Suspension feels like crap - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

usp55 · 05-26-2008, 10:36 PM

My car always rides ruff but over the past few days I have really been noticing it and started when I drop a co-worker home from work. He’s a large fellow, 300+; I bottomed out really good one time taking him to his house in west Philly. Ever since then the car seem to hit bumps like it doesn’t even have shocks. Rear even looks like its sagging a little.

-So really im looking to get new shocks, im not looking to lower the car so no need to replace the springs right?
-What are the best shocks I can get for my daily driver? I want to rude smooth as possible
-Is it ok to replace the rear ones without replacing the fronts just yet - money is always tight. Looking to get some SFC's and a STB also

Thanks for any help

usp55 · 05-27-2008, 12:55 AM

ok lots of reading and i think i either gona go with blistien's, monroe's, or KYB GR-2's in the rear for now - def get the SFC's welded in and maybe a STB for looks (maybe it will do something)

Blistiens seem like the best. Although the other two would prob be better than my possibly dead shocks for alot less, $70each and $60each cheaper repectively.

any thoughts?

JSPERFORMANCE · 05-27-2008, 07:47 AM

GR2s work well with a stock spring rate and are very affordable. The sfcs are a great idea no matter what. I would replace all 4 shocks at the same time though.

HardcoreZ28 · 05-27-2008, 10:33 AM

Bilstein or the GR-2 KYB's will be great upgrades. I also like Koni's. As Josh stated I would do all 4 at the same time. As for springs...what kind of mileage are on yours? If you're not looking to lower the car you can probably keep your stockers. SFC's and a strut tower brace will be nice additions to the car as well. They will make your ride seem a little more "harsh" and not as smooth however, but you're actually making the car better. Everything will be a lot stiffer as you are eliminating the flex from the unibody which will translate into you feeling it more in the cabin but the handling improvement is worth it. If you decide you're interested in any Spohn parts let me know as I sell them for 10% off, or I believe Josh is a dealer for UMI as well.

usp55 · 05-27-2008, 11:42 AM

thanks for the info guys - looks like im gona get the GR-2's all around, but something tells me i should just shell out some coin for the Bilstein's as everyone loves them in all the posts im reading on the various boards.

the springs have 140k on them. Time to replace? If so with what?

HardcoreZ28 · 05-27-2008, 12:51 PM

140k is a lot of mileage. If you're looking for a smooth ride I'd suggest new stock springs, but Josh may be able to recommend an aftermarket set that will fit the bill. I'm partial to Eibach for performance applications but they are stiffer and most lower the car as well.

usp55 · 05-28-2008, 12:25 AM

the only springs i can find are ones to lower the car - where can i get stock height springs at?

HardcoreZ28 · 05-28-2008, 07:35 AM

Try your local dealer or GMPartsDirect.com

Tru2Chevy · 05-28-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usp55

the only springs i can find are ones to lower the car - where can i get stock height springs at?

www.rockauto.com

- Justin

usp55 · 05-28-2008, 11:25 AM

Thanks for the site Justin - ill order them tonight

The GR-2's fronts are 130/each - rear are 34/each = 328
Bilsteins fronts are 100/each - rears are 89/each = 378
*prices from autozone and advanced auto

prob just gona go with the bilstein's and call it a day

BonzoHansen · 05-28-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usp55

Thanks for the site Justin - ill order them tonight

The GR-2's fronts are 130/each - rear are 34/each = 328
Bilsteins fronts are 100/each - rears are 89/each = 378
*prices from autozone and advanced auto

prob just gona go with the bilstein's and call it a day

rockauto - enter "turbodiesel" into the coupon code box for 5% off.

nj85z28 · 05-28-2008, 07:04 PM

i think summit has a much better deal for the bilsteins-http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BSN%2DF4BE52407M1 &N=700+4294924760+4294908216+4294908198+4294925130 +4294919396+400558+115&autoview=sku

usp55 · 05-29-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nj85z28

i think summit has a much better deal for the bilsteins-http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BSN%2DF4BE52407M1 &N=700+4294924760+4294908216+4294908198+4294925130 +4294919396+400558+115&autoview=sku

thankyou, save me $10 a shock in the rear - but i dont see the fronts on there anywhere

and thanks bonzo for the code - gona pick up the Moog stock springs. Ill send u a PM about those isolators u have from that 99 your parting out - they should be the same on all 4th gens right? mine looked like crap last time i was back there.

usp55 · 05-31-2008, 12:02 PM

ok bilstiens are out because the fronts are backordered - id like to have the same on all four

so now its either KYB GR-2'sor KYB AGX's

what would be better?

CaysE · 06-15-2008, 12:43 PM

I'm not a fan of AGX, though a lot of people are. The adjustment settings just don't seem to work all that well after maybe a year of driving. The GR-2 dampers would match well with stock springs.

Koni and Bilstein are about on par with each other, and Koni dampers are designed to work with stock springs. I would look into them before KYB if you have the money, personally.