shocks and struts

[AVIDMOTION]

I am looking for new struts and shocks for the G8 GT. I dont want Koni's or other top of the line stuff. I do want better then stock. I used to run Gr-2 by KYB on other cars and they were a affordable alternative to stock with about 20 % more performance. I would like to do the same or better with the G8. Any suggestions?

[Napalm]

I would suggest monroe sensa trac or their reflex action line as a possible standard replacement.

Otherwise I would get some stock GXP parts. They fit fine and will work better. Not so much stiffer, but they are progressive.

[Eidolon]

^ +1

Even better, Greg@WasSlow carries the GXP strut/absorber package (http://wasslow.com/WAS92217535-G8GXPCompleteStrut/AbsorberPackage.aspx), and it's quite affordable!

[BLKG8]

Thats a good price.

[SpeedRacerX]

Based on what you described - GXP kit from Greg at wasslow.

It's going to be hard to find something "better" than the stock GT stuff without spending a lot more money and/or time to research, find, gather, cobble, maybe some drilling or cutting, etc.

There's GT stuff at..... < the GXP stuff.
There's GXP stuff at.....$340

Then there's all your other options from $500/$600 ON UP to $1000++!

[DVDDave]

I did the GXP shocks and struts, works good for me.....

[AVIDMOTION]

Are the GXP stuff an actual "upgrade" to the GT stuff? What does it do....lower the car, ride harder, bounce, or feel the same?..... I have but two things in life I always do-1). never go backwards in life 2). always put "better" on my car when the possibility arises. I been looking at all options, of course the GXP option is priced right, but is it "better"?
thanks for the input and the suggestions...

[skinsfangreg]

The Gxp will not lower the car without lowering springs. I believe they will actually raise the rear a tiny bit since the Gxp sits slightly higher (.5"-1" I believe). It is an upgrade since the Gxp stuff is gas filled (OEM GT is not) but certainly not a huge difference. I was having the same dilemma some months ago and ended up going with the Pedders GSR setup with Pedders lowering springs. I'm happy I spent the additional money and absolutely LOVE the improved handling. I would recommend watching for Pedders fall sale and taking advantage of the up to 50% off deal. Certainly not saying you wouldn't be upgrading with the Gxp but the Pedders is a big improvement over stock and the Gxp is minor improvement. wasslow.com has great prices on the Gxp setup and the customer service and shipping are phenomenal!

[BluYa76]

I put the GXP swap on almost a year and half ago and it does have a nice improvement. It won't raise the rear, but will raise the front by .5" or slightly under an inch. I did this mainly for a stiffer ride but still keeping the daily driver feel without any bone jarring bumps. I'm completely happy with the setup, and won't see myself spending more on a Pedders as I'm not into road racing. If you do decide to go with the GXP setup hit Greg up for the rear GXP springs as they are a different part number. As far as what the difference is, I'm not sure since mine are still sitting in the garage waiting to be installed.

[DVDDave]

I put the GXP swap on almost a year and half ago and it does have a nice improvement. It won't raise the rear, but will raise the front by .5" or slightly under an inch. I did this mainly for a stiffer ride but still keeping the daily driver feel without any bone jarring bumps. I'm completely happy with the setup, and won't see myself spending more on a Pedders as I'm not into road racing. If you do decide to go with the GXP setup hit Greg up for the rear GXP springs as they are a different part number. As far as what the difference is, I'm not sure since mine are still sitting in the garage waiting to be installed.

Tim, I am with you on the GXP setup. My car is a DD to and I don't mind having the front raised just a bit this way I will not FUBAR my front bumper again on a curb, haven't done so with the GXP struts. I am also thinking about the rear springs, probably a bit more firm and maybe it will raise the rear just a little to off set the front ??

[Todasi]

I love my Monroe Sport GT shocks and Eibach springs. The shocks are under $700 and I would say they are a good 20-25% increase over stock, I was a little nervous of buying what I consider cheap shocks you buy for your late-model beater, but these were designed for our car and have to be shipped from down under.

[locrzn#92]

Where did you buy your monroes?

[Todasi]

I wanted to buy them from Crazy Paul, but he said he can't ship them, so he sent me to JHP.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pjsadler/
http://www.jhp.com.au/g8partsdirect/

[BluYa76]

Tim, I am with you on the GXP setup. My car is a DD to and I don't mind having the front raised just a bit this way I will not FUBAR my front bumper again on a curb, haven't done so with the GXP struts. I am also thinking about the rear springs, probably a bit more firm and maybe it will raise the rear just a little to off set the front ??

Yeah I'm hoping that the rear GXP springs will help offset my front wheel gap too. The wheel gap in the front got even worse after my lower control arm install.

[texn884]

Ya that is what I don't want is more wheel well gap. I want to go just a tad lower at all 4 corners to take out some of that ugly gap, :(

[BLKG8]

What do you think about Lovells Eliminators ? Iv been thinking about getting those.

[texn884]

How much do those run?

[DVDDave]

Yeah I'm hoping that the rear GXP springs will help offset my front wheel gap too. The wheel gap in the front got even worse after my lower control arm install.

I really don't see the wheel gap all that bad.....Tim, you saw my car at the drive last June, and so did many others, even with 20" Camaro wheels everyone liked the way my car looked and no one thought the wheel gap was all that bad....I had my lower control arms replaced before I did the GXP Struts FWIW.....

[locrzn#92]

The strut shouldn't affect the wheel gap, thats gonna be in the springs unless the strut has an off set like the lovell's do. If your strut bushings are worn out and collapsed you might see a height increase with the new bushing.

[BLKG8]

How much do those run?

Just less then $750 shipped for the front and rear. Struts and shocks only.

[SpeedRacerX]

Once again OP, depends on what you want to spend. Seems like unless you want to spend $650-700+, the only option is the GXP gear. Will they be "better?" The people chiming in who have them think so. There's many more too. I haven't heard anyone say they didn't like their GXP upgrade.

As far as a Pedders or other solution being better and the buyer loving that decision....anything over our stock stuff has to be/feel better and it should for $650-$700 to $1000 to $3000+!

For what the OP is asking, it would be awesome if someone experienced both the GXP upgrade on the GT and another higher-end upgrade so the result difference versus cost difference could be compared.

For example, I have even heard from someone who couldn't wait to get the Pedders stuff off their car and put the GXP stuff on. Suspension is going to be soooo personal, even without the money factor.

[Napalm]

So GXP struts raise the front end, stock measurement to stock measurement?

or is this because when it was done the front mount bushes were collapsed and thus replaced?

[Napalm]

I ask because everything I read says the GXP strut is the same as the GT strut with a progressive valve instead of a standard valve and a higher pressure gas charge.

[Eidolon]

The GXP springs actually slightly raise the whole car. At least, I assume it's the springs. I'm guessing they're just slightly stiffer, which results in a slightly higher ride height. I really don't like the gap. GXP struts + Eibach or H&R springs could be a good combo.

[SpeedRacerX]

I can remember plenty of measurements members took when all these cars were new and the GXPs sat higher.

[Eidolon]

I can remember plenty of measurements members took when all these cars were new and the GXPs sat higher.
Right, so either the strut mounts are different; the struts are physically longer; or else the GXP springs are the same length as the GT springs but are stiffer, resulting in a higher ride height. I'm guessing it's the third option. I've parked my GXP beside enough GT's at meets, now, to be able to see by visual comparison that, yup, mine sits higher.

[greggy]

I believe the GXP FE3 shocks are gas charged. The FE2 are not. The gas charged strut will lift the front end about .5 to .75". The front springs for both are identical. The rear end does not get as much of a lift due to the shock, because of the positioning of the shock. It is further inboard of the wheel thus has less leverage to lift the car.

I think the spring seat is the same for all.

It can take up to 200 lbs. of force to compress the gas charged shock.

[Napalm]

front end of the car weighs what again. approximately 1900 lbs. so that struts would have to lift that.

NO. I bet because of the wheel wells, the struts have a higher spring perch. From what I read, those GXP springs are the same part number for the fronts. might be different on the rears though.

[BluYa76]

front end of the car weighs what again. approximately 1900 lbs. so that struts would have to lift that.

NO. I bet because of the wheel wells, the struts have a higher spring perch. From what I read, those GXP springs are the same part number for the fronts. might be different on the rears though.

You're correct on that. The front springs are the same between GXP vs GT, but the rear springs are different.

[Napalm]

if the springs are the same then the perch must be different, maybe to accommodate the rims (not sure why though). The gas charged strut isn't holding up the car. (based on the weight of the front, vs the size of the strut piston and the required PSI to hold up that weight)

[greggy]

not holding it up.... adding a tiny bit to the spring rate... and without shorting the spring lenght it will raise the car slightly.

what's so hard to believe. If you add pressure to the tires the car goes up a little. If you add pressure to a shock...the car goes up a little.

[Napalm]

Typically even with gas pressurized struts (dampers) the car springs hold the weight of the car. no engineer would rely on strut pressure to set the ride height of a vehicle when calculating dynamics.

Also. to hold up 950 lbs (approximate 1/4th the weight of a 3800 lbs car), with a .75 inch diameter piston would require. 950 lbs/(0.375^2*3.1415) = 2150 PSI. of pressure in that strut.

No way in hell they are charged that much. And I assume a 3/4 inch diameter piston, which I think is too big.

So that begs the question. How much higher up is it?

[SpeedRacerX]

if the springs are the same then the perch must be different, maybe to accommodate the rims (not sure why though). The gas charged strut isn't holding up the car. (based on the weight of the front, vs the size of the strut piston and the required PSI to hold up that weight)

I don't think it's that. Same size rims could be had on the GT with Sport option. GXP and GT 19" rims/tires...same heights.

[greggy]

Typically even with gas pressurized struts (dampers) the car springs hold the weight of the car. no engineer would rely on strut pressure to set the ride height of a vehicle when calculating dynamics.

Also. to hold up 950 lbs (approximate 1/4th the weight of a 3800 lbs car), with a .75 inch diameter piston would require. 950 lbs/(0.375^2*3.1415) = 2150 PSI. of pressure in that strut.

No way in hell they are charged that much. And I assume a 3/4 inch diameter piston, which I think is too big.

So that begs the question. How much higher up is it?

The shock pressure is acting like a small spring in parallel with the front coil spring. This will give a slight lift. Idon't get why you think I'm saying that the shock holds up the front end.

[Napalm]

So what is the actual ride height difference between the GXP and the GT?

[greggy]

my dad has a gt with 18's, my gxp has 19's.

1/2" to 3/4" higher for the gxp.

[SpeedRacerX]

my dad has a gt with 18's, my gxp has 19's.

1/2" to 3/4" higher for the gxp.

And it doesn't matter for ride height. They are the same diameter tires. The 245/45-18 = 245/40-19 = 26.7" dia.


We measured this 2 years ago. GXP sits at least .5" higher than GT.

[greggy]

Yes static unloaded diameter of 18's and 19's are the same. This not take into account tire pressure or tire construction (sidewall flex). Even tread depth can make a 1/4" difference. Tires are a factor depending on where you measure from.

If you measure from the center of the hub to the lip of the fender then tires and wheels do not matter. Hell, even camber can add to overall ride height a bit.

[desertg8]

I thought my gt sat a little low for my tastes. the curbs thought so too. so i went with 245 45 19s. continental all season dws . light weight tires and the extra half inch on the bottom and on the top filled out the wheel well better. plus a slightly softer ride. but that is just me. i know alot of you guys like to lower your car.

[Napalm]

aren't you supposed to measure from the outside of the rim lip to the edge of the fender lip.

I'm surprised pedders doesn't post measurements.

[GT Drew]

Did anyone open the hood to see if the strut mounts were colapsed on either vehicle. Since the GXP came out at the end of 2009. It's mounts may have not colapsed. Does the FE3 suspension use a different strut mount.

[jcmGT]

pedders provide reference measurement for gt in their install documents which can be downloaded.

In my case, with 19"wheels, I went with 625 front, 620 back for two reasons:
- that is the lowest I can go and still get both my floor jacks under it with driving on boards
- I like the look, in between slammed and stock

[AVIDMOTION]

Time for struts again. I ended up putting GXP FE3 struts and shocks on. Like them fine. Now 80, 000 miles later they are getting a little worn. I am keeping the stock Springs which still measure out to stock measurement so they are still good. Are the GXP still the best bang for the buck or are there other struts now for our cars. Where is best deal on GXP combo? Thanks for all opinions

[BuildItYourSelf]

A guy on Facebook is selling a ready to go Konica setup for $700.
His name is 2lazy4agoodname.
Or Jay on the g8 classifieds.
I will let him know your looking. It's a great deal and Koni are very good.

[2lazy4agoodname]

Tried to send you a pm but the box was full. Sent you an email. :D

[WhatNext]

Caprice PPV and Severe Duty PPV are both available for about $250 a set. My best guess is that the Severe Duty PPV are just rebranded Caprice PPVs. They are available from Amazon and Rockauto. I have the Caprice PPV on my GT.

Another best guess is that the PPVs are similar to Fe3s but no direct comparison has surfaced on either boards.

[BuildItYourSelf]

I would assume the ppv and servere duty have much stiffer dampening to be used with stiffer springs because the cop car has lots of added weight and needs better performance with said weight to subdo fuckos breaking the law. And most severe duty models are made to last longer. That means more robust components or design that typically is a compromise to performance.
Yes they are cheaper but I think the dampening isn't a good match for stock rate springs. Maybe with the stiff ppv style or aftermarket springs they are a little better but likely to much.

[WhatNext]

I would assume the ppv and servere duty have much stiffer dampening

No they're not. The PPV are tighter than the Fe2 with 25k that I replaced but not by a whole lot. More initial resistance which also carries through the stroke. It's that initial resistance that one could say is added harshness but after the PPVs broke in I think you would only notice it if you did a side by side comparison with a worn set of struts and shocks. The PPVs are also wife approved (She didn't notice a difference, front seat). Note I have stock springs.

And it's that added dampening both initial and through the stroke that gives the buttoned down feel to the suspension (instead of float and wallow). I hope the Police Pursuit Vehicle label also translates to more robust components and longer life.

Hope this helps folks decide.

[BuildItYourSelf]

You just described a stiffer dampener. That "tighter" internal resistance is caused by a stiffer valve spring and possibly thicker fluid.

Also our cars are heavy. A slight difference in "by the seat feel" is a significant change in the actual dampener. We have just under 1100lb front corner weight with no mechanical advantage being a strut. That's twice a Honda duel arm setup.

[WhatNext]

Yes the PPVs are stiffer, you want to call it a whole lot more? OK. Does it make a G8 uncomfortable? No.

[BuildItYourSelf]

"much stiffer" I guess anyone can take that as how they want. The rears are said to have more of a change then the front because of the added weight In the back in the cop car. Gear, cage and what not.
Never said anything about comfort.