Hey guys,

Are there any cheap alternatives to replacing our stock struts that will not be of lesser quality than stock ones? I have the stock FE3's on Sportlines and I think they're finally starting to go. I'd like to replace them, but would not like to spend a fortune on Koni's.. Anything? I know that there were a few in development, but I don't know if they ever surfaced.. Anything?

Thanks!

 

monroe

 

well, as far as I know, the KYB struts are just stock replacements, so you'll blow them just as fast as you did your stockers since you're on sportlines. Go FE5 struts, they're much better.

 

How much are you looking at for the above struts on all four? I'd just install them myself likely to save money since I did my springs.. Do the FE5's hold up better to the lowering? Handle better over the FE3's?

 

They're much better than the FE3s. I had the same lowering springs on my old LT as I do now on my SS, and there is a night and day difference. I've had my lowering springs on all winter, which includes accidently hitting a huge bump in the road at highway speeds, and nothing is blown. They are way stronger than the FE3s. IDK about price though...

 

I know you can get them at CED or at the dealer.. And they'd likely be a similar price to cheap replacements..

Any idea on what installing struts would cost? I mean, I did mine, but we did it all ghetto with manual compressors and **** and it took all damn day..

 

You can get LNF FE5 struts and shocks for $300 shipped roughly from GMPartsOnline.net or a little more from GMPartsDirect.com or almost $375 from CED. You can get KYB GR-2's which are from what I hear, very close to stock FE3....maybe just a tad better. You can get them from AJUSA.com for about $200 shipped. I'm trying to find out more about the Monroe's as I haven't heard how much or how good they are.

Hope that helps. Stick to installing them yourself....most shops will want quite a bit...also consider getting some steering rack spacers to install when you do your struts....I have OTTP spacers to install this summer when I buy LNF FE5 struts/shocks.

Mike

 

kyb's will replace Fe5. Will be slightly stiffer then FE3.
KYB (excel G's/ GR2) will handle max .5in drop , any mas and you will blow them sooner

 

Might as well go with Koni's so they'll last & not blow. There really isn't any point in going with something similar to the factory ones. They'll just crap out over time since you're lowered.

 

I've asked already if anyone who's lowered on SS/TC struts/shocks whether they've had problems and nobody so far has any complaints...perhaps they haven't had enough miles on them, but I think that's going to be my best bet. My car has 36k miles on it and it's been on Sportlines for about 15k so far...no problems with my FE1's yet. Where I live and commute there aren't too many bad roads or spots so I think that helps a bit.

Side note....I'm a little pissed because I hit a chunk of ice last week and cracked my front bumper cover...the good news is someday I'll be able to upgrade to either the LT or SS/NA front cover....once I take care of my suspension next summer and all our bills. This of course is due to being lowered...I couldn't avoid it and if I weren't lowered I would have had it just hit the bottom of the car.

 

What are these steering spacer things?

 

Get the t/c struts and some pedders, no need to spend the money on Koni's. The stock stuff is far better.

 

Are those spacer things hard to install yourself?

 

no, they're super easy haha. Two bolts. There are a couple how to's on here.

 

/end thread

 

Are the specs for the drop of the Pedders on SS models? How low are they on an LS when compared to Sportlines? Obviously, I know they aren't as low and they're stiffer/better handling, but I'm interested in looks as well as performance....are they similar to the Pro Kits drop? Too bad they're so expensive....I'd own them if they we $50-100 cheaper.

 

I bought my Sportlines used for like 120 shipped..

 

So i'm in the same boat with you, I need to replace my stock ls struts and want to put better struts and lower it with the best springs , I currently have zenn springs and they suck ass. Will the t/c struts fit my ls?

 

Yes, all Cobalt struts and shocks are interchangeable.

 

ok just asking im a big noob to suspension, i just bought brand new sportlines and im considering on buying the package deal on ss/tc struts front and back from CED, is there anything else i would need ? like camber kits? bellows? etc.

 

Nothing you need. One thing I recommend though, it will suggest to cut your bump stops in the instructions for the Sportlines...don't do it. I did and afterward I regret doing it. I would say don't cut them and see what you think...can always go back and cut them later.

The only thing I can think of to install at the same time is the steering rack spacers if you don't want bump steer. I have to install those when I buy my SS/TC struts and shocks...they can be had from OTTP....that's where I got mine. I think TTR sells them now as well.

 

thanks for the heads up on the bump stops, im getting the new set up of SS/TC set up from CED do u suggest i also replace the bellows and the other stuff?

 

You shouldn't have to. I'll let someone else chime in on that one because I'm not 100% sure...I won't when I do it though. I'm going to replace just the struts and shocks...along with a new set of bump stops...

 

How hard is it to install this OTTP steering spacer thing..? I think I'm gonna get one when I get my FE5 struts..

 

so i work at napa we only list the right side for monroe's has anyone gotten the monroes before