Spacepig

I'm likely facing some front end work soon on my stock/original '98LS w/130k mi. on it. I'm still getting to know the car but like the stock look/ride for now. Plus I don't have the budget to do wheels/tires or big suspension mods now even if I wanted to. I'd like to reduce the body roll/ improve cornering if I could do so without compromising the ride too much. Anybody have any recommendations for alternatives to stock parts like shocks, bushings etc. that I should consider in order to tighten up the ride while still being compatible with my otherwise stock suspension? I like that big car ride, but when I'm in the mood to float I go with my '59 Caddy, and when I want to break the sound barrier on exit ramps I've got the Saab Aero; I'm looking for a middle ground.

Dave
'98 LS
'59 Cadillac Fleetwood 60S
'02 Saab Aero Wagon

Li Ls4

iTrader: (12)

just get a front strut bar to help taking thos corners. wont help as much as suspention but iv heard it gives a noticeable difference.

trukn1

1. Front strut tower brace( if you can find them)
2. Polyurethane bushings

Have to remember that the LS is a big car and really was not meant to be thrown into corners, is def. not a speed machine of any means, and will sway due to the weight of the car. There are ways to improve upon some of these points but that will involve suspension work, and since you stated that you liked and wanted to keep the stock ride, for now, these things I have listed will help out a little, but until you change the stock setup to something aftermarket just sit back and cruise on down the highway.

Li Ls4

iTrader: (12)

im pritty sure that a supra tt strut mount fits our cars. if this is tru then it should make finding a strut mount a lot easier

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

confirmed that the 98-00 LS400 will accept a 93-01 Toyota Supra Turbo bar without any modifications to either bar or engine cover, and clears everything just fine.

STB, poly sway bar bushings, and if you wanna spend up, Bilstein shocks+H&R springs. will handle MUCH MUCH better.

cation

Hey PureDrifter,

What's the ride quality compared to stock with Bilsteins and HR springs?

Bradster

Why not KYB with HR?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

KYB is more of a factory ride, rather soft, especially if you want something a little stiff.

Spacepig

Thanks, all. Learned today that my problem is worn radius rods, which caused a tire to go out of round. But I'm going to look into getting a pair of Bilsteins. I've had good luck with those in the past on an old air suspension MBZ.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

wouldn't pick up just a pair, best off doing all 4 otherwise the car's going to be imbalanced.

Bradster

Bilstein does not make shocks/struts for the 1st generation LS400 and that limits my choices (90 LS400)

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

ahh, well there is Tokico after all, slightly stiffer than KYB, not nearly as good as the Bilsteins.

paulo57509

I don't have anything to contribute other than:

1959 Cadillac

nthach

I'm running KYB GR-2s and Daizen front bushings. It does make some of a difference. I also have 215/55R16 Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S - they are "low" profile compared to the stock 205/65R15, but I have less sidewall flex, meaning less "wallow".

Spacepig

Now I'm back in action w/ new front struts and radius rods, and the out of round tire moved to the rear for now, and the car drives much better, but I think PD is right; I should replace the rear shocks as well (and probably the tire too).

Paulo-glad you appreciate the beast '59. I've always found it interesting to compare the LS to the Caddy- when new they were targeted at the same demographic-40 years apart. About the only thing they have in common is that they both have 4 cigarette lighters/outlets.