Suspension buying decsion. (Help!!)

[Hemet8]

As i have stated in the sway bar thread, i have spent considerable funds in the bushing dept, with good sucess. Now it is time for the springs/struts/shocks. I did purchase aan Addco rear sway bar, it is the same as the Bretta's, part # 466 rear. I found out with my build sheet that my '95 Grand Am SE has the "fe2" suspension. Is the "fe3" worth the money? I have ridden in a '95 Grand AM GT and they do handle very well, also looks like they sit about a 1/4" lower than the SE. The cost, even at wholesale is 650.00 for all four "fe3" springs, both front struts, and the rear shocks! My dealership sales my Gm parts at their wholesale, with out that discount they are even more! I do not want to lower the car a whloe lot because it is my only car and in Indiana where i live it snows. I do not have a four wheel drive, so anything over 5 inches and i'm going now where any way. I do not know what my car would look like with the E-Biach springs, plus it makes it sit 1.5" lower, would that mess up the alignment? Where can i find goo, stiff sturts and shocks? All i can find are sensatrac's ( which i now have, they ride ok, just to "floaty") and the KYB GR'2s. Is there any thing eles out there? I also do not want a "level" ride, as i like a gentel "rake" from rear to the front. Any help, suggestions is greatly appreciated!

[SappySE107]

RE: Suspension buying decsion. (Help!!)

The KYB struts are pretty good IMO. Unless you can get or modify a set of koni, bilstein, or tokiko (spelled wrong), struts, I would go with the KYB.

I would hope you can do better than the FE3 springs as well. If you want handling, you gotta deal with it sitting lower. Not really sure what your options are but I personally would use eibach over suspension techniques or the other brand that I can't think of right now:P

[bszopi]

RE: Suspension buying decsion. (Help!!)

If your car is anything like mine (and it probably is, considering they are only a year apart), there is a good chance your stock springs and shocks have lost some of their UMPH and your car is already sitting lower than stock. I currently have Eibach and KYB all around and my car sits maybe 1/2" lower than it did before I installed everything. But the ride and handling is much better. So that would be my recommendation.

[Hemet8]

so, looking at then the E-bach lowering springs and get the gr2's? The price on those are ok. i'll try to find a good shop here and get a labor price. If you guys really think they will out do the "fe3" set-up, then thats the way i am going. Thanks for the help.

[Azrael]

Intrax also makes springs that'll work but have a 2" drop. Eibach is a 1.5" drop in the front a 1" drop in the rear. I think the newer one's are 1.5" front and rear. I also have the Eibach+KYB package and the ride is considerably rougher than stock but the handling is noticeably better.

[Hemet8]

So, what kit is the one that only lowers the rear 1"? I would like the front to sit lower than the rear. I do not want the "same" level look. Should i just call them? Or are they going to try to sell me the "new" kit? I only want really a 1" drop up front and a 1/2" drop at the rear, but i can not find a good set of "stiff" springs (except the fe3's, but they are expensive) that are regular height, then i need to find some one who is willing to heat them for the small drop, not to mention do it properly. I know heating is not the best, but if done right, the old school way works good small amounts, as such that i really seek. The more opions i get on this the better, as i want to spend my money the best way, one time, not over and over agian trying to "find" that right combination. thanks for help all.

[bszopi]

Damn, this picture sucks, but its the only one I can find online right now... I'll need to find some better ones on the computer and show a before and after of my suspension...

[bszopi]

And here is a video of me doing a burnout with the new suspension...

http://www.60degreev6.com/hlperf/burnout.AVI

[Hemet8]

Ssuuuuuweeet! I love watching these engines beat on drivetrains, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

[Azrael]

Sometime last year Eibach changed the specifications for our application. Whether or not they made a 2nd version or simply re-evaluated the existing kit is unknown to me. All I do know was that originally their kit dropped 1.5" in the front and 1" in the rear. It now states on their website as a 1.5" drop in the front and 1.3" in the rear.