!

[Rodeobob]

THANKS GemiCoupe. how does she slide? heard there fair good even as good as s13s?

Where did you get your springs from?
Kingsprings make a Pro-sport series coil with no specified cars just sizes so if i could get internal diameter, and decompressed and compressed height i could figure it out...

CHRIS!

They should have some sort of listing they can drag up.

If you give them the measurements etc they can make you up any spring you like.

Im swapping stds out of my car for some good gear i found in another one i bought. I will see what i can find out while they are out if you want. Im not sure when i will actually get to doing the job, soon i hope.


Bob.

P.S. go to bed you kents.

[GeminiCoupe]

I dont have springs yet but im working on it

Me and bob are on the same wavelength. It takes us 4months to do the simplest thing that should take 4weeks MAX.

Nick-

[Tommy]

I know Soren on Isuzone has SPAX adjustable shocks on his JR. Thes can be had through IPTOC in england:

http://www.iptoc.com/3.html


Tommy

[Bugle]

New polyurethane suspension & steering rack bushes would help handling too. Be handling worse than original with 20 years of wear on them.

[Impulsive Yank]

ADDCO also makes swaybars for the JR: 1" front, 3/4" & 7/8" rears.

[speedracerles]

Im now in the market for some new shocks and springs also, where should I look first and what might the best brand be for the Jr impulse. non lotus set up thoe....

[wedgenut]

Nothing wrong with Monroe but get the gas ones, Bilstein are good as are gabriel

[speedracerles]

Now will this help with the lowering part or do I need something else for that as well? I want to lower the car a bit maybe like 2 inc. in the front and 1 1/2 in the rear...Let me know peace

[wedgenut]

To lower it you will need shorter springs and shorter stroke shocks. Don't be tempted to cut the springs. Not cool. Go see a suspension outfit for what you need, they can match the springs and shocks. Changing rear set up is easy with basic tools but unless you got a death wish get a pro to change the fronts for you. Shocks are not the issue, Its the springs that are the devil.