I have a 71 Buick Skylark that is a GSX clone. I am wanting to try and make the car handle as best as possible around corners and decrease the body role as much as possible. I have already installed 70 GS factory springs and Bilstein shocks as well as a 70 GS 1" sway bar in front and rear. However, it still roles a lot. Now I recognize it's not going to corner like a SS 1LE Comaro but I know the next step would likely be a coil-over conversion for front and rear. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I know that QA1 makes a kit that might work but it's hard to find reliable information.
I went with progressive springs and 1.25" Trans Am sway bar. Resulted in decent ride and great cornering. Great diameter rims and stiffer tires also help.
As said above - 1.25" Trans Am sway bar. You want the front bar bigger that the rear. I assume your rear lower arms are boxed like factory? So much depends on budget and what you want from it. Taller ball joints up front, better shocks(yours should be good), aggressive alignment will help a lot. I would not want to ruin the ride by going too stiff or low series tires unless there is a reason to (like autocross). For a couple of grand+ you can go full tilt boogie with tubular arms front and rear, coil overs, body braces, etc,
You can also convert your front suspension to "negative roll". You'll get a very dramatic improvement to handling. Attached is an article I wrote for the Northeast newsletter.
Stock spring configuration will work excellent IF you do the research and some trial and error,...that said my suggestion The 71 GS f41 springs they are stiffer 1.25 front bar Helwig rear bar,..mounts to the chassis like the FBody's Bilstein shocks Global west Neg roll arms Metco billet rear arms Metco upper arms Quick ratio box Borgeson steering shaft Solid mounted Trans X member Engine torque limiter Biggest rubber you can pack in there 17s are the best bang for the buck 315 35s in rear and 275 40s up front Do the above and you'll Be glyed to the road
The one thing you might want to consider is, your old car will not feel like the car you remember any longer if you go to a 17" tire. It is strange how the search for handling changes the familiar feel of the OLD car. I have a couple of modified suspension cars and love the feel of my GS with the 15s on it. Just don't think I want to make her feel the way the others feel. But, I can understand why you might would want to.
