Re: 83TQC handling (fwd)

[dlawson@ball.com (Dave Lawson)]

Welcome,
> I am interested in advice/opinions about how to make my car handle 
better.It
> has stock suspension, 80K miles, no rear antisway bar, and 7"Fuchs wheels
> with 205/60-15 tires.
> The quality I do not like is that "floaty" feeling-- body roll in turns, 
and
> diving when under hard braking. I am not looking to make this a track car,
> just a more sure footed road car while maintaining ride comfort. The 
Eibach
> springs I understand come in two varieties, progressive and linear, the
> progressive being too soft on the intial travel and too firm when wound 
up,
> the linear too firm in general or they lower the car too much. Can I 
achieve
> the ride I am looking for with just shocks?  Konis vs. Bilsteins vs? Are 
gas
> shocks the way to go?  I know there are alot of personal preference 
variables
> but I would appreciate any info that can be passed on. Thanks
> RDG51@aol.com.

I have an early build 83 TQC and can relate to your tired suspension.
You must have a late build 83 to have no rear sway bar. This also means
that you have the 4000q style suspension, hopefully the parts are cheaper.

I went through the suspension on my TQC 1.5 years ago and it is
documented in the archives. The way I look at it, these are model year
83 cars with build dates in 1982. That means that everything is 14 years
old and is pretty much worn out. I went through my suspension and replaced 
everything except front tie rod ends, because these aren't available. I do
use my car on the track and wanted a firm ride, but not abusive. I installed 

new ball joints, wheel bearings, upper strut bearings, urethane control arm
bushings, new sway bar bushings, new rear tie rod, eibach progressive
springs and bilstein struts. It did lower the car and firm it up. BTW, I run 

225/50-15 size tires on a couple sets of 8in wheels and I was getting tire
contact with the rear fenders.

In all honesty, it was ok but I know the suspension can be better. It just
doesn't feel right. When I get through with my engine swap, I will be
looking into the suspension again.
 -
Dave Lawson  dlawson@ball.com
83 tqc
86 gt