W body noob

[Performance nut]

Hey all. I've owned my 2008 Grand Prix GT for years now and honestly, I'm looking to make it handle better. I browsed around the forum and saw some stickies that answered some questions but a few remain. It seems the 2008 is a real oddball and what works for older models may not work on my car. So, I figured I would be very specific and ask about the 2008.

Tower braces seem like a great start as do the addition of better sway bars. If that works out, I'd like to look into ugrading further, like coil over struts. The sticky at the top rated braces and sway bars very high and the write up was exactly what I'm looking for. So my questions are 1) which size sway bars work well for a 2008 and 2) are there problems with these upgrades (need additional mods, very hard to find parts for 2008, need to remove x to install y, etc). Thank you all for your advice.

 

[matt5112]

STB should be last on your list unless you're looking for very mild changes.

 

[Tuner-Extraordinaire]

stb's are awesome.

 

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

You wont even notice a STB, if you have upgraded sways and better struts.

STB are just as pointless as rockers in most cases.

 

[Performance nut]

You wont even notice a STB, if you have upgraded sways and better struts.

STB are just as pointless as rockers in most cases.

Good to hear. What sways are recommended for 2008 and what struts have best performance? There are a few choices (not many) but best to do it once.

 

[matt5112]

dorman front bar and addco rear.

GMPP set is smaller and hollow, but significantly cheaper.

AGX struts or bilsteins.

Bilsteins are better, but once anyone sees the price, they bail.

 

[Odi]

except you. awesome uber $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ shocks but dirty cheapo brakes.

 

[Performance nut]

except you. awesome uber $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ shocks but dirty cheapo brakes.

I'm sorry, I don't follow.

 

[matt5112]

I bought bilstein HD struts.

Then spent just over $100 on pads and rotors all around.

 

[Performance nut]

dorman front bar and addco rear.

GMPP set is smaller and hollow, but significantly cheaper.

AGX struts or bilsteins.

Bilsteins are better, but once anyone sees the price, they bail.

Holy price tags batman. I never remember Bilsteins being so damn expensive. Wow... and the ones I'm looking at aren't even adjustable. Bilstein 35-153153 - Bilstein Heavy-Duty Series Shocks and Struts - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

[Performance nut]

I bought bilstein HD struts.

Then spent just over $100 on pads and rotors all around.

Well, I certainly hope those practically drive themselves around the corners. Then again, some complete systems are over $1000 so...

 

[matt5112]

over one?

You mean over 5 right?

Hell, factory GM mag struts are worth 2 a piece.

Most jump ship on the factory mag system when one fails and opt for something like Pfadt coilovers. They start at 2 a set and work up to over 5.

But this is where you have to seriously consider if a W body is really worth it.

 

[Performance nut]

over one?

You mean over 5 right?

Hell, factory GM mag struts are worth 2 a piece.

Most jump ship on the factory mag system when one fails and opt for something like Pfadt coilovers. They start at 2 a set and work up to over 5.

But this is where you have to seriously consider if a W body is really worth it.

Right. I can't find the rear sway bar. Looked several places and couldnt find one. The front one was easy to find and not a bad price either.

Edit: This is what I meant by systems over $1000 http://shop.zzperformance.com/store/p/595-Coil-Over-Strut-Package-for-Wbody.aspx

 

[matt5112]

Don't recommend the hardware from the dorman kit.

I'd suggest moog end links and sway bar bushings for a 1.26" sway bar.

Addco 639 - Addco Performance Anti-Sway Bar Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

This is the bar I'm using, AFAIK, the rear sway bars should all be the same.

 

[Performance nut]

Don't recommend the hardware from the dorman kit.

I'd suggest moog end links and sway bar bushings for a 1.26" sway bar.

Addco 639 - Addco Performance Anti-Sway Bar Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

This is the bar I'm using, AFAIK, the rear sway bars should all be the same.

Not to beat a dead horse but will a 2003 sway bar fit a 2008?

 

[matt5112]

Fairly certain it will.

Sway bar links, brackets and bushings appear to be same part number.

TLSheff works at a dealer, perhaps he can check this out for us?

 

[Performance nut]

Sweet, that would be nice to know. Can not find anywhere that lists a rear sway bar for a 2008. Moog only makes front links up to 2003, so knowing if those are different will help as well.

 

[matt5112]

You'll have to go check your vehicle, but there are two front sway bar/LCA designs for the 97-08 cars.

in 04 to sometime in mid 06 they switched from LCA mounted sway bar to strut mounted.

They apparently switched back sometime during 06. Yours should have the old style, but its worth checking.

 

[Performance nut]

I was able to take a pic of the rear sway bar. I'm not sure what the difference is between the 2003 and 2008 rear sway bar is and I'm hoping a picture helps. The Addco bar shows 1998 to 2003 Grand Prix.