i just picked up a set of GXP bilstein stuts for my o6 GP. i was planning on dropping the car with SSC lowering springs. 1.7/1.7 drop... but i heard with the GXP struts you dont get much of a drop with the SSC springs..is this tru if so what are some other good springs i can get that i will see the drop im looking for a 1.5 drop or even the 1.7 drop

Canuck Motorsports, which is in some way affiliated with SSC (you'll have to ask someone else about that), makes a lowering spring specifically for the GXP since they do have Bilsteins that don't give the drop of other struts.

http://www.canuckmotorsports.com/cat_car_domestic.html

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

yep iv heard about that also i see they have a spring set up with a drop 2.5 front and 2 in the back i dont wanna go that low but since i have the GXP struts will it sit higher then that drop?

Check this

appearance-f14/lowered-04-compg-new-pics-t22908.html

This what my 04 looked like with the bilstein/SSC setup on it. I've got more pics if you want to see them.


Straight up I think this is the best setup out there for ride comfort and handling, just make sure you get a set of spacers to get your axles back to the correct geometry.

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Under Construction

that looks really good.. i want mine just like that, is that the 1.7 SSC springs?

Yes .... the springs were for the 97-03 GP (1.7 Drop F&R)

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Under Construction

perfect thanks and the spriings for the 97-03 are the exact same for the 04+ correct?

Yes. They are interchangeable.

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1999 GT|SLP CAI|Borla Catback| Shift kit|18" Koblenz|GMPP Lowering|GMPP handling|Blk Headlights|ER Rcokers|HV3|HV TB http://www.fquick.com/The_Guz

nice thanks for the help

I think the only difference between the two is the spring rate. IIRC the 04+ cars are heavier than the previous model, so the spring rate is different. The same goes for the GXP struts, they were developed for the weight of the V8. Now combining these two works out great, the springs will allow for a little more drop than normal and the struts will have more resistance normal.

Don't forget to get the camber bolts.

Did you get a hold of Vinnie yet? The engine spacers are key to making this setup work without vibration issues.

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Under Construction

oooh ic ic maks sence.. no i didnt order them yet but definitely will be getting them

so i have read that lowering the car will make the C/V joints go out quicker and make stuff wear out faster. is that true? wont a 1.7 drop make it wear out fast? or am i wrong?

i would like to do this also but dont want stuff breaking just for a sweet look.

gotta get the spacers to level it out

oh. well that makes sense. i need to find a complete right up on this one.

yep its somehwere i think there was a post called SSC/ Strut combo a few posts back they explain it well in there

Here's one

viewtopic.php?t=919

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Under Construction

i looked at the topic. it was very helpful. but i dont think i want to lower my car. where i live i would tear the bottom of my car off if it were lower.

so if i replace my shocks and want to keep the stock height do i keep the springs i have or should i buy some new ones seeing as how they have 95000 miles on them? and where would i get them? autozone does not sell them. lol

thanks!

You can keep the old ones, but trust me, if you every decide you want to lower your car the Bilsteins don't let the lowering springs settle to the full 1.7". It's a subtle but noticeable difference and not too low to cause problems.

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

so you say keep the stock springs and get bilstein shocks. and if i ever want to get lowering springs, the bilstein shocks will keep the car from getting so low that i hurt anything because they are stiffer?

Yep.

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

thats great info. to bad they cost like a million dollars each. lol

are bilstein shocks like stock or really firm? because i want really firm

They are firmer than stock, but they aren't REALLY firm. I can't say anything about KYB AGX struts or even the CompG struts, but as best as I can tell they are the firmest available for the GP. Someone might school me on that though.

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

yea, i have been reading post after post and really cant find a good answer. it breaks down like this

bilsteins are good over all and last along time.
AGX are good but pricey, thought i read reviews on sites that sell them that they are not that good.
and i really dont know anything about the compG struts.

but i really want something firm for my car because thats what i like but i dont know what is the best.

If you want something that will make your car ride on rails, you will have to go with coilovers. And those are expensive. It really all depends on the spring. Stock springs are mushy. Aftermarket lowering springs have a bit higher spring rate and coilovers are the stiffest of all.

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2
MODS: Wizaired|Custom DHP Tune|180° Thermostat|DR F/R Brackets w/GMPP STB's|UMI Trailing Arms|Bilstein HDs w/SSC|Projector Retro|Black SPO Grilles and Spoiler|SS Inserts Rear Inlay|ZZP Volt. Booster & Alt Rewire

and if i know my stuff ( which i dont always ) coil overs replace the spring and shock with an all in one package.

but i dont think they sell them for 04+ GP