Got an 06 LT. My shocks are leaking and I eventually wanted to upgrade 2 the fe5 susp.

So a couple of Q's.

Is the front sway bar interchange? Any fabrication needed? What parts beside da bar do I need?

I'm going to buy ss/sc springs from a member here and gonna buy fe5 struts&shocks new.
What else do I need to switch the struts and shocks? Any fab?

Later on, I'll probably upgrade to the fe5 control arms too.

Thanks

 

the struts and shocks are direct swap. im not 100% sure on the sway bar but i believe its a direct swap too.

 

Direct swap all parts. No modification necessary.

 

side question, how har is it to swap the front sway bar? i got s LS so thats the FE1 looking to get the SS/SC sway

 

You will need to drop the rear powertrain cradle bolts in order to change the bar. You will need to get the car up on stands, and then support the cradle with a jack while you take out the bolts.

 

So are you saying that the spring seats that come on the LT are fine to use or are the same that the ss/sc have?

http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...P1688C188.aspx

 

ok thanks, lol now is this a pain or somwhat easy?

 

subscribed...

 

I think it's easy, but I've done around 6 clutch swaps on these cars, so only going that far is easy to me :p

 

ive got fe5 shocks, struts and springs that are still waiting to get installed.
i've just been busy, but yea like they said direct swap, for a much better ride

 

interview, you mind telling me what is that in your profile pic? looks like a cardboard bumper


Also, I have an auto tranny. Is that gonna make any difference, installation wise?

 

You don't need the FE5 spring seats. They are just different. You can put FE5 springs into FE1 seats. It's just another completely swappable part. Auto or manual, no difference.

If you swap sway bars, then you have to get the correct sway bar clamps for proper size, but that's really about it.

 

you actually can change the front sway bar without all that work. the Ion guys have been doing it a different way for quite some time. it takes some manuvering though...see this how-to
https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/***************************/viewtopic.php?t=5&start=0

you just need to make sure you get the appropriate swaybar bushing for the larger bar and that should be all you need.

personally though, its alot easier to just upgrade the swaybar endlinks and get the same/similar effect

 

i put it up to be funny
lol, i tried to change it a while ago, but everytime i try and resize the file so the smallest size in cs3 its still to big on css, so i said eff it

your tranny has nothing to do with the suspension, so you're alright

 

Not correct, on alldata and in personal experience you can go in from the passenger side fenderwell and get it in and out.

 

If that's possible, that's great. I have not tried it yet myself, but everytime I look at the car up a lift, it looks like you have to drop the cradle.

As for the end links, that doesn't make any sense. They are just links. They don't contribute to the tensile strength of the sway bar spring at all.

 

so i can use the same end links? or should i get the FE5 or bwoody ones?

 

endlinks are relatively cheap unless you buy the adjustable hardcore autocross set. It's recommended to replace them anytime they are cracked loose because they tend to squeak. I have found just regreasing them a little helps with the squeek, but again I would recommend replacing them.

 

so if you put the fe5 springs (which are the SS/SC springs right?) on an LS...what is the result? how much of a drop?

 

About 1.4 inches in the front and 1.2 in the back. And they are a little stiffer.

As far as "FE5" endlinks, I honestly don't think there is any difference between an FE1 and FE5 with regard to that particular part. It really is just a link.

 

FE5 springs and struts bolt right into the FE1 cars. ALL you need is the springs and struts, no seats, or insulators, none of that garbage

Same for the rear, all you need is the springs and shocks, nothing else. Simple bolt in.

For the front antisway bar you need the bar and the bushings, and some cars that Ive seen you actually need the clamps too, there was some sort of upgrade(rare, it was a customer request thing not a GM thing) at some point, and these FE1 cars will require the clamps.

You dont need end links

You do not have to drop the cradle. The bar comes out the right side wheel well. At most youll need to remove the rear trans mount(this will make it way easier and its actually the recommended procedure.)

The FE5 cars have aluminum alloy lower control arms too... and a different rear axle with a sway bar built in, this rear axle isnt compatible with drum brakes(and it aint cheap either) just buy an aftermarket rear sway bar if you feel you need one.

 

Really? I thought you could in fact swap the FE1 and FE5 axles and then just swap the drum brake and spindle assemblies right over. Different mounts?

Actually, what is the specific difference in the FE1 and FE5 axle? Is is just the sway bar or are there other differences?

 

there is no way they drop them that much...

and endlinks make a huge difference....if you have a stiff bar then they become the weak-link and flex, thus reducing the over-all stiffness...

 

this is what I was going to say. how could they not play a part. they are directly connected to the sway bar. larger endlinks stiffened things up quite nicely for me.

 

nice i want to get FE5 shocks and struts used for an ss/sc guy