Thread: help me choose struts and springs 2001 Grand Prix GTP

Originally Posted by CHI2000GTP

Lol. No problem. Definitely cheapo depot struts. spazz seems to be the resident suspension expert on here. Maybe you'll get more input.

$hit bro, did I tell you I expertly sell reliable used cars for a somewhat great price on Tuesdays too? Honestly, I worship your literal alley mechanic skills.
Anywayz
You know it all depends on what you want to spend Life
The FE3s ( from 04-05 ) are still available and are a good strut. They might be listed under GXPs to.
I did have a problem with the rears on SSCs and went to Bilstein rears.
They (FE3) are reasonably priced for a better strut.

I am no expert just a guy who has read a metric $hit ton of reviews. I new what I wanted and bought it after research.
The CompG I have had FE3s stock before I bought new ones for the SSC lowering springs I bought. I knew what to relatively expect.

The ride ain't no fckin Lincoln or Caddi but it rides tight and my roads are not all that bad, snow or not.

If you are going stock springs just buy the ExcelGs, they do have a fairly good rep. If you are lowering, honestly then it is pretty much a crap shoot on W-bodys.
Hope that helps a little since most guys that like to talk strut damping and progressive/linear spring rates are driving more important vehicles now....geesh

Originally Posted by spazzz

Hope that helps a little since most guys that like to talk strut damping and progressive/linear spring rates are driving more important vehicles now....geesh

Now you're embarrassing me
I do have a "more important" vehicle, a 2004 Mercury Marauder. Got a new engine for it, and supercharger kit. Some assembly required. It's cooling off here now in sunny California, so working in the garage isn't purgatory and hopefully I'll be back to driving a real car soon enough (no offense to my W-body friends).

But my suspension experience prompts me to at least spend money on the right parts. It's going to cost to fix this thing up, I may as well choose the right struts and springs. My son will hopefully be able to drive it through the last couple years of high school and maybe through college.

I don't want to lower the car from stock, although I thought the GTP was lower than the rest of the W-bodies from the factory, BICBW. I am fine with slightly firmer springs, so long as struts with increased damping are available. In know from experience how awful stiffer springs work with stock struts.

Could I impose on you to point me in the right direction as far as year/model crosses, and maybe some part numbers? It sounds like My 2001 can use later model struts (your FE3 example), but this does not seem to be reflected in the online parts catalog. The only non-parts-store shocks I can find are KYB, but you mentioned running Bilsteins, which I have always liked. Are the FE3s an OEM part from GM, all four corners? Would I get the factory springs also? Will they produce the same ride height the GTP has now?

Thanks for you help. Maybe you can spare me a ton of reading.