Next Mod Step?

[SpeedRacerX]

OK, I want to take another step here with mods. Before I jump to any significant power adders (Cam, FI, etc...) which are probably 1+ year away for me, I want to continue to make this DD a solid and predictable blast to drive with some surprising acceleration. I certainly can't complain about its power so far - it surprises almost EVERY "challenger."

Because I drive this every day, I want to correct two foundational things before moving forward.

First, the rear. I want to replace the stock 2.92 with a 3.45. Been lurking around on this for a year+. This is a no-brainer for this car.

Second, the suspension. I can't lower the car but I want to firm things up and stop the side-side tilt/lean/body roll. The trailing arms made a noticeable difference in tightening up and shoring-up the rear so far (cut out the hop too) so I can definitely see how some suspension items can make a big difference on this "heavy/flexy/tippy" car. Again, this is no-brainer stuff. Now that the trailing arms are done, I have my sights set on starting with Sway Bars.

So the question is: Buy Sway Bars now or save a little more and put the Camaro Diff in?? Which would you do first? Any other suggestions?

Thx!

[I12XLR8]

Can the sway bars and differential even be compared (pricing-wise)? I thought that a diff would be many thousands of dollars...

[JonnyG2132]

I would go diff all day! A diff doesnt cost many thousands of dollars. You can usually find one for about 650.00-700.00 and then get it installed for about 300. So youre looking at around 1000.00 for gears. If you want acceleration, this is the way to go.

[Devilish34]

axles

[SpeedRacerX]

axles LOL. I wonder why...

[I12XLR8]

I would go diff all day! A diff doesnt cost many thousands of dollars. You can usually find one for about 650.00-700.00 and then get it installed for about 300. So youre looking at around 1000.00 for gears. If you want acceleration, this is the way to go.

I want one! Wait...I know that it's a performance mod but I have to ask the question anyways...what does it do to your mileage??? And more importantly, what does it do for acceleration (either 0-60 or 1/4 mile)?

[SpeedRacerX]

Responses have ranged from "slight improvement in city driving" to "nothing" to "1 mpg loss average" to "2 mpg loss on highway." Don't think I ever heard more than a 2 mpg highway loss.

[I12XLR8]

Responses have ranged from "slight improvement in city driving" to "nothing" to "1 mpg loss average" to "2 mpg loss on highway." Don't think I ever heard more than a 2 mpg highway loss.

Makes sense that MPG would improve in the city (once the testing phase is done) and worse on the highway. Having no experience with the differential I can only speak to the sway bars...I think that you get WAY more than $300 worth of suspension improvement from them so the return on investment is great. Unfortunately they only help you go faster in the corners! ;-)

I guess I added the acceleration question too late in my last post. What performance improvements (stats) do you expect to get out of the diff?

[JonnyG2132]

Makes sense that MPG would improve in the city (once the testing phase is done) and worse on the highway. Having no experience with the differential I can only speak to the sway bars...I think that you get WAY more than $300 worth of suspension improvement from them so the return on investment is great. Unfortunately they only help you go faster in the corners! ;-)

I guess I added the acceleration question too late in my last post. What performance improvements (stats) do you expect to get out of the diff?

supposedly at the track its about a 1-2 tenth gain depending on your mods. I did my cam, heads, and gears at around the same time so I dont know exactly what the gears took off by themselves. It def makes a noticeable difference without a doubt.

If either of you want to go a different route with your money, you could also buy my front runners if you want to take 1-2 tenths off of your quarter mile time and only spending 300.00 + shipping!!! :thumbsup:

[SpeedRacerX]

Makes sense that MPG would improve in the city (once the testing phase is done) and worse on the highway. Having no experience with the differential I can only speak to the sway bars...I think that you get WAY more than $300 worth of suspension improvement from them so the return on investment is great. Unfortunately they only help you go faster in the corners! ;-)

I guess I added the acceleration question too late in my last post. What performance improvements (stats) do you expect to get out of the diff?


supposedly at the track its about a 1-2 tenth gain depending on your mods. It def makes a noticeable difference without a doubt

Regardless of the 0-60 and 1/4 mile improvement, living with the G8 day and day out, here is something you are probably familiar with...under light to partial pedal, it feels "heavy" sometimes. Especially with warmer weather and even with my mods, the car feels to me like it takes too much pedal to get it moving sometimes.

What I like most about the diff is how so many people have said it feels like the gear change removed 1000 pounds from their car. That's the feeling I want in the car day in and out. I think that's the big benefit. The .2 decrease in 1/4 mile is iceing on the cake.

[JonnyG2132]

Regardless of the 0-60 and 1/4 mile improvement, living with the G8 day and day out, here is something you are probably familiar with...under light to partial pedal, it feels "heavy" sometimes. Especially with warmer weather and even with my mods, the car feels to me like it takes too much pedal to get it moving sometimes.

What I like most about the diff is how so many people have said it feels like the gear change removed 1000 pounds from their car. That's the feeling I want in the car day in and out. I think that's the big benefit. The .2 decrease in 1/4 mile is iceing on the cake.

:cheers: on that

[I12XLR8]

Regardless of the 0-60 and 1/4 mile improvement, living with the G8 day and day out, here is something you are probably familiar with...under light to partial pedal, it feels "heavy" sometimes. Especially with warmer weather and even with my mods, the car feels to me like it takes too much pedal to get it moving sometimes.

What I like most about the diff is how so many people have said it feels like the gear change removed 1000 pounds from their car. That's the feeling I want in the car day in and out. I think that's the big benefit. The .2 decrease in 1/4 mile is iceing on the cake.

OK. So one last question and I'll stop hijacking your thread...between now and the spring I will be doing one 'medium' mod on the car. Should I go diff or catback exhaust (assuming I'm OK with performance and sound right now I want the part that will make me smile the most)?

supposedly at the track its about a 1-2 tenth gain depending on your mods. I did my cam, heads, and gears at around the same time so I dont know exactly what the gears took off by themselves. It def makes a noticeable difference without a doubt.

If either of you want to go a different route with your money, you could also buy my front runners if you want to take 1-2 tenths off of your quarter mile time and only spending 300.00 + shipping!!! :thumbsup:

Front runners?

[JonnyG2132]

OK. So one last question and I'll stop hijacking your thread...between now and the spring I will be doing one 'medium' mod on the car. Should I go diff or catback exhaust (assuming I'm OK with performance and sound right now I want the part that will make me smile the most)?


Front runners?

Create your own post my man :) We will reply there

Front runners = skinnies.

But I am also done hijacking

[SpeedRacerX]

You never have to worry about that stuff with me. Jack away. LOLOLOL. It's all good info learning/sharing....

[BMR Sales]

It is hard to compare the two, obvisously the differential will help with acceleration and make the car feel quicker and the sway bars will help with handling and the sway bars are half the price of the differential. I am sure in the end you will end up doing both so I guess it just comes down to which one you want to do first. If you decide you want a set of sway bars give me a call.

[SpeedRacerX]

It is hard to compare the two, obvisously the differential will help with acceleration and make the car feel quicker and the sway bars will help with handling and the sway bars are half the price of the differential. I am sure in the end you will end up doing both so I guess it just comes down to which one you want to do first. If you decide you want a set of sway bars give me a call.

Correct. :thumbsup:

[TomPierce]

I've done both.

I would do swaybars first, mainly because you will be much more of an 'enthusiastic' driver once you do the differential/gears. The diff will encourage you to push it just a little bit harder.

The swaybars enhance the handling which /should/ help keep you out of trouble.

[Devilish34]

Makes sense that MPG would improve in the city (once the testing phase is done) and worse on the highway. Having no experience with the differential I can only speak to the sway bars...I think that you get WAY more than $300 worth of suspension improvement from them so the return on investment is great. Unfortunately they only help you go faster in the corners! ;-)

I guess I added the acceleration question too late in my last post. What performance improvements (stats) do you expect to get out of the diff?

2.92 to 3.45 I saw a .25-.35 and 3-4mph improvement on similar DA days

[travis gore]

I would do sway bars (but I like the curves)
you also need to keep in mind with gears you will need to tweak the TCM tune.

but for a fun dd more power Nitrous :)

[I12XLR8]

2.92 to 3.45 I saw a .25-.35 and 3-4mph improvement on similar DA days

That's a nice jump! SpeedracerX mentioned the 'lighter' feel to the car with the differential in. I know that this makes sense but was it something that you felt? Also, does the differential just bolt into place with the stock drive-shaft, axles, bushings, etc? Most posts say that it's an easy switch but I always figure it's better to talk to someone that's gone through it already.

I plan on doing the work on a hoist (whenever it happens) but likely at night and by myself so I don't want to get stuck without the right parts, tool, or end up needing to call someone if I can't do it myself.

[I12XLR8]

you also need to keep in mind with gears you will need to tweak the TCM tune.

Is it the TCM or ECM tune that needs tweeking? I'm so confused...

[AVIDMOTION]

DO THE DIFF....The sway bars are good for turns but you said you wanted to go faster, so do the diff. When I changed my gears in my mustang, it made a good bit of difference, sounded better, ripped through the gears, gained in city loss on highway mpg, ate tires, became fun to drive like another different car, 1000 lbs lighter is an accurate feel, plus the zippy quick feel. I would love to do a set of gears in my car. 3.45 or 3:55 would be about perfect. However the rear diff bushings and subframe bushings REALLY tighten up the rear. The car should come with these poly bushings when new. they that good!

[Jesse]

Shouldn't have popped into this thread.... now it's in my mind to do the same thing. :rofl:

Definitely going to do the sway/strut myself though.

[BMR Sales]

Shouldn't have popped into this thread.... now it's in my mind to do the same thing. :rofl:

Definitely going to do the sway/strut myself though.

Hey Jesse, I shot that PM back at you! :D

[I12XLR8]

Shouldn't have popped into this thread.... now it's in my mind to do the same thing. :rofl:

Definitely going to do the sway/strut myself though.

^ This always happens to me ;-(

I put in the differential (3.70 gears) since I last posted here and I love it! Still have yet to try it with my summer tires on though so I'll have a more accurate feel for what it's done once that happens.

Coil-overs are going in once I get them from BC!!!!!

[AVIDMOTION]

I also want to point out since I last posted on this post, I put the UDP and Ported throttlebody. Wousers, if you want instant thrust with just the 1st 1/2 inch of peddle, then these mods are for you. Big difference, like a new car, instant response with the TB, and the UDP makes the car wind up so fast it reminded me of my old 340 dusters. With the comaro diff you can change the internal gears too(so I was told) so if 3.45 dont do it try 3.70 etc if you do the diff also do the rear diff bushings and subframe bushings, these made a huge difference and should have come stock, not harsh or bumpy, just tight and solid, with the FE3 struts and shocks you got a nice corner burner.

[BMR Sales]

I also want to point out since I last posted on this post, I put the UDP and Ported throttlebody. Wousers, if you want instant thrust with just the 1st 1/2 inch of peddle, then these mods are for you. Big difference, like a new car, instant response with the TB, and the UDP makes the car wind up so fast it reminded me of my old 340 dusters. With the comaro diff you can change the internal gears too(so I was told) so if 3.45 dont do it try 3.70 etc if you do the diff also do the rear diff bushings and subframe bushings, these made a huge difference and should have come stock, not harsh or bumpy, just tight and solid, with the FE3 struts and shocks you got a nice corner burner.

Thanks for the quick little review on our BMR differential and cradle bushings! :D

[Joeygr8gt]

sway bars and end links WOW. installed them with h&r lowering springs and major improvement in handling. guy cut me off the thee day and jerked the car right and it felt like it moved flat sideways instead of rocking to the right. deff suggest bmr sways and end links

[wreckwriter]

Sway bars will be slightly noticeable, diff much more so. go diff.

[thebeast]

I did sway bars, trailing arms, toe rods and cradle bushings and was a huge difference. Night a day. I'll see the real result of the bmr products this Sunday at the track

[BMR Sales]

I did sway bars, trailing arms, toe rods and cradle bushings and was a huge difference. Night a day. I'll see the real result of the bmr products this Sunday at the track

Let us know how she performs at the track with our parts, any feedback would be greatly appreciated. :D

[JonnyG2132]

Are those suspension mods that you purchased recommended for drag racing? Will they take some time off?

[Rawyzf]

Wondering this as well. I think they'll help, or at not least hurt you at all.

Trailing Arms and Toe Rods are my next move.

[BMR Sales]

Are those suspension mods that you purchased recommended for drag racing? Will they take some time off?

Those suspension/chassis mods are definitely recommended for drag racing. They will not only help with the wheel hop but they will help transfer the power to the ground and help with the 60ft times and E.T.s.


Wondering this as well. I think they'll help, or at not least hurt you at all.

Trailing Arms and Toe Rods are my next move.

You have a PM. :D These parts will definitely help out not only with drag racing but also with the handling aspect by helping control rear suspension movement. Those parts are definitely highly recommended.

[Rawyzf]

Those suspension/chassis mods are definitely recommended for drag racing. They will not only help with the wheel hop but they will help transfer the power to the ground and help with the 60ft times and E.T.s.



You have a PM. :D These parts will definitely help out not only with drag racing but also with the handling aspect by helping control rear suspension movement. Those parts are definitely highly recommended.

Thanks, pm returned!

[JonnyG2132]

Those suspension/chassis mods are definitely recommended for drag racing. They will not only help with the wheel hop but they will help transfer the power to the ground and help with the 60ft times and E.T.s.



You have a PM. :D These parts will definitely help out not only with drag racing but also with the handling aspect by helping control rear suspension movement. Those parts are definitely highly recommended.

Even Sway Bars? Front or rear?

[BMR Sales]

Even Sway Bars? Front or rear?

The stiffer rear sway bar will help with launch consistency and rear suspension control also so it will help. Really the best option for drag racing is no front sway bar which will let the front suspension move and transfer weight the best but it isn't the best option for driving on the street.

[JonnyG2132]

Thank you. So this would be a good option? SB013 - Sway Bar Kit With Bushings, Rear, Adjustable, Hollow 22mm

[BMR Sales]

Yeah. The only options for rear sway bars are more street/handling oriented bars but they are stiffer then stock so they will help. There is no drag race rear sway bar at this point in time due mainly to the way the rear sway bar mounts to the cradle.

[JonnyG2132]

Yeah. The only options for rear sway bars are more street/handling oriented bars but they are stiffer then stock so they will help. There is no drag race rear sway bar at this point in time due mainly to the way the rear sway bar mounts to the cradle.

Im sorry I'm confused now.. So will that sway bar help transfer weight for the track?

[BMR Sales]

The rear sway bar will stiffen the rear suspension and allow better rear suspension control. This will help with more consistent launches and straight line performance.

[AVIDMOTION]

I think my next move will be trailing arms, then the sway bars, then the ThumpR cam, and finally then the poor house.

[SpeedRacerX]

My move was similar.

Trailing arms...check!
Sway bars...check!
Poor house...check!
Dog house...check!

Cam.....can't get me in any more trouble than I already am so why not!

[Rawyzf]

My move was similar.

Trailing arms...check!
Sway bars...check!
Poor house...check!
Dog house...check!

Cam.....can't get me in any more trouble than I already am so why not!

LOL, perfect!

[BMR Sales]

My move was similar.

Trailing arms...check!
Sway bars...check!
Poor house...check!
Dog house...check!

Cam.....can't get me in any more trouble than I already am so why not!

This is how it definitely goes if you have a significant other more times than not. :D

[AVIDMOTION]

Had a thought, I am unable to do a cam till maybe next yr or longer. About then I will have well over 100,000+(72,00 now). Currently car is tight as a drum, does not burn, drip or loose any oil. No weird noises etc. So if I was to put a cam in my car, it would have alot of miles. Most things have already been changed that is maintence etc, like plugs, trans fluid twice, coolant twice etc.
Is this too late to add a cam? I would probably change springs, and all the parts for a DOD delete cam change. I had done this twice before, once in a 340 Duster, we threw rings in, pulled the heads and did a 3 -angle valve job, shimmed the springs, minor porting and clean up. Car ran like a champ and was eventually stolen(One of 4 cars I have had stolen-and you wonder why I am paranoid?) The next was 350ci truck with over 200,000 miles. It was in a garage and the guy started it for 10 minutes like once a week for 3 yrs. It wiped the cam. So I bought it, threw in cam and valve stem seals and drove the truck for 3 yrs as a DD with no problems-new cam and 1 trillion miles, no problem. But our cars are new fangled technology etc, how do you think a G8 would fare as a DD with high miles and then a new hot cam? still worth doing or not?

[SpeedRacerX]

Great question as I'll be in the same boat.

Any opinions?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

[AVIDMOTION]

I might make that a post and try get some answers