My father contributed $200 to the project for KYB
front struts and rear shocks. I'm going to hold off ordering these units until
July or August when I can get some Eibach lowering springs and a pair of weld
in subframe connectors for the TA as well. I might just wait and get all
of this done at once, with the larger wheels and fatter tires being installed.
Currently, I am in the unenviable position of being in direct contrast to the
situation that Pontiac first experienced in 1984 with their 15th Anniversary
Trans Am. The FATA was the first third generation TA blessed with the
16x8" wheels as part of the package specific tunings of the WS6 suspension and
the FATA package group itself. Only the FATA had the 16x8" wheels in
1984 (wheels that would become the standard wheel for the 1985 WS6 package).
The problem was, while the wheels and tires had tremendous grip, the rest of
the WS6 suspension wasn't quite up to the task of working with the 16x8"
wheels. On the other hand, I have a suspension set up for 16x8" wheels
and I'm having to take corners with four inches less of rubber on the bottom
end. The 15x7" wheels are okay, but no where near what the rest of the
car can produce in the way of handling. Going into a corner at high
speed sometimes gets hairy and I've come to realize that this car just isn't
going to feel "right" until the 16x8" wheels and P245/50VR16 tires get back on
all four corners. Right now, it almost feels like I'm going into the
corners with four space saver spares mounted on the car, that's how it feels
(at least to me). Pontiac had the
problem of the 1984 WS6 suspension wouldn't keep up with the grip of the 16x8"
tires. I have the problem that the 15x7" wheels and tires won't get near
the handling and performance of what the 1986 spec WS6 suspension is set up
for. Mostly it's just seat of the pants feel but boy, is it seat
of the pants feel. Maybe I'll also hold off until October when I can
throw on larger sway bars front and rear along with the rest of the suspension
(LCAs, panhard rod, etc.). We'll see. I rather get it all put on
at one time instead of a piece today and another piece next week.
I plan on ordering the PHS package and repro window dealer sticker this week.
I'll scan the results when I get them and put them on the site.
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