Suspension Modifications

Eibach Springs I used Eibach's '94-'96 Impala Pro Kit to lower the center of gravity and to help reduce body roll. This kit comes with all four springs. These springs are shorter and have a higher spring rate, giving a slightly stiffer ride and lowering the car about 2-1/2 inches lower than it came from the factory.

Bilstien Shocks Bilstien shock absorbers were installed on all four corners to dampen the effects of the Eibach springs. The shock part #s used were built to GM engineer's specifications for the '91-'96 9C1 SEO (Police) platform.

Front Anti-Swaybar The front Bar is a factory GM part, but it was not designed to be used on the B-Bodies. It is from the 2nd generation '70-'81 F-Bodies (Camaro/Firebird) with the Z28 or WS6 suspensions. The F-Body bar measures 32mm O.D. and is an upgrade for both the Impala SS (30mm) and the Caprice (mine was 28mm). When installing the F-Bar you must change the bushings at the same time to the larger 32mm ones. I used the 4th generation F-bodies high durometer rubber bushings. These bushings are 32mm to match the F-Body bar, with the added benefit of kevlar liners between the rubber and the bar to reduce friction and wear. The driving links that attach the ends of the bar to the lower control arms were also upgraded to the '95+ (1LE) F-Body links. These links come assembled with solid urethane bushings.

Rear Anti-Swaybar The rear anti-swaybar is a part that gives one of the greatest improvements in handling and it was the first modification I did, since mine came from the factory without one. The Impala SS bar soon found its way under the rear of my car, but only for a short time. Great bar! I would recommend it to anyone that wants to reduce body roll on their everyday cruiser, but I wanted more. That's where Herb Adams comes in with a 1-1/2 inch rear bar that's 441.4% stiffer than the OEM Impala 28mm (1.023") rear bar. When I order the H/A rear anti-swaybar it could be ordered thru Summit using a Moroso part #. Now it can only be ordered direct from Herb Adams. NOTE: when using this bar it is nessasary to upgrade the front bar also or an unstable handling condition will occur.

Steering Stops GM's TSB 92-255-3B lists extended steering stops to reduce tire contact with the front anti-swaybar. Even on a stock Impala, tire rub can occur. Installation of wider tires and/or a larger diameter anti-swaybar on the front will almost definitely cause tire rub. Installation requires removal of both front brake rotors to gain access to the mounting bolts.

Body Bushings This is one of the latest modifications I've done, yet it would have been the first if I had realized sooner what a great difference it would have made. The B-Bodies with the exception of the 9C1 was shorted six lower body bushings at the forward mounting points. Without these lower bushings the body is allowed to lift off the frame about an inch before a large washer stops it from lifting any further. So regardless of how tight the suspension may be there's still some body roll due to these bushings being left out. The bushings are easily installed, they can be done in your driveway without even lifting the car. Simply remove one bolt at a time from the bottom using a 15mm socket, then discard the large washer, the bushing comes with a new one made to it. Then slip the bushing over the bolt and reinstall the bolt tightening it to about 35 flbs.