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Tired of the FWD

GreyGhost

GreyGhost

New member
Been out driving the birds around and enjoying some spirited driving. We have a couple S turns that are posted at 45 and its fun to go 80 to 95 through them.

Tried taking the GP through there at 70 and it was all that thing could do to hold the road. It has brand new suspension under it, but stock sway bars.

Really don't like not having enough ummmmffff to keep the rear end where it belongs and the dang torque on FWD really messes with the steering or lack there of.

Both cars have goodyear RS-A tires, 225/60/16 and weight wise the Birds are 200 and 400 lbs heavier.

Since moving to IL there are not motor cross tracks to race on that I am aware of. Hardly any 1/4 tracks.

Give me RWD or give me death when it comes to cornering. IMO.

Sliding the rear wheels is not an option, because flat spotting sucks. OK, done venting.
 


Car wont get lowered. Stock height is low enough for an old man like me. Birds are factory height and actually set up higher.
 
what is a "bird"?

But seriously, time for bigger sway bars.

SLP has one of the bigger sway bars for the rear. Get rid of your stamped steel trailing arms as well.
 


well givin the fact that firebirds are sport and the gp is a family car its no wonder they handle like that. all i can say is if the gp isnt lowered and all suspension modified it prolly wont handle as good. but this is coming from a guy who only has eibachs, strut braces and low pro tires i have no problem hiting corners like that.
 
DaytonaGTP said:
well givin the fact that firebirds are sport and the gp is a family car its no wonder they handle like that. all i can say is if the gp isnt lowered and all suspension modified it prolly wont handle as good. but this is coming from a guy who only has eibachs, strut braces and low pro tires i have no problem hiting corners like that.
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true story..though the gp is strong in many areas it is/never will be a "sports car" but there are many ways to improve its handling..i wish i had money to drop on some coilovers :th_winking:
 
Thunderbirds. Same 3.8 SC, but with 5spd and RWD. Winner everytime over FWD especially cornering.

No, I don't expect the GP to keep up with the 97 Bird with Bilstein shocks 1 1/4 front sway with 1 1/8 rear sway and poly bushings front to back, but the 89 bird is completely stock on suspension and it handles way better.

Not even comparible stock for stock.

This is the rant forum, I had just gotten back from making a quick 45 mile trip over a 30 minute lunch. Just making a comparision to 2 cars that have the same engine, IRS, Weight, but one is FWD and the other is RWD.

BTW its an 89 compared to a 00.
 
torque steer + weight distribution are probably the two biggest causes of poor FWD handling. The t-bird doesn't have torque steer, and probably has much better (though not perfect) weight distribution.
 


see, if they hadn't made the grand prix look like a sexy sports car, we wouldn't have these issues. they just had to make it look somewhat fun, even if it is the boring version of the concept. so we expect unbelievable things from a fwd family sedan
 


CTKGP09 said:
not a joke, girls seem to like my car, ive never understood why but ever since i got it thats how its been. even my honda loving girlfriend now likes it!
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Thus arises the question of what type/grade of girls you like to hang out with? :th_laugh-lol3:
 
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