[Faust]

I'm looking at an '85 Seville, in excellent condition. I recall driving an uncle's '85 for a week end, back in the day. I remember it as wallowing around, as did Cadillacs of old. Since I would be looking to make a fair amount of use of this car are there any aftermarket suspension upgrades? Perhaps interchange from other GM cars? Riviera turbo? I am not looking to make it a BMW, just a significant improvement.

 

[basscatt]

I'm looking at an '85 Seville, in excellent condition. I recall driving an uncle's '85 for a week end, back in the day. I remember it as wallowing around, as did Cadillacs of old. Since I would be looking to make a fair amount of use of this car are there any aftermarket suspension upgrades? Perhaps interchange from other GM cars? Riviera turbo? I am not looking to make it a BMW, just a significant improvement.

============================
you have 3 choices -
JUICE it -
BAG it -
keep it stock -

I know front and rear shocks are available for stock applications -
for the other stuff - absolutely no clue -

-----------------------

to be painfully honest -
you are talking about a 34 year old PIG that couldn't get out of its own way - when new -

I would put new shock on it and enjoy the car for what it IS -
and don't blame it for what it is NOT - and NEVER will be -

FRONT SHOCKS -
MONROE 5843 - $30 each - with free shipping -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C59MAC/?ie=UTF8&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER

REAR SHOCKS -
MONROE MA791 - $65 - for the PAIR - with free shipping - from PepBoys on ebay -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Monroe-Max...=110423600&hash=item261b2e7a56:i:163664788054

I assume the ELC - Electronic Level Control no longer works on that car -
you can spend a LOT - and I do mean a LOT - to get it working properly -
or get the MONROE AK16 manual fill kit - around $12 -
allowing you to inflate/deflate the rear shocks as needed - when loads change -

 

[smokuspollutus]

:yeah:

0 aftermarket anything for this chassis. There are tweaks that can be made like firmer shocks, or torsion/sway bars out of a Touring Suspension car with a heavier engine-they will marginally "improve" handling while destroying ride quality. The base suspension 4100 Seville is the softest riding 79-85 E-body, so Bass is 100% right here.

Utmost importance for ride/handling is making sure that the rear level control works, on this era it is usually a lot cheaper than the newer stuff to get working again, its nothing more than 2 air shocks, a height sensor, and compressor. Well worth it though, especially for a car you plan to use.

Good luck!

 

[Faust]

Too bad, I was hoping parts from a T-Series Riviera, or similar, would work. As I said, don't want a BMW, just a certain "firmness". Even all these years later, after driving an uncle's for a weekend, it seemed like it was floating compared to my Volvo. Wasn't thinking a lot of use for this car, but probably more than a "Sunday afternoon drive". I do like the looks.

 

[DB2Guy]

Tires factor into the ride also. Some ride soft and others not so.

I recall looking one day to see what Rolls Royce used. I figured if RR used it they must be good.

I bought a set of replacement rear leveling shocks for my '84 Seville. I don't think they are as good as the OEM plus you have to re-work the rear air lines and you can't reuse the OEM connections. If I had it to do over again I think I would have searched a salvage yard for a low mileage car and bought salvage shocks.

The Eldorado same E-body as the Seville had the touring suspension. I have no clue what was so different about the touring suspension.

 

[smokuspollutus]

If you can find a T-Type Riv everything will swap over, but doing that is half the battle. Now finding one that can be used as a donor that also has serviceable parts that you could put on your car with pride is the real challenge. Let me know if you do though...

All of these cars had some sort of heavy duty suspension available. It was called different things by different brands, and tuning changed by year and by engine, but they're all basically the same; quicker steering box (Seville w/ base suspension has the most floaty steering of all 79-85 E cars), slightly stiffer torsion bars and springs, bigger sway bars and 225/70 tires. It does handle somewhat better, but a little more harsh riding also. GM tried to remedy this by recommending really low tire pressure on the door jamb stickers-like 22 or 24 PSI cold on cars so equipped, which defeated the better handling part. I don't know if Buick went above and beyond on the T Type (doubt it) but I would venture a bet that the difference between it and a Cadillac with Touring Suspension isn't material.

IMO if this car doesn't have a Touring Suspension badge on the trunk and glove box door it's probably not the one for you. Just so you know, they still float plenty even with it though.

 

[Faust]

I have small hope of finding a junkyard T-Type, but maybe aftermarket. I recalled the Touring Suspension. This car doesn't have it. What it does have is 60K original miles, that is why I was interested.

 

[smokuspollutus]

Knowing what you want, if I were you I'd keep looking for one with the Touring Suspension. Plenty of low mileage original cars out there with it.

 

[Faust]

Knowing what you want, if I were you I'd keep looking for one with the Touring Suspension. Plenty of low mileage original cars out there with it.

You are probably right. I recall a lot of cars with the "Touring Suspension" call out on the trunk lid. The "mushy" ride of the one I drove all those years ago sticks with me. I suppose that is what a Cadillac was supposed to be.