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Choosing Replacement Suspension

G

GTPNovak

New member
I have a 2000 Grand Prix Coupe that is in need of suspension the front floats and pogos whenever I hit bumps. It is stock suspension with 70K but I think age has taken its toll.
I researched about what is the best route to go. But now more confused about what set up to get. I was hoping for a stock ride or slightly performance ride. I do not want to lower the car. Just wondering what others have done in this situation?

Options are quick struts: read mix reviews on this option, also read that it turns the car into a 4x4 lifting some as much at 1.5”
KYB GR-2 / Excel – G (same strut based on KYB statement on their web site)
Monroe
Cheap ebay brands (not an option for me)

Building a Strut: Would need all the new mounts and bushings and decide on springs. (the back is sagging so I don’t want to reuse)
KYB AGX adjustable
Ac Delco (Bilsteins) Don’t really want to pay $240 a strut

Or do I look for someone who has low mile suspension they took off a compG or a GXP? If my research is correct any suspension from 97 to 08 will be a bolt on. Although there was many different spring rates for the different vehicles.
 


I have had the KYB GR2's on all for corners with new mounts for 30k miles at this time, stock original springs, and GMPP front sway bar and poly bushings, homemade anti pogo washers, car rides "taut" but not too harsh and handles well, stock ride height. Cant complain.
 
It sounds like you're just looking for a good and fair priced strut/spring setup?

I would go with:
KYB AGX
New mounts
SSC lowering springs
Anti-Pogo washers

Adding thicker trailing arms, BMR strut tower bars and GMPP sway bars would make for a solid setup.
 
I'm running stock springs with GR-2's on my 00 GPGT. Rides fine for a stock setup. And anytime you replace the struts do the mounts anyway so everything is nice and new, even if you re-use the springs. If you don't plan on lowering it then I'd think the cost of the AGX's would be a waste of $$. And the front struts on some of the 04-05 cars had a different mounting for the sway bar IIRC so if you go that route be sure they are like the ones you currently have. Personally for a DD, I'd go with a quickstrut. Should come with all new hardware and ready to bolt in.
 
I have new strut top plates for sale. For stock quality, go wit the kyb gr2. No need to change the springs, but you can put a taller spring in the back by using a 2000 Olds intrigue spring. I've had a few set's of the gr2 strut and was happy with them. If you don't use a quick strut you will need new top mounting plates like the ones I have for sale
 
The quick strut is really the route i had planned on until i read they can lift the car by 1" or more. The reason i did not want to lower it is due to the SD header down pipe that hangs low (if i ever get to installing them).

Looks like the Vogtland springs give the least amount of drop, maybe i will look into those...

Also this car does not get driven during winter so i dont need to worry about that is lowered.
 


If you need replacements I have two monroe struts with new replacements springs for $80.00 plus shipping all new. if you are interested
you will need strut plates which looks like sgtmarshall is selling
 
Alright so after extensive searching I have come to the conclusion that no one offers a lowing strut without spending the money for Bilsteins. The GR-2 / Excel-G part number 334227 (front) and 334228 (rear) for the grand prix will wear out quickly with any sort of lowering spring. The 04+ Impala/Monte Carlo w/special handling package GR-2 / Excel-G part number 339015 (front) and 339148 (rear) these struts are 10mm shorter then stock, will fair slightly better with a lowering spring. The AXG last even a little longer but not are a true lowering strut. Any of these struts have had mixed reviews of working great on lowering spring for 80k + miles and other have had them blow out after only 10k.
So I think lowering springs are no longer a viable option for my car.
Quick struts are out due to the change it may lift the car and inch or more.

So now I think I have talked myself into finding stock aftermarket replacement struts.

Does anyone know the fender height from the ground a stock GTP Coupe should be at? I think my springs are sagging and would need to replace them so I don’t prematurely wear out the struts.

Also, I plan on buying new isolators, mounting plates, and bearings.

Wondering if it’s cheaper in the end to buy quick struts and change out the springs for factory springs?
 
Did you look at the AC DElco FE3s? Thats what I am using on my 04, they will work on your 2000
 
The struts don't control the height of the car, the springs do. So if you replace the struts and reuse the factory worn out springs the height should remain the same, ass sag and all. If you replace with new everything it should raise it some as it will be back at factory (read: 4x4) height. If you like the height of the body now then grab the lowering springs of choice and some new struts/hardware and call it done.
 


if it was me, I would just buy the strut/spring combo that Javi is selling and keep in mind that I have these mounting plates for sale if you chose to go that route.
 
FordMan77 said:
The struts don't control the height of the car, the springs do. So if you replace the struts and reuse the factory worn out springs the height should remain the same, ass sag and all. If you replace with new everything it should raise it some as it will be back at factory (read: 4x4) height. If you like the height of the body now then grab the lowering springs of choice and some new struts/hardware and call it done.
Click to expand...

Yes, springs control the height which is why struts that are designed to perform at a certain height wear out quickly on a spring that they are not designed for (lowering springs). For this reason lowering spring are off the table for my car.
I am looking for fender heights to determine if i in fact have sagging springs to see if they need to be replaced.

There are many different spring rates for w-body cars with different suspension packages. I am purely guessing here but I bet the manufacture of the quick strut chose one spring rate for all the quick struts, which in turn is why some have no lift and some have 1.5+ inches of lift. Also like you said springs control the height of the car so sagging springs could make it seem the quick struts lifted the car as well, which is why having fender height measurements would help greatly.
 
SgtMarshal said:
if it was me, I would just buy the strut/spring combo that Javi is selling and keep in mind that I have these mounting plates for sale if you chose to go that route.
Click to expand...

Because you could unload the parts for sale? I would like to talk about the mounting plates. I will send a PM
 
GTPNovak said:
Alright so after extensive searching I have come to the conclusion that no one offers a lowing strut without spending the money for Bilsteins. The GR-2 / Excel-G part number 334227 (front) and 334228 (rear) for the grand prix will wear out quickly with any sort of lowering spring. The 04+ Impala/Monte Carlo w/special handling package GR-2 / Excel-G part number 339015 (front) and 339148 (rear) these struts are 10mm shorter then stock, will fair slightly better with a lowering spring. The AXG last even a little longer but not are a true lowering strut. Any of these struts have had mixed reviews of working great on lowering spring for 80k + miles and other have had them blow out after only 10k.
So I think lowering springs are no longer a viable option for my car.
Quick struts are out due to the change it may lift the car and inch or more.

So now I think I have talked myself into finding stock aftermarket replacement struts.

Does anyone know the fender height from the ground a stock GTP Coupe should be at? I think my springs are sagging and would need to replace them so I don’t prematurely wear out the struts.

Also, I plan on buying new isolators, mounting plates, and bearings.

Wondering if it’s cheaper in the end to buy quick struts and change out the springs for factory springs?
Click to expand...

Vogtland springs will give the least amount of drop. They work fine with AGX's. That is the combo that my brother is currently using on his 03. It's comparable to the GMPP lowering kit (discontinued long ago) in terms of looks and performance that is on my 99. He was previously using the AGX's with the 04+ special handling of the Impala/Monte Carlo. The fronts wore out just as fast as the regular GR2's. The rears were doing good.

If you are looking to stay with the factory springs then run either KYB GR2 set. If the rear springs are sagging pick up some rear springs from an Intrigue to raise it up again. I believe Moog makes a spring as well to fix that.
 


Has anyone used the 04 Impala with police / taxi handling package on a 00 Grand Prix.
Part numbers: 171670, 171671L, 171671R
 
I am aware it will ride higher but i am okay with that. It an everyday (minus the winter) driver. Pretty much rust free and have a Wrangler for the winter.
 
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