Thread: 2005 Base model getting GXP suspension upgrades...need help choosing springs/mounts.

FIRST POST

Hey guys and Gals,

I am upgrading my suspension for the first time in the history of me owning my 2005 Base model GP. She has 130,000 miles on her and she needs new struts badly. All the way around. So I want to go with the Bilsteins as I want handling and longevity from my parts. I put over $1,000 in the exhaust last year because I want to keep this car. She's my DD and sees a lot of harsh conditions on the road...city driving, highway and pothole central the Atlantic northeast. I'm the second owner...got her when she was about 45,000 miles in 2007, completely stock.


So far I have learned a ton from reading the other member's posts..I've been to this forum many times over the past 5 or so years. Kudos to all the spirited enthusiasts as you have helped me with many fixes and small mods.

MY GOALS:

-Stock ride height (unless you can convince me new mounts and camber bolts are reallllllly worth it)
-Decreased Roll in turns (Dorman 33mm bar and 97-03 LCA's are what I am thinking....for the front at least.)
- Stiff suspension

I have only done suspension work once and it was last year on my mom's 02 Nissan altima...with Monroe Quick struts, new swaybar links and inner/outer tie rods.
I prefer to do the job correctly and safely the first time...torque wrenches, ball joint separators, ect.I am really wanting to get new springs for this upgrade. My stock ones have taken the abuse of worn struts and I might as well get new springs if I'm spending almost $1,000 dollar on struts. which leads me to....

MY QUESTIONS RIGHT NOW:

-What springs would you recommend that give a closest to stock ride height (even oems)?
- What strut mount for the struts?
- I will need strut bellows with these OEM Bilsteins...which P/N is correct for this particular strut?
- Are their any other parts I will need to complete my strut assembly?


I plan on either borrowing a spring compressor or taking the parts to a shop to have them assembled. I Really do not want to lower her...I'm already scraping my downpipe on some speedbumps if i don't inch over them....but this may be from 130,000 miles on my shocks.

Originally Posted by REDCRAPGP

Where are you finding Billsteins at? Let alone for a decent price? I would suggest stock GXP springs in that case if you wanna keep the same height and not lower it.

Thanks for your reply Red.

Well I'm not sure how reasonable it is but the fronts I got on Amazon p/n 505-548 at $237.52 each, and the rears I'm going to get on Rock auto because they are cheaper than Amazon even with prime free shipping, $220.49x2 vs $205.79x2 + shipping. That is about what I have seen other members pay. I wish it we're cheaper but I'm not looking to buy anymore ACDELCO stuff for my car unless it's a bezel or something, and kyb doesn't make monotubes. I love German engineering.

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So yes I'm looking into the GXP springs as you mentioned...on RockAuto the same springs are listed for the 5.3L and the 3.8L...but from what I have read the GXP had different springs on it than the other trims...as seen in the very old thread on clubgp.com "**The Official GXP Wannabe Suspension & Brake Upgrade Thread***" http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.as...mode=1&smode=1

Should I go with the OEM Moogs springs 2x CC670 + 2x CC697 and move on?
Should I go with Moog mounts too?


Thanks,

Stef

Originally Posted by PaintChips97

Update us on how the struts work out for you, once my Comp G struts give out I'm going with those same ones

Sure thing. I just ordered the rear struts off of rock auto. So for the 2 front struts on amazon ($503.56 with tax and free shipping) and the 2 rears on Rock Auto ($411.58 + shipping) the total for all 4 is $924.55.

dang, but I'm sure it will be worth it especially because the Bilsteins are servicable monotubes.

Now I gotta get mounts and springs.....annnnnd wheel hubs/bearings and LCA's....sway bar and tie rods. Bought the big stuff first and I'll be buying the rest of my parts list over the next month or 2 before I start the big job.

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thoughts on reusing spring seat and isolators on new strut assemblies?


-stef

Yeah it would probably be best to get new spring iso/mounts for the struts. They could be slightly warped?


Timken wheel bearings sound great. Made in USA too. Lots of positive reviews on amazon. Good recommendation.

OEM LCA's because of the sealed joint or because it's truly higher quality, or both?

I see that they are cheaper than Moogs too....but the AC Delco has lost some quality lately... Yeah the Dorman sway comes with end links but they have rubber bushings...was thinking about getting the moog end links for the polyurethane bushings. Even the Moog LCA's don't come with poly bushings. So no cost saved by getting moog lca's for that reason.

What about the swaybar bushings....moog problemsolvers there too?

Well got all the struts in and just ordered the 1.7" x 1.7" lowering kit directly from Canuck Motorsports. Going to be ordering mounts and spring iso seats next. LCA's, sway bar and wheelbearings too.