Questions about suspension upgrades
05-28-2007, 10:04 PM
#1
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Questions about suspension upgrades
I have a 1995 SLE. I currently need new rear struts at least because the back falls with any weight on it. I am also going to try to replace the fronts at the same time. The rear are going to be Monroe Reflex, and front sensa-trac. The question I had is, I am thinking about new springs for the front. What I want to do is tighten up the front so the car doesn't have as much "up and down" play while braking and/or accelerating. I have a local speed shop that I was going to inquire about this with, but I figured who better to ask about my Bonneville first than the people that have helped me countless times before! Anyone who has any suspension advice, please chime in. Note: I DO NOT and repeat DO NOT care about "luxurious" feel, I want this thing to handle better, I will sacrifice the soft ride. My suspension code currently is FE1. I am also going to do energy suspension endlinks as i've read they are a huge help with our cars.
05-28-2007, 10:40 PM
#2
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you will NOT find the reflex, unless you get lucky on Ebay or something.
You will likely be stuck with Sensa-Trac all the way around, which is still an improvement non the less
You will likely be stuck with Sensa-Trac all the way around, which is still an improvement non the less
05-29-2007, 07:01 AM
#3
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If the back sinks with any weight..consider those springs as well. The front may appear to dip and duck badly.. keep in mind the rear moving has a direction relationship to how the front moves.
From what you say you would like..I'd suggest FE2 springs all the way around, with the air struts in the back to assist. Top that off with Energy Suspension endlinks and you will have one heck of a different feeling car. If you add the FE2 sway bars..that would be a large plus.
From what you say you would like..I'd suggest FE2 springs all the way around, with the air struts in the back to assist. Top that off with Energy Suspension endlinks and you will have one heck of a different feeling car. If you add the FE2 sway bars..that would be a large plus.
05-29-2007, 02:05 PM
#4
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Agreed the FE2 swap is well worth it..
If you are looking to keep the back end up a bit without replacing the springs, the rear air struts will help you out in this situation..
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If you are looking to keep the back end up a bit without replacing the springs, the rear air struts will help you out in this situation..
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05-29-2007, 04:39 PM
#5
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How do I convert to FE2 and where does everyone suggest I get the parts from?
Am I correct in the assumption I need to install the air compressor and all that stuff, if so I'd like to lean towards not doing that if possible, unless its incredibly easy.
By the way, advance auto parts online (partsamerica.com) has the Reflex Monroe'* for the REAR of my car, not the front. So I was figuring doing sensa-trac front, reflex rear. I have a bunch of ideas in the air, including FE2 now...everyone please chime in with whatever helpful information and/or ideas you have.
Am I correct in the assumption I need to install the air compressor and all that stuff, if so I'd like to lean towards not doing that if possible, unless its incredibly easy.
By the way, advance auto parts online (partsamerica.com) has the Reflex Monroe'* for the REAR of my car, not the front. So I was figuring doing sensa-trac front, reflex rear. I have a bunch of ideas in the air, including FE2 now...everyone please chime in with whatever helpful information and/or ideas you have.
06-04-2007, 06:19 PM
#7
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If you do the FE2 upgrade, you will want the 32mm front sway Bar, And new center links for the bar.. The Center links will be McQuay-Norris FA7247, They will be red and are Poly as opposed to rubber..
You will want the 21mm Rear sway bar as well.. The center links will have to come from the donor car unless you get new ones from the dealer..
As for the Rear shocks, if you do not install the ELC at the very least install the Air struts and set the system up manually... You will need and want it...
If the front struts are original go ahead and replace them as well... I do recommend Monroe all the way around... Get new spring rubbers for the front as well..
The rest of the Parts can be found in Bandits thread here
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=article&k=110
I loved the FE2 swap on my 3000 Mile journey... It was worth my $$$
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You will want the 21mm Rear sway bar as well.. The center links will have to come from the donor car unless you get new ones from the dealer..
As for the Rear shocks, if you do not install the ELC at the very least install the Air struts and set the system up manually... You will need and want it...
If the front struts are original go ahead and replace them as well... I do recommend Monroe all the way around... Get new spring rubbers for the front as well..
The rest of the Parts can be found in Bandits thread here
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...=article&k=110
I loved the FE2 swap on my 3000 Mile journey... It was worth my $$$
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06-04-2007, 07:03 PM
#8
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Let'* see if I can attack this a different way...
I am going to replace all the springs and struts, I don't care if it'* FE2 or not, I just want a tougher ride. I have a local speed shop. Has anyone here replaced the springs with just higher "rate" ones (i've been told) and better struts and had the car handle better than stock new? I might want to go beyond FE2 and I don't really like the idea of air in the rear...
What I want to do:
Springs
Struts
Endlinks
If FE2 is the only option, I guess I'll go ahead with that..
I am going to replace all the springs and struts, I don't care if it'* FE2 or not, I just want a tougher ride. I have a local speed shop. Has anyone here replaced the springs with just higher "rate" ones (i've been told) and better struts and had the car handle better than stock new? I might want to go beyond FE2 and I don't really like the idea of air in the rear...
What I want to do:
Springs
Struts
Endlinks
If FE2 is the only option, I guess I'll go ahead with that..
06-04-2007, 07:10 PM
#9
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The springs listed are Higher Rate springs...
Example.... Stock FE1 is 860 Lb load rating... The replacement spring listed is a 1230 Load rated springs.. Its a similar story for the front... The replacement spring there is also a higher load rating..
A lot of us use Energy suspension endlinks...
The springs, Struts larger sway bars and better center links and end links all make for a stiffer riding better handling car...
My only wish now is that I had some High Performance Tires with a rigid sidewall to handle the corners.. at current I have H rated tires with a 400 tread wear rating, and they handle pretty good.. But they could be better..
On the Highway, the car is not overly stiff, but if you get to any road thats other than decently smooth you'll feel like the car is on Rails...
The car rides as stiff as an SSEi
I can understand where you are going with this.. You want a really stiff car... You may be able to do that... There are a few that have had Coil springs custom made.. I forget what company did them... I believe 95nasta would be able to tell you who he used... His springs were custom made as Opposed to the FE2 swap..
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Example.... Stock FE1 is 860 Lb load rating... The replacement spring listed is a 1230 Load rated springs.. Its a similar story for the front... The replacement spring there is also a higher load rating..
A lot of us use Energy suspension endlinks...
The springs, Struts larger sway bars and better center links and end links all make for a stiffer riding better handling car...
My only wish now is that I had some High Performance Tires with a rigid sidewall to handle the corners.. at current I have H rated tires with a 400 tread wear rating, and they handle pretty good.. But they could be better..
On the Highway, the car is not overly stiff, but if you get to any road thats other than decently smooth you'll feel like the car is on Rails...
The car rides as stiff as an SSEi
I can understand where you are going with this.. You want a really stiff car... You may be able to do that... There are a few that have had Coil springs custom made.. I forget what company did them... I believe 95nasta would be able to tell you who he used... His springs were custom made as Opposed to the FE2 swap..
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06-04-2007, 07:12 PM
#10
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Well my car is lowering a good inch with about 100lbs in the back, another 100lbs will drop it far more....What do you think is the problem? (this is in the rear)
