Hey folks,

I've hit 140k miles and obviously, my struts and shocks are completely blown. It probably doesn't help that I cut the springs around 115k miles either .

I want to get a new setup, but can't afford coilovers right now. I want to get the Eibach Sportline spring kit, but don't want to get stock struts and shocks, as I am afraid that the lowered height will wear them faster.

What can you recommend for a good aftermarket shock and strut that will handle lowering springs decently? I am aware that all lowering springs shorten the life of the strut or shock, but I want to know what my best bet would be. As always, thanks for the help!!!

 

I'd go with the Powell springs and either Koni or stock SS/TC struts

 

Get Powell's YYZ springs. They're more expensive than Sportlines but they won't break your struts/shocks and they handle like a dream. v5 are the lowest ones, comparable to Sportlines (I had Sportlines myself before upgrading to all-Powell suspension).
As far as shocks/struts you can simply get GM replacements. Best bang for your buck.

 

Koni's are nice but not needed if you want to keep the price down, only V1 from Powell was higher after that they were lowered and they'll look like this.
http://www.crateenginedepot.com/Coba...50961C948.aspx
You can get them cheaper if you piece them together but it'd be a little harder.

 

V1 are the least low. V5 is the lowest and is the same as V3 which are on my car. This is the best picture I could find.

 

V5 and V3 had no changes I'm trying to say so after v1 they are all just as low. V2 only had larger pigtails that didn't fit this isolators as well. V3's were accidentally marked V4 so after that they just skipped to V5.

 

Wow guys thanks a lot, great information here. And thanks for the pics! Those do look great.

Couple of questions..
So your recommendation is to buy the YYZ V5 springs with stock SS/TC shocks and struts?
Will this ride height be somewhat equivalent to the Sportlines?
Would I need the boot kits and all that for installation or would they usually come with the struts?
I'm currently running Bridgestone Potenza 215/50R17 on 17x7. I doubt rubbing will be any issue but I just want to make sure. It's a rather meaty sidewall but I think it will look good with minimal wheel gap, as long as it doesn't rub.

 

I should also note that this is my daily driver, mostly highways about an hour and a half total per day. A lot of stop and go traffic, and not the best quality highways. I want the look, but I do want to keep it as practical as possible, which is why I haven't splurged on the coilovers. I just want a decently comfortable ride with minimal wheel gap. Pretty much anything will be better than the current setup though haha.

 

Not a very good picture but this is 17x7 IRL wheels with a 225/45/17 tire.

If you get the assembled kit I posted you don't have to worry about all those bushings. You can probably save a little by piecing yours together though. Rockauto sells the FE5 (08-10) shocks/struts for very cheap but then you need to get all the little rubber bushings and assemble them with the springs.

 

Does anyone have any idea what exactly I would need additionally if I were to buy the struts and shocks separately?

Would I need everything pictured here minus the strut and spring itself, or is there anything that will come with the new struts or anything that I can re-use from the current setup? 2008 - 2010 Cobalt SS Turbo Front Strut Parts

Thanks again!

 

Sooo after some research, either building them or buying them as a built set might still be a bit out of my price range. I do agree that these would probably be the best option, and I might be willing to spend the money, but again, this is a daily driver with 140k miles on it, and honestly, I don't want to invest that kind of money on a base model Cobalt. I mean, I'm simply driving on the highway after all, no racing, no motox with my 170hp lol. Does anyone know anything about these?

Megan Racing EZ Street Coilovers Chevy Cobalt SS (05-10) MR-CDK-CC06-EZ

I know all too well, you get what you pay for. I also understand that these are cheap coilovers. With that being said, does anyone think that they would get me to work and home reasonably comfortably with a good look at the same time? Thanks.

 

just buy fe5 struts and springs for the same price. upgrade springs later down the road. and theyll sell quicker than those megans if you decide to sell them down the road

 

Just a question, and I probably already know the answer here... But. If I were to search "2010 Cobalt SS Turbo" in O'Reilly's website, and it returned results for Monroe shocks and struts, would those not even be close when it comes to quality and handling as compared to the GM FE5 shocks and struts?

You would think that if they were "factory replacements" they would be pretty close. Considering how much cheaper they are than the FE5's, it might be worth it for me IF they are decent quality with the YYZ v5 springs installed.

Again, I'm not doing autoX or racing or tracking my car. I just want a nice handling car with a decent stance for a comfortable daily driver. Opinions are greatly appreciated.

 

I just replaced my suspension on my 07 SS/SC. I went with the KYB Excel G fully loaded struts, and KYB GR2 Excel G shocks, they ride great and I am going to eventually upgrade to the Eibach Pro Series spring set

 

Those shocks/struts are complete crap. If you don't care for handling too much just get the full FE5 kit and don't worry about the YYZ springs even if they are amazing.

 

Okay so I bought the FE5 struts/shocks and all components (minus springs) from gmpartsdirect.com and got a great deal. I ordered D2 lowering springs from APTuned.com, waited 7 days with no update, and then they cancelled my order saying that they or D2 did not have them in stock.

The YYZ springs are a bit out of my price range, and I really am looking for something a bit lower than that. I also do not need autox level handling, as this is my daily driver, not a 300whp SS T/C. I want something that will look good and handle decently enough with minimal bouncing. I do understand that lowering springs will be bouncy, so I guess I should ask what my best bet would be for the highest amount of drop with the lowest amount of bounce?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I am looking to order something ASAP because I need to get these things installed. Thanks!

 

Went with H&R springs. I'll be sure to post pics after I install them! Thanks for all the input

 

good work guys

 

All done and settled! Also dipped the wheels while they were off. I think it turned out pretty good. Ride quality is great although a little bumpy, which is to be expected with lowering springs. Handling is 1000000000x better than before. Let me know what you think!

Before FE5 struts, shocks, and H&R sport springs (-2):


After FE5 struts, shocks, and H&R sport springs (-2):


Next is to paint the drums, 12mm spacers, and dip the roof!