Suspension Springs, Shocks, Brakes

Shocks and struts for a lowered base/LS

Old Apr 11, 2006 | 12:06 AM
  #1  
Halfcent's Avatar
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Shocks and struts for a lowered base/LS

I just thought of this. Don't why I didn't think of it earlier. Maybe somebody else thought of it too...

First, if there a difference between the SS shocks/struts and the base ones? I'm sure there is and I will find out tomorrow when I'm at the shop.

Second, assuming there is a difference, can you put SS shocks/struts on a base model? I'm also pretty sure you could do that to, but I would need to find out.

Third, if you can, wouldn't that make SS shocks/struts ideal for use on a base model that has been lowered using Eibach Prokits? The prokit is just about the exact same spring as the SS spring except with the rear being just a half inch lower. That should work, right?
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Old Apr 11, 2006 | 12:10 AM
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I beleive SS Shocks/Struts will fit on a Base, I'd be interested if the price was right, but i'm kind of skeptical as to the availability of these parts
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Old Apr 11, 2006 | 10:12 AM
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i thought of it but i dont have the money to randomly test ideas out like that, id be interested to know for sure
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Old Apr 11, 2006 | 01:42 PM
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Anyone wanna give me their SS/SC Shocks and Struts to test this theory
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Old Apr 11, 2006 | 01:52 PM
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I will puruse the service manual tonight and see if I can note any differences.
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Old Apr 11, 2006 | 02:40 PM
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Halfcent, is your car even lowered!? I checked out your gallery and in the pics that show your wheel gap, your car doesn't look lowered at all...in fact it looks to have more wheel gap than my car and its stock.

I have an 06 LT Coupe and I have the same rims as you, maybe its just the pics but your car looks really high to me.

But anyway...I believe the SS/SC's do have different shocks/struts than the others, and they should be compatible with any coupe.
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Old Apr 11, 2006 | 05:42 PM
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I believe the only difference between the struts is how they are valved, I'm willing to bet that physically they are exactly the same.

the only problem is the cost for stock SS/SC struts is about the price you'd pay normally for an aftermarket set
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Old Apr 11, 2006 | 06:01 PM
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the ls's/lts have the "premium ride" suspension. the SS n/s has the "tuned sports" suspension and the SS s/c has the "preformance handling" suspension. dont know why they wouldnt be interchangable, but might be cheaper going with aftermarket though ( although i was told that the grounds effect body kit for the SS s/c wouldnt fit the lt/ls models, but yet arent they the same body?)
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Old Apr 11, 2006 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by artawesome
the ls's/lts have the "premium ride" suspension. the SS n/s has the "tuned sports" suspension and the SS s/c has the "preformance handling" suspension. dont know why they wouldnt be interchangable, but might be cheaper going with aftermarket though ( although i was told that the grounds effect body kit for the SS s/c wouldnt fit the lt/ls models, but yet arent they the same body?)

no aftermarket yet, at least not that i've seen
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Old Apr 12, 2006 | 12:33 AM
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They are different parts, I found that out today. I didn't bother to check the price because they are pretty expensive. They can be installed in a base model. So I got all that figured out at least.

No, I haven't lowered my car yet for this very reason. I wanted to be a little more sure about the effects of lowering using stock struts and shocks. I have the Pro-kit sitting in my closet along with the alignment kit to go with it. I just haven't done it yet until I can learn a little more about this. Plus, if I'm going to do it, I'd rather do it once instead of finding out later that there is a better strut available for the job and have to do it all over again.
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Old Apr 12, 2006 | 09:36 AM
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actually I though that too thats why I've been trying to sell my equipment in the parts section

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/parts-66/fs-cobalt-ss-sc-suspension-15266/

I'm only asking for $200cnd OBO (about 173USD) + shipping

I don't need it anymore because I got coil overs now.

the combo is great for anyone with a none SS cobalt or non GT pursuit.

and like you said the SS?SC spring is the same as the prokit, except the SS/SC spring will give you the positive rake angle, while the prokit levels the car off.
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Old Apr 12, 2006 | 12:36 PM
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I'd buy that suspension off you if someone verified that LS suspension can be replaced by SS suspension, I'm going to need new shocks/struts soon because i'm lowering my LS with sportlines, so i dont expect the stock stuff to last very long
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Old Apr 13, 2006 | 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Halfcent
They are different parts, I found that out today. I didn't bother to check the price because they are pretty expensive. They can be installed in a base model. So I got all that figured out at least.

No, I haven't lowered my car yet for this very reason. I wanted to be a little more sure about the effects of lowering using stock struts and shocks. I have the Pro-kit sitting in my closet along with the alignment kit to go with it. I just haven't done it yet until I can learn a little more about this. Plus, if I'm going to do it, I'd rather do it once instead of finding out later that there is a better strut available for the job and have to do it all over again.
then I would suggest that you wait til an aftermarket strut is available. you may be able to get away with stock struts with the pro kit since there is a minimal drop but an quality spring/strut combo will greatly improve handling vs just a spring upgrade. Installing springs on stock struts is more of an aesthetic mod since there isn't a great difference in handling between stock and lowered.
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Old May 5, 2006 | 08:17 AM
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If I was to lower my car with springs with stock struts and stuff, How long do u think the stock parts would last before I would have to replace them? I have a 4 year lease and I dont really feel like replacing the whole suspension in order to get rid of it cuz it "**** the bed." Anyone here have a lease with suspension work done to it?

later
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Old May 5, 2006 | 08:34 AM
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if you use for example the proline series, you may get 40k miles
but if you get the sportlines, I'd don't see you getting more then 25k before you start to feel bouncy

Last edited by player_1; May 5, 2006 at 02:02 PM.
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Old May 5, 2006 | 12:08 PM
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Oh, really? I thought my sportlines would kill my LS in something more like 5k miles, thats a relief!
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Old May 5, 2006 | 02:03 PM
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tell you the truth I have no way of knowing for sure.
I'd have a better idea if I was driving an ls with sportlines, but i'm not.

but you tell us, how long have you been driving on your sportlines, and do you feel any difference from when you origonally put them on, and now.
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Old May 5, 2006 | 04:53 PM
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just a little info, i have the eibach prokits on my 06 ls and the shocks are almost shot after only 4000 miles on the new springs. the car only had 3000 mi when they were installed. although that does include a couple of autocrosses and i pretty much drive hard all the time.
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Old May 5, 2006 | 07:51 PM
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How's the shot shocks feel like, I hope its not too unbearable for the ride, because I dont want to have a shitty ride and not be able to get aftemarket suspension
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Old May 5, 2006 | 10:02 PM
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well theyre not completely gone yet, but last weekend i tried to autox on them and almost spun several times because they werent controling the springs at all after the first two turns. going down the highway theyre not bad yet they still absorb the occasional dip and bump.
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Old May 6, 2006 | 12:42 PM
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the combination of the lower springs & the Autox is what killed your shocks so quickly.
it's actually cinda surprising how quickly.
but someone who wasn't Autox ing should get triple the life. but again I don't have an ls so it's only a guess
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