2000 SSEI Suspension
The "stiffer" the better. That "stiffness" is your performance suspension. Pontiac are well known for their stiff & tight suspensions. The Buick are known for their "soft" suspensions. This stiff suspension allows you tighter turns in the corners at higher speeds.
I can offer coil-overs, but they are a complete replacement of your struts and coils. They are racing quality and are a total solution. You can also lower or raise the height of your ride with them.
TY
TY
I have a 2002 SSEi. I believe our suspension should be virtually identical. I think the stock suspension offers a great blend of balanced handling and ride quality.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to larger lighter wheels and ultra high performance ties. You will signficantly improve your cornering and handling, with very little if any effect on ride quality.
You should also improve your standing start acceleration. You will have more grip and can put more power to the ground. The car will have slightly less weight and signficantly less rotating mass (wheels/tires). You will see similar improvements in braking due to the additional grip, and lower weight.
I upgraded to ACE 18X8.5 Venus Wheels and 245/45 Michelin Ultra High Performance All Season tires.
The lower profile will preserve the overall wheel/tire diameter. Hence, you will not have to recalibrate the speedometer. You also will not make your overall "gearing" taller, which would slow acceleration. You think of the wheels are the very final gear in your drive train. A larger overall diameter spins less times per engine revolution, giving you less gearing.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to larger lighter wheels and ultra high performance ties. You will signficantly improve your cornering and handling, with very little if any effect on ride quality.
You should also improve your standing start acceleration. You will have more grip and can put more power to the ground. The car will have slightly less weight and signficantly less rotating mass (wheels/tires). You will see similar improvements in braking due to the additional grip, and lower weight.
I upgraded to ACE 18X8.5 Venus Wheels and 245/45 Michelin Ultra High Performance All Season tires.
The lower profile will preserve the overall wheel/tire diameter. Hence, you will not have to recalibrate the speedometer. You also will not make your overall "gearing" taller, which would slow acceleration. You think of the wheels are the very final gear in your drive train. A larger overall diameter spins less times per engine revolution, giving you less gearing.
Just joined and was looking through some old posts. I installed much heavier front and rear sway bars along with polyurethane bushings on my 2000SSEi. Saner Performance Fabrication made them and while the rear was easy and quick, replacing the front bar was a real bear.
As you would expect, there wasn't any difference in straight line driving but in transient situations, I felt that the turn in was noticably quicker.
As you would expect, there wasn't any difference in straight line driving but in transient situations, I felt that the turn in was noticably quicker.
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 1
From: Westerville, Ohio 2000 Black SSEi

Originally Posted by streetracer
I have a 2002 SSEi. I believe our suspension should be virtually identical. I think the stock suspension offers a great blend of balanced handling and ride quality.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to larger lighter wheels and ultra high performance ties. You will signficantly improve your cornering and handling, with very little if any effect on ride quality.
You should also improve your standing start acceleration. You will have more grip and can put more power to the ground. The car will have slightly less weight and signficantly less rotating mass (wheels/tires). You will see similar improvements in braking due to the additional grip, and lower weight.
I upgraded to ACE 18X8.5 Venus Wheels and 245/45 Michelin Ultra High Performance All Season tires.
The lower profile will preserve the overall wheel/tire diameter. Hence, you will not have to recalibrate the speedometer. You also will not make your overall "gearing" taller, which would slow acceleration. You think of the wheels are the very final gear in your drive train. A larger overall diameter spins less times per engine revolution, giving you less gearing.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to larger lighter wheels and ultra high performance ties. You will signficantly improve your cornering and handling, with very little if any effect on ride quality.
You should also improve your standing start acceleration. You will have more grip and can put more power to the ground. The car will have slightly less weight and signficantly less rotating mass (wheels/tires). You will see similar improvements in braking due to the additional grip, and lower weight.
I upgraded to ACE 18X8.5 Venus Wheels and 245/45 Michelin Ultra High Performance All Season tires.
The lower profile will preserve the overall wheel/tire diameter. Hence, you will not have to recalibrate the speedometer. You also will not make your overall "gearing" taller, which would slow acceleration. You think of the wheels are the very final gear in your drive train. A larger overall diameter spins less times per engine revolution, giving you less gearing.
Originally Posted by Rogue
Originally Posted by streetracer
I have a 2002 SSEi. I believe our suspension should be virtually identical. I think the stock suspension offers a great blend of balanced handling and ride quality.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to larger lighter wheels and ultra high performance ties. You will signficantly improve your cornering and handling, with very little if any effect on ride quality.
You should also improve your standing start acceleration. You will have more grip and can put more power to the ground. The car will have slightly less weight and signficantly less rotating mass (wheels/tires). You will see similar improvements in braking due to the additional grip, and lower weight.
I upgraded to ACE 18X8.5 Venus Wheels and 245/45 Michelin Ultra High Performance All Season tires.
The lower profile will preserve the overall wheel/tire diameter. Hence, you will not have to recalibrate the speedometer. You also will not make your overall "gearing" taller, which would slow acceleration. You think of the wheels are the very final gear in your drive train. A larger overall diameter spins less times per engine revolution, giving you less gearing.
My suggestion would be to upgrade to larger lighter wheels and ultra high performance ties. You will signficantly improve your cornering and handling, with very little if any effect on ride quality.
You should also improve your standing start acceleration. You will have more grip and can put more power to the ground. The car will have slightly less weight and signficantly less rotating mass (wheels/tires). You will see similar improvements in braking due to the additional grip, and lower weight.
I upgraded to ACE 18X8.5 Venus Wheels and 245/45 Michelin Ultra High Performance All Season tires.
The lower profile will preserve the overall wheel/tire diameter. Hence, you will not have to recalibrate the speedometer. You also will not make your overall "gearing" taller, which would slow acceleration. You think of the wheels are the very final gear in your drive train. A larger overall diameter spins less times per engine revolution, giving you less gearing.
Streetracer is right on the money. Make sure you have the wheels and tires you want, then if you're not happy, go to Speedguy ( www.domesticperformance.com ) for all your suspension needs. He'* da man.


