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I need your input on my 2000 GTP Suspension

cprher

cprher

New member
Earlier this year I bought a used 2000 GTP Coupe (red of course with a tan interior) in really nice cosmetic shape. Even with 100K on the clock it seemed in OK mechanical shape, especially the motor. Soon thereafter I had to replace the trans and that started me on a modification kick. Since buying it I've concentrated on the suspension mostly since the stock motor is very, very potent for a 6 cylinder, especially when working through a good tranny. I kept my stock springs, installed KYB AGX struts, 12" StopTech front rotors with Hawk full ceramic pads, Stoptech rear rotors with ceramic pads, new powder coated NHT calipers, Addco front and rear sway bars, GMPP trailing arms and new mounting plates, front GMPP tower brace and to top it off, a Corsa cat back system. Since that time (10K miles so far) I've reached the following conclusions:

1. Exhaust. If noise is an issue at all Corsa is the way to go. All other systems are far louder than Corsa, especially in the area of resonance. I originally installed an SLP cat back system with a large resonator. I was not happy at all with how the car sounded inside. Outside...fantastic. Inside...ugh.
2. Brakes. The brakes are the best I've ever had on any car bar none!!! The combination of upgrading to a 12" front rotor, StopTech rotors and Hawk ceramic pads is a complete success. I'd recommend it to anyone.
3. Sway Bars. Started by finding out the ends of my stock bar were rusting through and breaking. Had an older model Addco front bar, but it would not fit. I contacted them and at no charge sent me a new front bar. Fit perfectly. The rear however is a different story. The bar fits well enough but does not have the same shape as the stock sway bar and comes VERY close to the Y-bend of the Corsa. Had to jury-rig an exhaust mount to prevent them from coming into contact. It works but I had jury rigging anything. The most frustrating thing was trying to get the cooperation of other sway bar manufacturers in determining which bars may fit better. They just didn't seem very interested in helping.
4. Struts. This is the real reason for this email. I use my car to commute daily 40 miles one way from Severna Park, MD to the Pentagon. The roads in the DC area are some of the roughest I've ever driven on. The KYB AGX shocks are NOT the right choice and although I've only got 10K on them I want to go back to a more compliant strut. However, I want the best quality, most long wearing strut I can find. What do you guys (and gals) recommend? Should I go with all new stock GM replacement struts? Should I go to non-adjustable KYB? Gabriel? Monroe? Koni? I'm not going for low price but instead the best quality and performance. What do you recommend?
 


i go with GM replacement struts. did you replace the rear trailing arm yet?
00-05 monte carlo and impala front and rear sways and rear trailing arm will fit the gtp. they are thicker and little heavier than the gp. the trailing arms are tubular shape just like gmpp. idk but i think the monte carlo and impala sways and trailing arm are gmpp parts.
 
I have the GMPP trailing arms (links?) mounted with new mounting plates (mine were really really rusted) and I'm using stock wheels and Goodyear Assurance Triple Tread tires (225 60H 16). Car sits level so I don't believe I have a spring sack problem.
 
By the way, thanks for all your input. I found it very helpful. Since we last talked my problem has been resolved. It was a bad strut on the right rear. I just had it replaced with a new AGX strut, set all four on numero uno and the car drives brilliantly!!! Not harsh (except over really obnoxious bumps) and very controlled. I'll even get my bad strut exchanged for a good one by the seller. What's not to like?
 


cprher said:
Earlier this year I bought a used 2000 GTP Coupe (red of course with a tan interior) in really nice cosmetic shape. Even with 100K on the clock it seemed in OK mechanical shape, especially the motor. Soon thereafter I had to replace the trans and that started me on a modification kick. Since buying it I've concentrated on the suspension mostly since the stock motor is very, very potent for a 6 cylinder, especially when working through a good tranny. I kept my stock springs, installed KYB AGX struts, 12" StopTech front rotors with Hawk full ceramic pads, Stoptech rear rotors with ceramic pads, new powder coated NHT calipers, Addco front and rear sway bars, GMPP trailing arms and new mounting plates, front GMPP tower brace and to top it off, a Corsa cat back system. Since that time (10K miles so far) I've reached the following conclusions:

1. Exhaust. If noise is an issue at all Corsa is the way to go. All other systems are far louder than Corsa, especially in the area of resonance. I originally installed an SLP cat back system with a large resonator. I was not happy at all with how the car sounded inside. Outside...fantastic. Inside...ugh.
2. Brakes. The brakes are the best I've ever had on any car bar none!!! The combination of upgrading to a 12" front rotor, StopTech rotors and Hawk ceramic pads is a complete success. I'd recommend it to anyone.
3. Sway Bars. Started by finding out the ends of my stock bar were rusting through and breaking. Had an older model Addco front bar, but it would not fit. I contacted them and at no charge sent me a new front bar. Fit perfectly. The rear however is a different story. The bar fits well enough but does not have the same shape as the stock sway bar and comes VERY close to the Y-bend of the Corsa. Had to jury-rig an exhaust mount to prevent them from coming into contact. It works but I had jury rigging anything. The most frustrating thing was trying to get the cooperation of other sway bar manufacturers in determining which bars may fit better. They just didn't seem very interested in helping.
4. Struts. This is the real reason for this email. I use my car to commute daily 40 miles one way from Severna Park, MD to the Pentagon. The roads in the DC area are some of the roughest I've ever driven on. The KYB AGX shocks are NOT the right choice and although I've only got 10K on them I want to go back to a more compliant strut. However, I want the best quality, most long wearing strut I can find. What do you guys (and gals) recommend? Should I go with all new stock GM replacement struts? Should I go to non-adjustable KYB? Gabriel? Monroe? Koni? I'm not going for low price but instead the best quality and performance. What do you recommend?
Click to expand...
How does the car handle on turns and bumps? Does it float and bounces or holds the road with tightness?
I have GR-2's and the bumps kills me. The handling is great but not bumps.
 
Glad to see you got things worked out. Did you install the pogo eliminators to help with the pogo over harsh bumps?
 
The Guz: don't have pogo eliminators because pogoing was never a problem. The KYBs are very, very good at controlling the cars movement. Their problem is the lack of compliance over small sharp bumps. The Monroe Quick Struts I am using now seem just as good as KYBs over the large whoops but are far more compliant over small sharp bumps.

Lion29GTP: The Monroes seem to hold the road just the same as the KYBs keeping in mind I'm not pushing the car around sharp turns but rather commuting with it on highways and city streets. I expect they would be found wanting as a performance shock but they are far more comfortable than the KYBs.
 
What kind of Monroe Struts are you using, Sensa-Trac? Because I've been to DC and Detroit has some pretty F'd up too roads and I understand what you mean bout the sharp bumps.
 
Monroe Quick Struts come with Monroe's premium strut, whatever they are called these days. I called Monroe Customer Service directly to confirm this and was assured the Quick Struts used the best strut available. My driving so far (~12000 miles) confirms this, but only from the "seat of my pants." The improvement is remarkable and I don't detect any decrease in handling prowess whatsoever. They are FAR more compliant than the KYB AGX struts and seem to control the car just as well. All in all a very cost effective solution. If you buy them, try Rock Auto. They have a great return policy and warranty.
 


cprher said:
Earlier this year I bought a used 2000 GTP Coupe (red of course with a tan interior) in really nice cosmetic shape. Even with 100K on the clock it seemed in OK mechanical shape, especially the motor. Soon thereafter I had to replace the trans and that started me on a modification kick. Since buying it I've concentrated on the suspension mostly since the stock motor is very, very potent for a 6 cylinder, especially when working through a good tranny. I kept my stock springs, installed KYB AGX struts, 12" StopTech front rotors with Hawk full ceramic pads, Stoptech rear rotors with ceramic pads, new powder coated NHT calipers, Addco front and rear sway bars, GMPP trailing arms and new mounting plates, front GMPP tower brace and to top it off, a Corsa cat back system. Since that time (10K miles so far) I've reached the following conclusions:

1. Exhaust. If noise is an issue at all Corsa is the way to go. All other systems are far louder than Corsa, especially in the area of resonance. I originally installed an SLP cat back system with a large resonator. I was not happy at all with how the car sounded inside. Outside...fantastic. Inside...ugh.
2. Brakes. The brakes are the best I've ever had on any car bar none!!! The combination of upgrading to a 12" front rotor, StopTech rotors and Hawk ceramic pads is a complete success. I'd recommend it to anyone.
3. Sway Bars. Started by finding out the ends of my stock bar were rusting through and breaking. Had an older model Addco front bar, but it would not fit. I contacted them and at no charge sent me a new front bar. Fit perfectly. The rear however is a different story. The bar fits well enough but does not have the same shape as the stock sway bar and comes VERY close to the Y-bend of the Corsa. Had to jury-rig an exhaust mount to prevent them from coming into contact. It works but I had jury rigging anything. The most frustrating thing was trying to get the cooperation of other sway bar manufacturers in determining which bars may fit better. They just didn't seem very interested in helping.
4. Struts. This is the real reason for this email. I use my car to commute daily 40 miles one way from Severna Park, MD to the Pentagon. The roads in the DC area are some of the roughest I've ever driven on. The KYB AGX shocks are NOT the right choice and although I've only got 10K on them I want to go back to a more compliant strut. However, I want the best quality, most long wearing strut I can find. What do you guys (and gals) recommend? Should I go with all new stock GM replacement struts? Should I go to non-adjustable KYB? Gabriel? Monroe? Koni? I'm not going for low price but instead the best quality and performance. What do you recommend?
Click to expand...
I had KYB's front and it's garbage, so i went with Sachs Touring ( German). It rides nice, cushions and is not as hard as the KYB.
Good Luck
Where did you get your Corsa, i'm looking for the same thing.....QUIETTTTT.
 
Where did you find these? I looked around for them for the Pontiacs, but all I saw for Sachs was stuff VW's and other imports. What model numbers work on the GPs? Just curious.

Thanks!

~~~~~~~~~EDIT~~~~~~~~~~~

I found them! And their prices aren't to terribly bad.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/s...ial&N=1697+4294964822&Nty=1&V=1697&Vh=Pontiac

This place only listed Pontiac stuff for the Bonneville, Aztec and the Grand Am. Couldn't find anything "truly" GP related :(
 
Sorry for the long delay.The application is from a 2000 Impala. I did clear it up with someone who was listing it and told them it works on GTP's and if he can correct the application list, i never went back to check.If you need the part # i can look it up, let me know.Good luck
Lionel
 
cprher said:
1. Exhaust. If noise is an issue at all Corsa is the way to go. All other systems are far louder than Corsa, especially in the area of resonance. I originally installed an SLP cat back system with a large resonator. I was not happy at all with how the car sounded inside. Outside...fantastic. Inside...ugh.

I had a Borla system on my 2000 GTP and loved it!!!

2. Brakes. The brakes are the best I've ever had on any car bar none!!! The combination of upgrading to a 12" front rotor, StopTech rotors and Hawk ceramic pads is a complete success. I'd recommend it to anyone.
3. Sway Bars. Started by finding out the ends of my stock bar were rusting through and breaking. Had an older model Addco front bar, but it would not fit. I contacted them and at no charge sent me a new front bar. Fit perfectly. The rear however is a different story. The bar fits well enough but does not have the same shape as the stock sway bar and comes VERY close to the Y-bend of the Corsa. Had to jury-rig an exhaust mount to prevent them from coming into contact. It works but I had jury rigging anything. The most frustrating thing was trying to get the cooperation of other sway bar manufacturers in determining which bars may fit better. They just didn't seem very interested in helping.

I had the BRM set-up trailing arms lateral arms,and sway arms and sturt bars, loved those to.

4. Struts. This is the real reason for this email. I use my car to commute daily 40 miles one way from Severna Park, MD to the Pentagon. The roads in the DC area are some of the roughest I've ever driven on. The KYB AGX shocks are NOT the right choice and although I've only got 10K on them I want to go back to a more compliant strut. However, I want the best quality, most long wearing strut I can find. What do you guys (and gals) recommend? Should I go with all new stock GM replacement struts? Should I go to non-adjustable KYB? Gabriel? Monroe? Koni? I'm not going for low price but instead the best quality and performance. What do you recommend?

I had lowering springs and struts non-adjustable KYB with good tires. It was kinda stiff but it handled great!!!
Click to expand...

I drove down from north of Baltimore to Greenbelt on the BWP.:th_lipssealed1:
I still have the cat back hi flow cat, headers and 1.8 RRs PM me
 
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