Time to refresh tired suspension! Suggestions?

**rcdino1978** · 10-03-2011

So, after putting some weight in the 98 GP's trunk this weekend, I realized just how shot the stock struts and springs are. Gonna start with new struts and springs, and probably do sway bars while I am at it. I am not necessarily looking to get crazy aggressive, but definitely want to tighten up the stock suspension a good bit. Looking at about a $800 budget, and the struts definetely gotta go. I can pick up the KYB quickstruts for about the same price as the Monroe,($125 each), so what is everybodys thoughts? Does anybody know if the KYB quickstruts are any good?

**codyAK** · 10-03-2011

Kyb gr-2(or excel-g) is an excellent stock replacement. As long as their quickstrut uses that it's probably good.
I would say one of the best thing to freshen suspension is replacing your control arms, and they're relatively cheap if you're doing the work yourself.

Also get under the car and look for worn bushings, if you do sway bar also get some new endlinks.

**rcdino1978** · 10-03-2011

awesome, thanks! any recommendations on which swaybars? I was thinking the GMPP bar from ZZP

**SilvaMan61** · 10-03-2011

Jump to page 6 http://www.grandprixforums.net/silva...t-6-41118.html
That is what I'll be doing. I forget what my total $

**Bio248** · 10-03-2011

honestly for what you're doing you might as well throw some mild lowering springs on the car while you're at it.

**rcdino1978** · 10-04-2011

Any recommendations on lowering springs besides Eibach? It kinda sucks that I work for one of the top racing spring companies in the world, but we have absolutely nothing that will fit without retrofitting the struts to coilovers! Does anyone know who manufactures the DNA Motoring kit or the SCC kit? I know enough abouth the Eibach springs to know there is not really any testing/engineering behind their lowering springs, they just figure a drop and increase the spring rate, based on the stock spring rate, which may tighten up the suspension, but doesn't necessarily help the overall balance of the car any. BTW I live in north central Indiana, and this car is my DD so I can't go too low, since we have to drive through up to 6 inches of snow at times.

**rcdino1978** · 10-04-2011

Going to get a new "high flow"(read:hollow) cat and u-bend delete done today, already had to replace the resonator with a glass pack and have a sneaky feeling the stock cat is partially plugged, which is causing me to only get 14 mpg, even when I drive like a grandma, and occasionally throw a P0301 code, and I have changed plugs, wires, coil packs, injectors, etc, it only seems to throw the code after a long drive or if I am beating the hell out of it and it gets nice and hot. When it throws the code the idle gets a little rough also, but nevers dies and as soon as I get on the gas the miss goes away.

**codyAK** · 10-04-2011

I run ssc lowering springs, I'm happy with them..

Also on sway bars, I went with gmpp.. Found the best deal through summit racing

**Sandman** · 10-04-2011

GMPP swaybars, Vogtland springs, GR-2 struts, and some UMI rear control arms. That should tighten up the suspension, be fun, and still ride nice. My suspension is a little more aggressive with Eibachs but I wouldn't have it any other way.

**Wotgtp** · 10-05-2011

I have a gmpp kit and vogland springs, just waiting on wbody store to send KYB gr2 Struts and accessories to install on my car. I will let you know how it turns out when I put them in. The members I've seen with them like the Handling characteristics of said parts which is why I decided to get them.

**Odi** · 10-05-2011

GM Parts Direct: Your direct source for Genuine GM Parts gmpp kit. i think this is the cheapest around.

right now im on fresh suspension, pretty much everything replaced other than lateral arms. for the drop i got ssc springs w/ agx shocks. i do like the shocks so far, adjustment is quite handy.

**Sandman** · 10-07-2011

Originally Posted by Odi

right now im on fresh suspension, pretty much everything replaced other than lateral arms. for the drop i got ssc springs w/ agx shocks. i do like the shocks so far, adjustment is quite handy.

Get some good lateral arms, it's an awesome way to finish off any suspension. I <3 my UMIs

**codyAK** · 10-07-2011

Originally Posted by Sandman

Get some good lateral arms, it's an awesome way to finish off any suspension. I <3 my UMIs

UMI makes lateral arms?
Hmm I their trailing arms I did not know they made lateral arms though.

**matt5112** · 10-07-2011

Lateral arms help the rear end that much?

My rear end is quite loose at the moment.

Even with an addco sway bar, vogtlands, bilsteins and GMPP trailing arms.

**Sandman** · 10-07-2011

Originally Posted by codyAK

UMI makes lateral arms?
Hmm I their trailing arms I did not know they made lateral arms though.

Control arms, whoops

Originally Posted by matt5112

Lateral arms help the rear end that much?

My rear end is quite loose at the moment.

Even with an addco sway bar, vogtlands, bilsteins and GMPP trailing arms.

I could feel the difference on slower turns, they do quite a bit with helping the tires stay in place.

**matt5112** · 10-07-2011

Slower turns?

I'm talking right before the tires give out, rear end feels sloppy.

Could be my low rolling resistance 16's though...

Nevermind, you're talking about trailing arms

**Sandman** · 10-07-2011

Or those whatever they're called lol

I'm just saying you can feel the difference even on slower turns it's that much of a difference. I have gotten my car a little slideways before by accident. They are well worth the $110, turns can be taken much faster.

**geoffwilde** · 10-07-2011

I'm in the same place... tired suspension, but not looking to drop lots of $$ into this. It's a DD with usually me in the car, maybe 2 small kids. No heavy loads, etc.

Would love a comprehensive parts list of a modest replacement. I'm ok with something a bit better than stock, but not looking to go autocross the car.

**matt5112** · 10-07-2011

buy KYB complete struts.

Dorman/moog LCA's.

moog outer tie rods.

moog sway bar links and bushings all around.

that should take care of most of it.