[VR6JH]

Hey all,

1991 Caprice Classic. Looking to add a bit more stability at interstate speeds. This car will never be a Miata, I get that, but can be pretty wallowy hitting bumps, wind, etc while going down the interstate. Steering is super light, but I don’t think it has adjustable power steering. Front end is tight, no play in anything.

looking for ways to bring a bit more control. Maybe stiffer sway bars? Heavy duty shocks? Stabilizer? I dunno.

thoughs?

 

[1slow96]

New shocks ,add rear sway bar. What size tires are installed?

 

[VR6JH]

New shocks ,add rear sway bar. What size tires are installed?

Is there a “standard” rear sway to use?
Tires are 215/65/15. Nice tall skinny tires.

 

[Caddylack]

Hey all,

1991 Caprice Classic. Looking to add a bit more stability at interstate speeds. This car will never be a Miata, I get that, but can be pretty wallowy hitting bumps, wind, etc while going down the interstate. Steering is super light, but I don’t think it has adjustable power steering. Front end is tight, no play in anything.

looking for ways to bring a bit more control. Maybe stiffer sway bars? Heavy duty shocks? Stabilizer? I dunno.

thoughs?

As @1slow96 said, adding a rear sway bar would be big.

I would also recommend the following as basic upgrades to get you started:

1. Poly bushings & end links for the front sway bar
2. Monroe Severe Service shocks front and rear (look up 94-96 Caprice police)
3. If you want to go a bit further, you can replace your steering box with the SS/police version that has a tighter ratio

 

[Marky Dissod]

1991 Caprice Classic. Looking to add a bit more stability at interstate speeds. This car will never be a Miata, I get that, but can be pretty wallowy hitting bumps, wind, etc while going down the interstate. Steering is super light, but I don’t think it has adjustable power steering. Front end is tight, no play in anything.

Looking for ways to bring a bit more control. Maybe stiffer sway bars? Heavy duty shocks? Stabilizer? I dunno.

thoughs?

'94-'96 9C1 or WX / SS shocks and swaybars.
9C1-type springs if you prefer more ground clearance.
WX / SS springs if you prefer less ground clearance.

215/65R15? Please.
For 15" wheels I only recommend 235/70R15 or 235/75R15 (or 255/70R15 if you're feeling froggy).
Smaller tire sizes all have suckier choices.

If you prefer quicker steering, 9C1 steering box.

 

[Caddylack]

Is there a “standard” rear sway to use?
Tires are 215/65/15. Nice tall skinny tires.

I have an SS/9c1 rear sway bar that I could sell you for cheap. It's your best bet unless you want to spend $200-300 on aftermarket.

 

[VR6JH]

Went and looked, and there’s a rear sway already installed. Was this not a typical factory option for a non-9c1 car? My grandpa owned it since new so its not like it’s been in many different hands.

i stand corrected, 215/75/15. When I inherited it, I put tires on to be safe, and they were the only ones I could find in whitewall. I understand a 235 would be better, but you know….sacrifices for the originality.

I’ll do the Monroe shocks for sure, poly bushings couldn’t hurt.

 

[Marky Dissod]

... there’s a rear sway already installed. Was this not a typical factory option for a non-9c1 car?

There's A rear swaybar. Is it THE 9C1 / SS rear swaybar? - is the question.

... 215/75R15. When I inherited it, I put tires on to be safe, and they were the only ones I could find in whitewall.
I understand a 235 would be better, but you know ... sacrifices for the originality.

Hope you manage to find a tire with stiff white sidewalls.
People sacrifice aesthetics for interstate speed stability all the time.

 

[VR6JH]

There's A rear swaybar. Is it THE 9C1 / SS rear swaybar? - is the question.
Hope you manage to find a tire with stiff white sidewalls.
People sacrifice aesthetics for interstate speed stability all the time.

Settle down…..I’m not asking for a miracle, or to make this the Grand Tourer that it’s not. It’s a low mile, original garage queen that’ll never be worth anything, but I grew up in the backseat so I enjoy getting to drive it when I’m able.

That being said, anything I can do to make it MORE enjoyable to drive is a bonus.

After measuring, it’s the sways are about 1.25” up front, and just under an inch out back, which probably translates to the 30 and 25mm sways. I will do some research and see how this corresponds to 9c1 sizes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Marky Dissod]

... I’m not asking for a miracle, or to make this the Grand Tourer that it’s not. It’s a low mile, original garage queen that’ll never be worth anything, but I grew up in the backseat so I enjoy getting to drive it when I’m able.

That being said, anything I can do to make it MORE enjoyable to drive is a bonus.

So long as the tires have white on the sidewalls. Got it.

After measuring, it’s the sways are about 1.25” up front, and just under an inch out back, which probably translates to the 30 and 25mm sways. I will do some research and see how this corresponds to 9c1 sizes.

Think you'll need thicker swaybars.

As for the body bushings, polyGRAPHITE.
Mere polyurethane will eventually squeak and squeal. Polygraphite will stay quiet far longer.

 

[VR6JH]

So long as the tires have white on the sidewalls. Got it.Think you'll need thicker swaybars.

As for the body bushings, polyGRAPHITE.
Mere polyurethane will eventually squeak and squeal. Polygraphite will stay quiet far longer.

Is this gonna be like a thing now?

I think whitewalls look better. Personal preference. I don’t like the look of the fatter/larger tires. For me, for this car, form>function.

Anyways, Matt’s been helpful. Appreciate it. Ordering some rockauto parts as I type.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[toonwarrior]

Disregard I thought that was a picture of your car with ontario plates

 

[Fred Kiehl]

Be careful with tire size, you have a mechanical gear drive for the VSS. You may need to change driven gears to keep the speedo reasonably accurate. For every inch of tire diameter change you will see a 3 mph change in the speedometer reading. You will also see about the same change per tooth on the driven VSS gear.

One thing that would help your wishy-washy handling is wider rims. The wider rims will make the tires feel like they have stiffer sidewalls. Stock are about 7", and if you went to 8" or 8 1/2" it would make a noticeable difference. The wider rims will not allow as much tire roll under. A larger diameter rim with shorter sidewalls will enhance your handling as well. The ride will be a little stiffer.

I agree with the shock change either the above mentioned, or Bilsteins. DO NOT put coilovers on the front.

The springs that you have should be sufficient with a heavier duty shock. A proper shock will make more difference in handling than almost any other change.

 

[VR6JH]

Disregard I thought that was a picture of your car with ontario plates

Ha that’s fair. It probably belongs to someone on here, and here I am bashing it. I love all Caprices!!! Just like mine the best.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[toonwarrior]

I do like the white walls with the wire wheel hubcabs, my dads caprice back in like 1998.

But if I had a caprice now I'd most likely look for 9c1 wheels, love the meaty look and I guess you could throw on a chrome trim ring to make it a bit more classier 🤣

 

[1slow96]

215's = wimpy ,wimpy ,wimpy.....

 

[VR6JH]

215's = wimpy ,wimpy ,wimpy.....

215 and an open diff, and still can hardly spin the tires on wet pavement. Good ole 305.

Now if only I could find a home for this LQ9 and 6L80e that I keep tripping over…..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Caddylack]

From memory, the SS/9c1 bars are 30 mm front and 26 mm rear. You might want to measure again, because I bet yours are smaller than that.

Also: Don't assume that car will never be worth anything. The market is going to change, bigtime.

 

[VR6JH]

Nope. 30mm up front and 25mm out back. My caliper was calibration a month ago so I know it’s accurate.

RPO code attached. I dunno

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fred Kiehl]

215 and an open diff, and still can hardly spin the tires on wet pavement. Good ole 305.

Now if only I could find a home for this LQ9 and 6L80e that I keep tripping over…..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You must adjust the trans tunnel for the 6L80e. A 4L80e will fit. Hooking up an LQ9 is a piece of cake. It is much easier than a BBC.