LSS - Went on trip with family this weekend and spent some time around the trunk so I finally pulled the trunk mat back and checked on suspension code - F41- yikes, I was figuring because it was still kinda floaty with some body roll maybe it was not F41. New struts would help some maybe but ours are not shot by anymeans. Well, no one said it was a Corvette its a luxury car. Great trip - route 30 up through the Adirondacks - excellent curvy, scenic mountain road.

Are these newer F41 springs variable rate ?

Steve, I have F41 too, and its kinda firm in comparsion to FE1 etc. If you can, see if you can mount a strut bar on the front strut towers. Maybe you already have one...not sure. Have a look to see, maybe your Olds could benefit from one.

Yes it came with a STB, it doesnt handle bad, I was just thinking there was probably one better set up for H body than the Olds came with. When we test drove the car we first drove a LS that we liked and I did notice the suspension was stiffer (on LSS) but not alot. This also got me thinking maybe it was "in the middle" suspension wise. We did not drive hard and were not in area to do so plus salesman was in back seat.

This is why I ask about progressive rate. It seems to be it has initial body roll but then less. This is great for ride/handling compromise but not so good for transitional steering or initial driver confidence.

Im not complaining just surprised. We really most likely would not be happy with a harsh ride. It is afterall a large luxury car by todays standards.

Ive been dreaming of a switch that would engage a extra small coilover shock to front control arms from floating for ride comfort to engaged for serious driving. It probably would add an extra 100 lbs to a car plus there would be a reliability/safty factor. Imagine the thing malfuntioning in the middle of a hard cornering situation. LAWSUIT !!!!!!

Kinda like "shift on the fly" suspension, stiffer more rigid ride under certain driving condition and soft ride on longer journeys. That would be nice.

I've noticed improved handling on cars with shorter springs. Plus it gives you that lowered aggresive look. Not for everyone however. We're you surprised to see the F41 RPO code in the trunk?

What RWD Bonnevilles, if they ever went back to RWD they would be one sweet azz sedan and a nice 5 series killer. I wouldnt mind seeing a mew GP with rwd either, that platform has it in the GTO...

Steve, FWIW, I think I'm going to keep the stock springs on my LSS, switch to KYB GR-2 struts in the front (seems like the current struts are shot), keep the rear load-leveling setup, and put on an Addco rear sway bar (1/8" larger than stock). I don't want to lose the compliance of the suspension, either, but that setup should lose some of the wallow that I currently have and make the handling a little more neutral.

At 85,000 +- now, I'm sure new struts would help. Maybe KYB'* would help that initional roll that makes the left/right transition not the best, I dont know if rear sway bar can help that. It seems to be front end roll. I'll be glad to hear how it works out for you though.

I think it would be nice to lower the car 1.5 but I still cant get used to where that long fornt end ends when parking and it would be close on curbs or mini mart sidewalks when parking. I alway have the car sticking out into the lane a foot farther than everyone else, better safe than sorry. I dont drive it often enough to adapt.

I'm in the same boat - I wouldn't mind lowering about 1", but I have a steep slope to my driveway. I think i would have a problem if I went any lower.

An 1" lower wouldn't be bad, but i don't think it would work too well for me, and my driveway,unless i had the rear lowered a lil more. The rear on my car is a lil higher then the front.. IF i ever get a nice sub box in there to pull it down, that would be nice

I hate to argue... BUT... My riviera is a G-body vehicle and it is front wheel drive. It has "G-Body Riviera/Aurora" stamped on a lot of parts.. also, my mom'* 2000 Bonneville is identical mechanically and chassis wise compared to the riv. if you look under the cars they are identical. everything is setup exactly the same... So I am assuming that the Bonneville is now a G-Body car. I have a video from when the bonneville first came out about how they got a brand new chassis with less flex, etc. I'll have to check the bonneville out and look for those G-Body stampings.