Sarc 99???

[DaBears1285]

I know the SARC stoped in 98 but I was just woundering what I would need to convert a 99 to the system and if it were "easy" and or practical to do the swap.

thanx

 

[SHOGrabber]

First of all just my opinion. I think you would be crazy for wanting to do this for a number of reasons. But heh, it would be boring if we was all the same.

I can think of a few obvious things you would need and do, but the one thing I don't know would have to do with the computer controlling it. It may not still be there or able to.

The one person that I can think of that may know the best would be SHOZ123. I will send him this link to see if he may want to respond.

You may find some answers here http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/96shohome.html

 

[shoguy98]

Really early production '99 had SARC.

 

[DaBears1285]

how early preduction, and is there a way to tell by the vin or rpo code?

 

[loosenut]

I would like to do that too. I know you need the sarc struts, sensors, sensor mounts, sarc computer and not sure what else. My 96 drove so much better than the 99 does, but I could be romatizing (spelling?) that through memories or something. I just hate how this one is on firm all the time.

 

[SHOZ123]

I guess the first thing to ask is why do you want the SARC struts?

The SARC struts are very good hard mode struts. The problem is under normal conditions they are in soft mode. When they wear the soft mode gets even softer and you end up with mush.

Personally I like the SARC for the hard ride and they probably are the only strut (when in hard mode) that can adequately handle the lowering springs.

I bought new SARC struts and have the sensors eliminated. This way the VAPS is still active, as it is on a '99, but the struts are hard all the time.

 

[avocadoman1]

how early preduction, and is there a way to tell by the vin or rpo code?

my '99 was built 5/99. no SARC.
i recently looked at a '98 built 4/98 that had SARC.
BTW, my take on SARC...
it's a nice option, but something else to go wrong.
and based on this site, the true '96-98 SHO drivers w/ SARC want it OFF most the time anyway.

 

[SHOZ123]

Never heard of anything to go outright wrong.

With the SARC struts they will seem to be "worn" out faster. You can get some more mileage out of SARC struts by putting them in full hard mode as the wear out. Not as hard as new struts in hard mode but much better than the worn struts in soft mode if you know what I mean.

Another thing that bothered me was the rattle the SARC sensors make.

 

[DaBears1285]

the only reason I asked about SARC is everyone always talks about how well there cars handle and I just dont feel mine does, maybe by struts are just worn out cause my car loves to "push" when I corner with any kind of speed

 

[Mr. SHO]

it's a nice option, but something else to go wrong.
and based on this site, the true '96-98 SHO drivers w/ SARC want it OFF most the time anyway.

I've never heard of anything going wrong w/ the SARC system. EVER.
And I disagree with your assessment of the consensus. Whenever I witness discussions, the majority of owners are in favor of the SARC struts in OE configuration.

 

[SHOGrabber]

the only reason I asked about SARC is everyone always talks about how well there cars handle and I just dont feel mine does, maybe by struts are just worn out cause my car loves to "push" when I corner with any kind of speed

If your struts are worn. I'm sure thats not going to help what your feeling.

Now think of this. The cost of buying everything you need to add the SARC's. And even if you find a doner for everythig. I would think that you would still want to buy new sarc struts. Not use the old used ones that you just bought. Sure you could put them on and find out that there OK for a 1/2 year then change them.(more work) Or put them on and find out right away they are worn and then change them right away. And of course go through all the work to put it all together.

Or just buy new 99 struts and be done.

I have a 99, so I know how well they handle the way they are.

You can always try to find someone on here to let you drive theres with the sarcs stiff and see what you think. But it wouldn't be a fair test unless yours has new struts on it to know what new ones are like.

And remember they are nose heavy front wheel drive cars that will push.

 

[Porkchop]

Best replacements for the SHO is KYB GR-2

 

[Mr. SHO]

my car loves to "push" when I corner with any kind of speed

That is the factory sway bar setup for you (22mm front bar, 19mm rear bar). It is geared for understeer so that soccer moms don't spin the car when they fumble their lipstick and have to swerve the car to get it back on the road. Upgrade the rear sway bar to neutralize the understeer. Anything bigger than 23mm in the back, though, and you'll be entering the realm of oversteer. In otherwords, if you go with something like a 26mm rear bar, you should also go with a bigger front sway bar, like 24mm, so your car doesn't get tail-happy.

 

[avocadoman1]

And I disagree with your assessment of the consensus. Whenever I witness discussions, the majority of owners are in favor of the SARC struts in OE configuration.

all i ever read about regarding SARC is the "****" switch that so many install.

sarc **** switch

how to

there must be good reason why the **** switch is installed.
and, once installed, i gotta believe that it gets switched on /off regularly.
so, one plays with it enough, switching it in a way that it's not designed, it's something else to go wrong.
my assumption may be completely incorrect. i'm just basing it on what i read on this site.

 

[Mr. SHO]

all i ever read about regarding SARC is the "****" switch that so many install.

sarc **** switch

how to

there must be good reason why the **** switch is installed.
and, once installed, i gotta believe that it gets switched on /off regularly.
so, one plays with it enough, switching it in a way that it's not designed, it's something else to go wrong.
my assumption may be completely incorrect. i'm just basing it on what i read on this site.

Very few V8SHO owners ever visit this site. That is beginning to change as of late, but probably 80% or more of the V8SHO mail list never visit SHOForum for one reason or another.

I installed the SARC switch shortly after I bought my SHO for the same reason most do--because it was a free mod. After installing it, I only used it because I wanted to cut the VAPS down a bit and free up some HP--the SARC function was merely a side effect (that I didn't care for.) Since I got the VAK two years ago, I haven't used the SARC switch at all because the VAK cuts the VAPS under WOT anyway.

FWIW, the SARC switch in full hard mode is much firmer than the non-SARC 99 struts, or any other strut available for the Gen 3 for that matter.

 

[DaBears1285]

sorry but what is VAPS?

 

[Mr. SHO]

sorry but what is VAPS?

Variable Assist Power Steering. It reduces the amount of PS assist at higher vehicle speeds.

By using the more common method of putting the SARC struts in full hard mode (essentially the same as pulling the SARC/VAPS fuse in the underhood box) you are also cutting the VAPS to it's minimum level of assist, which is roughly 60% of the amount of assist near idle. Less assist=less load on the PS pump=less parasitic HP loss at the crankshaft.

The way to put the SARC struts in full hard mode WITHOUT affecting VAPS requires that you install a switch on the grey wire at the SARC control module in the trunk.

 

[DaBears1285]

o ok, thank you

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Don't forget that should you decide to install SARC in the '99 you'll need to get the harness from a '96-'98 that connects all 4 struts (and the sensors) to the SARC module.

Just that alone would make it too much of a PITA for my taste.

 

[DaBears1285]

yea, I'm not gonna even atemp the swap, i'l just work with what I have