rpmhardingjr325
12-06-2010, 12:23 AM
I have 2 88 Pontiac 6000 SE wagons. Both have the Addco sway bars, heavier progressive rate springs, KYB struts in the front and air shocks in the back (NOS ACDelco). Both cars also have 225/45-17 tires on Bonneville 17x7.5 wheels (1/4" spacers and longer wheel studs on the wheel bearings). The difference is amazing; certainly not race car like but a huge difference. One of these cars I've had for 12 years and has 400,000+ miles on it, 5 speed (my daily driver). The other one I bought 2 1/2 years ago, low mileage (63,000 miles) SE w/automatic. Driving it home was a handful with the way it was handling and steering. The struts, shocks & steering were shot due to age and not mileage. We replaced all suspension and steering components and the difference was very much worth the work and expense.
I found most of the parts I needed by going to the GM part sites for research, using the GM A body parts book, and a couple of websites; to me the best being RockAuto.com
One thing I'm having an issue with is trying to get the ERC air compressor replaced or rebuilt. This complressor is no longer available. l want to keep the automatic feature of the ERC. I do not want a Firestone, AirRide etc kit that are controllled from the dash panel. The compressor has a GM number tag but no manufacturer name. I found a place locally that may be able to help if I had a manufacturer name for the compressor. Anybody out there have any experience with this?
My feeling about the handling of any car is to do sway bars (best bang for the buck), quality shocks/struts and if the car has any age to it at all to replace the springs with progressive rate springs. I prefer a stiffer ride so I prefer the heaviest rate springs I can find. Eibach used to sell lowering springs, heavier pregressive spring rate; but they're no longer available for the A bodies...
As a side story, I had a 90 TGP that my son ended up totaling. The motor & trans is now in the low mileage 6000 SE wagon (sacrilege!!!). I'm still looking for a good example to buy if I can find one to replace mine.
I found most of the parts I needed by going to the GM part sites for research, using the GM A body parts book, and a couple of websites; to me the best being RockAuto.com
One thing I'm having an issue with is trying to get the ERC air compressor replaced or rebuilt. This complressor is no longer available. l want to keep the automatic feature of the ERC. I do not want a Firestone, AirRide etc kit that are controllled from the dash panel. The compressor has a GM number tag but no manufacturer name. I found a place locally that may be able to help if I had a manufacturer name for the compressor. Anybody out there have any experience with this?
My feeling about the handling of any car is to do sway bars (best bang for the buck), quality shocks/struts and if the car has any age to it at all to replace the springs with progressive rate springs. I prefer a stiffer ride so I prefer the heaviest rate springs I can find. Eibach used to sell lowering springs, heavier pregressive spring rate; but they're no longer available for the A bodies...
As a side story, I had a 90 TGP that my son ended up totaling. The motor & trans is now in the low mileage 6000 SE wagon (sacrilege!!!). I'm still looking for a good example to buy if I can find one to replace mine.