I'm not going to go into much about my car because you can see my signature...

Basics are Sportlines on stock FE1 struts/shocks...I plan on upgrading to the FE5 SS/TC shocks/struts in the spring.

My question is this...for those of you with an SS/TC that's lowered or any other model that's been upgraded to the FE5 TC suspension, how long have your struts and shocks lasted? Has anyone had any problems with them going bad from being lowered?

I know there are no guarantees, but I'm hoping to spend the $300 for them and not need to replace them for at least a few years...my stock struts and shocks have been good for over a year and a half so far on Sportlines, but I don't want to keep driving on them...I want to keep the stock struts and shocks in good shape for if the car ever goes back to stock.

I'm just curious if anyone has experienced a blown struts or shock yet?

Thanks.


Sorry I didn't do a search before hand...wasn't sure if this topic has been covered.

 

my fe1 lasted for 40k and the fe5 should last longer due to being built for lower springs.

 

mine have only been on with the sportlines for about 6000 miles.
but no issues so far, and i havent been very easy on them. i know thats not much help...

 

Im wanting to do this soon,im getting my sportlines and want a cheaper alternative to strut/shock upgrade

IS this what I would need http://www.crateenginedepot.com/store/Cobalt-FE5-Struts-and-Shock-Pkg-FE5-S-P2433C188.aspx?UserID=9878356&SessionID=4v4zlk5aHY ukDqx{SHPg

 

Seems like Pedder's springs use a better spring rate.

 

Of course they do...but what do you expect? They are a performance and handling spring where as the Sportlines are a "for looks" spring with just a minimal amount of performance/handling gain above stock springs.

I'm now considering going with either the Eibach Pro-kit or the Pedders springs (it just depends on how much I want to spend on my car and how much work I want to do).

I will be getting the SS/TC struts and shocks before summer and installing my Sportlines on them. After I get a chance to see how I like the handling (which will be a huge improvement over my FE1 suspension), then I will decide what to do with the springs. I just started a 2nd job which is pizza delivery and being lower doesn't seem like such a great idea anymore...all different driveways, pot holes, road hazards...I would rather have it sit a half inch to inch higher and be able to handle a bit better than be low.

 

Eibach springs suck. They blow out almost every Cobalt strut because they use horrible spring rates. Granted the SS/TC struts and shocks can handle them better, I still don't think it's the best spring for the buck.

 

I don't disagree...for the first 6 months to a year I had my Sportlines, they were great...I loved them. As I said, I'm looking at trading ride height for ride quality. That's why I said Pedders or Pro-kit...the Pro-kit is a lot better than the Sportlines...handling is much better.

If I could do it over again, I would've gone with Progress or H&R for my first set I think (probably H&R). I would still probably want to switch them up with the Pro-kit or Pedders though. I really would like the Pedders, but I can't justify spending that much money on them brand new....I'd pick up a used set for $100+ less if people ever sell them. That's the main reason I am even considering the Pro-kit...because they are a lot cheaper than the Pedders.

I have a lot to do to my car still in terms of handling and enough left in terms of performance, but I don't have near enough money coming in. Too many other financial responsibilities....hopefullly before the end of this year most of it will be done (or at least purchased to do for the following spring/summer).

 

Try waiting it out for a month or two and see if anyone is selling there Pedders.

 

Well I'm going with sportlines next week and I hope I end up liking them,Im going more for the look aspect as I dont drive my car very fast anyways.

 

lol i doubt ull see them up here for sale... plus if they ever do they will be gone in under 5 minutes guaranteed. infact id be willing to bet 5 bucks theyd sell faster than LNF lower front grilles lol

 

i have had my sportlines on my car for about 30k and the struts are still doing perfect!

 

had my sportlines on for 20k miles, no problems

 

Yup, I have sportlines on my lsj, stock struts and shocks for about 20k and they still ride with no problems. Definitely harsher then stock though

 

Mine have been on for at least 15-20k (stock struts and shocks are still doing fine, but they won't last forever), but I just don't care for them anymore. The car looks great, but I'm more about handling.


I'll tell you one thing...I have an LS and only an Injen CAI on the car right now...my only plans are full exhaust and the intake and a tune. Not going for "fast" driving either...I do push my car though and I love to push it to it's limits in handling...that's why I want something different.

If you just do normal every day driving, they aren't so bad....you will be annoyed by the harsh ride after a year or two though. Mine have been on for almost 2 years and I'm annoyed by the ride now.

 

im still very confused on how people say the ride is muchhh harsher.
im lowering my ls soon and getin SS/TC shocks and struts. and i want the same drop as sportlines. i was planning to even buy sportlines. everyone says different things about sportlines. one person says there good another says there crap. i want a good drop but dont understand how the ride would be harsher. would i even be able to tell the ride is harsher.?
if this is not what people want than what springs are good for the money with a good drop for a ls and wont give this harsh ride everyone says. because i dont wanna fork over 200+ for springs and drive my car and have it drive like trash. i want good stuff with out spending 800 for coilovers.

 

1 inch bumps feel like curbs with blown lsj struts and sportlines /thread they suck. spring rates suck, and i need a new alternative have my tc struts sitting here debating whether to put stoclers on for quality or keep the sportlines for awhile

 

I say go with pedders or the pro kit, I also have a LT with FE5 struts and I wanted to be lowered, but I didn't want to be so low that I scraped or have a shitty ride. While I was doing my research I found that the pedder/pro-kit are the only springs designed for performance and ride quality, if you are just going for the slammed look get sportlines...but if your wanting to lower as much as possible then obviously your going to sacrafice ride quality just like everyone else that's super low on springs...

 

I will put my 2 cents into my thread since I swapped out my Sportlines and FE1 struts and shocks for Pedders and FE5 TC struts and shocks.

The ride is night and day difference. I can't say if it was mainly the struts/shocks or if it's the springs because I didn't try the Pedders with the FE1 stuff.

I do know that now it's so much better in corners and twisties. I could go run auto-x and do decent with this setup. I think I need the FE5 front sway to really complete the car in terms of handling along with some 17's w/ 225/45's, but I will survive on my 15" steelies with 205/60's.

They don't ride nearly as harsh as the car did before, it goes where you want it to go and I've noticed especially in 2 separate emergency braking maneuvers, these have definitely helped there as well.