deereboy4320

Should I buy what the tire place quoted me ( brand is gr2 ) or should I find some better shocks for a little more money. What brand should I buy if it is better to go that route.

alleycat58

How much are they quoting you? Do you just want OEM replacement or are you looking for better performance.

IMO the LE5 (LNF) OEM shocks and struts with FE5 springs from CrateEngineDepot are the best performance deal for the money.

deereboy4320

They quoted me just under 700. I have no clue but if it is a close value for performance I will go that route

1 SLOW SS

iTrader: (8)

I have some sitting in my basement with springs all ready to go

alleycat58

Ho Lee Crap.

You can have have the entire FE5 setup for less than that and get much better quality.

Cobalt FE5 Struts and Shock Pkg FE5-S - Crate Engine Depot - Struts and Shocks

Cobalt FE5 Front Spring 2008 - 2010 25833647 - Crate Engine Depot - Front Springs

Cobalt FE5 Rear Spring 2008 - 2010 25821162 - Crate Engine Depot - Rear Springs

deereboy4320

is FE5 a good brand i have never heard of them. i want something smooth but also agressive when needed

deereboy4320

he 700 was for shocks, install and an alignment but it is outrageous so i think i am just going to do it myself. not that hard.

goeckeritz123

iTrader: (10)

Get the Turbo struts and shocks

alleycat58

FE5 isn't a brand, it's a chassis designation. You have the FE1, then there's the FE3, then the first gen FE5, and the second gen FE5.

The shocks I'm showing you are OEM GM shocks, but they're made for the SS Turbo. They're worlds better than the FE1 shocks that you blew.

You can install yourself, but you'll need a spring compressor to get the job done.

deereboy4320

the ss shocks are the same as all the other shocks correct. so they will work no matter what. do you know of anyone that is using these or are you personally using these?

alleycat58

They are NOT the same as the FE1 (ls/lt) and FE3 (2.4/sport) shocks, but they can be installed on ALL model Cobalts.

I am using them personally. They were an upgrade even over my SS/SC suspension.

northvibe

iTrader: (1)

+1 on getting the stock Fe5 aka stock 2008-2010 cobalt ss/tc shocks/struts/springs. Just get them from CED.

deereboy4320

will do they seem to be everyones favorite. thanks for all the info

quikdcride

can you put the ss springs off your old struts on those?

and get the same lowering/performance effect?

alleycat58

No, the SS/SC springs aren't as good as the SS/TC springs. I bought the full FE5 second generation package because the springs are an upgrade over the SS/SC springs. So, you really should buy the springs too. Actually the BEST setup involves Pedders springs, but they were too expensive for my budget at the time.

quikdcride

yea right now my rear shocks dont even have springs on them so is there even a point in getting springs for the rear?

also if i were to use the springs from my current suspension on the new set up would i have to compress them? or could i just put them on those struts and install without having to use the compressor tool at all

alleycat58

Uh. I didn't think that was possible without ROYALLY ******* up the car (driving without springs). You should have springs on the car no matter what.

You do not need a spring compressor to do only the rears.

quikdcride

oh ok hahah yea your right so as far as suspension goes you think i should go with those fe5 springs from crate engine depot and just get new springs for the front?
or what about tire rack.com
billstein or any of those companies dont make struts and shocks for our car?
can anyone tell me basically exactly what i need to replace my front struts and my rear shocks completely and where i can get it? at the best price as well?

alleycat58

IMO the FE5 is the best kit out there for the money. There aren't many aftermarket shock/strut options.

I posted all the links to replace the entire suspension earlier in the thread from CED. The only other thing you'll need is a spring compressor for the fronts. I got mine from Harbor Freight for like $10.

quikdcride

cool thanks your very helpful
but what springs should i get if any at all ?

bbrewbaker

iTrader: (4)

I had that spring compressor also for $10. It's not any good. the threads managed to strip causing it not to turn anymore and get jammed. This was while doing the 2nd spring.
It was to the point where it did not move either way.
I had to go take another car and go to Auto Zone and rent one to compress the spring even more to get the POS off.
The next day i took it back to the store and got my $10 back.

You can see in the pic where the black arrow is where the threads are gone.

Just save the hassle and rent the Auto Zone one.
They ask for a $50 Deposit. But when you return the tool you get your $50 back.
So it's really free.

quikdcride

cool thanks yea i figured you could probably just rent it somewhere cause i plan on just doing all the work in my driveway anyway
but still
anyone have an idea on the springs?
i want it as lowered as the ss is stock but i dont want to pay more than 200 for them

bbrewbaker

iTrader: (4)

Mine is the same height as a SS in front and a little lower in the rear.
I have the ProKit springs. Paid $220 from Tirerack.
But i know Vendors on here are cheeper.

Here is a pic of the drop on my LT.

CordiaDOHC

iTrader: (2)

Find SS FE LNF springs used or theres a deal going on with eibach pro kits. They will lower you about .5-.7 of an inch more than the LNF SS FE5 springs. So you will sit about a half inch lower than a stock SS would and they are on sale under the vendor section right now for 189 I think. (think modern is the vendor... not sure)

But honestly pedders are the best route but pricier. However... I have been happy with my eibach pro's. I got mine for a good price which is why I chose them over pedders (225 dollars cheaper is what I paid). theres also a used set of those currently for sale in the classified section on here. A lot of people run sportlines but I personally dont care for them and they will lower you a good amount more than a stock SS. Also the spring rates arent as good.

So from my personal experiance I would do it in this order.

Pedders
Pro kit
stock LNF springs (2008-2010 Cobalt SS springs)

Pro kit on my FE3 cobalt Sport (not the greatest pic)

quikdcride

why would i get the stock lnf springs if i were going to get the pedders?

the pro-kit is just the struts and shocks alone and then you have to get springs correct?