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Author Topic: Suspension upgrade  (Read 37329 times)

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Offline Wartie

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #100 on: October 03, 2014, 01:13:20 PM »
Elff has been lowered (new hip) also has the Z0K springs in his car, his truck and I suspect his jeep have trailer hitches, he just barely clears the ground.

Poor Elff, but that clears it up for me!!!!

Offline elff

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #101 on: October 03, 2014, 01:29:44 PM »
Apparently I need to start tying people's shoelaces together again.

Offline Critterman

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #102 on: October 03, 2014, 01:56:05 PM »
Can you reach up that high?
GONE: (but not forgotten) 2006 Cool named BIXABEL (BISH-AH-BEL) Mayan for "Good Roads"

DDM
StageIII intercooled Supercharger, Wisco ceramic coated pistons, Carrillo rods, superTech valves and Springs
Ported and polished head
Exedy Stage II Clutch
big brake kit, slotted/drilled Rotors w/Porterfield pads & blue juice
Backbone, Probeam, Cross Strut Brace
Underhood, trunk, & door Lights
ZOK suspension

JPM
Center console, door inserts, & dash
Seat bolster & lumbar support

Focuztech Tri-Y Header & hi-flow cat
Solo Performance SQR-2
Norm's Rear facia
Heated Seats
Black Cat inserts

Offline Sol Asylum

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #103 on: October 03, 2014, 03:33:19 PM »
Can you reach up that high?

Don't you have Velcro on your shoes?
2007 Aggressive GXP

Offline TomatoSoup

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #104 on: October 03, 2014, 04:32:23 PM »
Don't you have Velcro on your shoes?
You mean, like these?

"That is my theory, it is mine, and belongs to me and I own it, and what it is too." (Monty Python)

Offline Sol Asylum

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #105 on: October 03, 2014, 06:58:20 PM »
Yep
2007 Aggressive GXP

Offline elff

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #106 on: October 03, 2014, 07:22:02 PM »
Are those old peoples shoes?

Offline roxer

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #107 on: October 03, 2014, 09:28:10 PM »
Are those old peoples shoes?

Define "old".  At what age are you suggesting one gets "old"?  :poke:
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport - Still kicking!
2008 Polar Sky Redline - Auto - Fully Loaded
2007 Mysterious Solstice GXP - Current list of Mods

Offline elff

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #108 on: October 03, 2014, 09:51:39 PM »
At Critters age
Muhahahahaha

Offline Sol Asylum

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #109 on: October 04, 2014, 12:48:08 AM »
Damn that's a pretty high benchmark.
2007 Aggressive GXP

Offline roxer

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #110 on: October 05, 2014, 09:27:18 PM »
Finished the DDM brace bundle install and Z0K swaybar/spring installs.  Other than feeling like I got beat with a baseball bat, it went very well. Dropping the exhaust to change out the rear sway bar was the biggest obstacle. Everything else was cheese.

I was suprised the ride was not harsh and the car felt tighter and more controllable. Nice not being beaten to death just to have a more responsive car.  Wife didn't notice a major change in ride. New tires will make it great.  I'll drive it around until Wednesday and then get the Z0K alignment. I got the half inch drop immediately.  Makes the car look so much better. Just have to control the speed bump issue.

Thanks to GJ for the how to and others for their input and advise.  Overall really happy with the upgrade.
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport - Still kicking!
2008 Polar Sky Redline - Auto - Fully Loaded
2007 Mysterious Solstice GXP - Current list of Mods

Offline elff

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #111 on: October 05, 2014, 09:55:49 PM »
Glad to hear you are happy with it.  It really is a great setup for our cars.

Offline Robotech

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #112 on: October 06, 2014, 02:07:04 AM »
Finished the DDM brace bundle install and Z0K swaybar/spring installs.  Other than feeling like I got beat with a baseball bat, it went very well. Dropping the exhaust to change out the rear sway bar was the biggest obstacle....

Thanks to GJ for the how to and others for their input and advise.  Overall really happy with the upgrade.

Glad to hear you like it and got it installed. A little trick I learned for the exhaust was to put a little grease on the metal tabs so that the rubber hangers slide on and off of them easier...then wipe them all down when you're done.  Makes those things a LOT easier.

Offline roxer

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #113 on: October 06, 2014, 09:30:24 AM »
Glad to hear you like it and got it installed. A little trick I learned for the exhaust was to put a little grease on the metal tabs so that the rubber hangers slide on and off of them easier...then wipe them all down when you're done.  Makes those things a LOT easier.

I figured that out after struggling with if for a wasted 15 min.  :slap:  I sprayed liquid wrench and the ends slid right in - learning moment. With the stage 2 tune, HFC and now suspension upgrades, seems like the car runs and drives like it should have from the factory.  The majority of engine lug is gone and it doesn't feel as spongy and drifts less - especially after hitting a dip in the road.

This board has been awesome and very helpful with information. Only thing I hate is seeing new mods show up! Just shows me I have a long row to hoe. Engine bay is next me thinks - charge pipes and other thingys.
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport - Still kicking!
2008 Polar Sky Redline - Auto - Fully Loaded
2007 Mysterious Solstice GXP - Current list of Mods

Offline Billablehours

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #114 on: October 06, 2014, 10:01:04 PM »
I used a good bit of silicone spray on the hangers.  Made them more supple and plyable.  No need to wipe it off either.
I am also surprised each time I drive the car after the bundle install.  Not harsh at all.  Amazing how solid the car feels now. The flex from before the install is gone.  It does feel like it should have from the start. Feels like some of my prior German cars except more fun!

Offline wspohn

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #115 on: October 07, 2014, 10:59:49 AM »
Only thing I hate is seeing new mods show up! Just shows me I have a long row to hoe. Engine bay is next me thinks - charge pipes and other thingys.


Try the new short throw shifter.  Very nice!
2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
1958 MGA Twincam (race car)
1962 MGA Deluxe Coupe
1957 Jamaican bodied MGA
1971 Jensen Interceptor
2007 BMW Z4M coupe
Recently sold:
1969 MGC roadster,
1965 Jensen CV8,
1969 Lamborghini Islero S
1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
Bill in BC

Offline roxer

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #116 on: October 07, 2014, 12:26:39 PM »
Try the new short throw shifter.  Very nice!

Great idea!  So do you feel a "binding" sometimes when you shift?  :drive:  I get that from time to time. My Fiero shifter was awesome - a little clunky, but smooth for what it was.  I get more of the mechanical feel with this shifter - not so smooth. Maybe an issue with mileage?  I have ~ 28K on it right now. Does the short throw help eliminate that?
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport - Still kicking!
2008 Polar Sky Redline - Auto - Fully Loaded
2007 Mysterious Solstice GXP - Current list of Mods

Offline wspohn

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #117 on: October 08, 2014, 11:27:14 AM »
Great idea!  So do you feel a "binding" sometimes when you shift?  :drive:  I get that from time to time. My Fiero shifter was awesome - a little clunky, but smooth for what it was.  I get more of the mechanical feel with this shifter - not so smooth. Maybe an issue with mileage? 

I only have 8000 miles  on my car and am always very easy on shifters and the notchiness was always there - just not as smooth shifting as the Fiero was, which is ironic given that a rear/mid engine location normally entails some shifting issues.

The shorter throw shifter (NOT a shorter shift lever) means that you only have to move your hand maybe half as far as stock to shift and the notchiness is there, but now for some reason doesn't bother me as much.

It is a very well executed kit and can be installed in a half hour even by a non-mechanic, but I'd caution you that the set screw holding the top of the stock shifter on the lower stub can be VERY tight.  I had to exert every ounce of grunt using a box end to give additional lever to get mine to crack free.  I actually put a 30 deg. twist into the hardened steel Allen key (I was lucky it bent and didn't snap, or I might have buried my fist in the radio!.

I'd recommend that you have a special socket with the right Allen key pattern available - you can buy them at tool shops.
2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
1958 MGA Twincam (race car)
1962 MGA Deluxe Coupe
1957 Jamaican bodied MGA
1971 Jensen Interceptor
2007 BMW Z4M coupe
Recently sold:
1969 MGC roadster,
1965 Jensen CV8,
1969 Lamborghini Islero S
1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
Bill in BC

Offline roxer

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #118 on: October 08, 2014, 01:05:44 PM »
Thanks wspohn.  Thought it was me. It is annoying sometimes when I want to speed shift and I hit a "notch". Shifting normally it does fine - I usually change slowly around 2K rpms when driving for gas mileage.  I'll snag that and hope it helps eliminate or lessen my problem.

On another note - I wonder what the Fiero would be now with the 2.0L engine we have in the GXP.  Oh the possibilities...
2002 Isuzu Rodeo Sport - Still kicking!
2008 Polar Sky Redline - Auto - Fully Loaded
2007 Mysterious Solstice GXP - Current list of Mods

Offline DaveOC

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #119 on: October 08, 2014, 02:52:08 PM »
I only have 8000 miles  on my car and am always very easy on shifters and the notchiness was always there - just not as smooth shifting as the Fiero was, which is ironic given that a rear/mid engine location normally entails some shifting issues.

Don't forget that your Solstice has a manual transmisson that started out in a truck.  A little bit of notchiness might be expected.  :D
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Offline wspohn

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #120 on: October 09, 2014, 09:08:55 AM »
On another note - I wonder what the Fiero would be now with the 2.0L engine we have in the GXP.  Oh the possibilities...

I can tell exactly - I ran my 88 GT for a couple of decades with a 300 bhp engine I built for it!

I've told the Fiero crowd about the LNF but I think they are too cheap - they seem to want to use 20 year old American engines they can find for next to nothing.
2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe
1958 MGA Twincam (race car)
1962 MGA Deluxe Coupe
1957 Jamaican bodied MGA
1971 Jensen Interceptor
2007 BMW Z4M coupe
Recently sold:
1969 MGC roadster,
1965 Jensen CV8,
1969 Lamborghini Islero S
1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
Bill in BC

Offline Robotech

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Re: Suspension upgrade
« Reply #121 on: October 09, 2014, 07:32:12 PM »
The Fiero was a V6, yea?  I know some folks who put the Series II 3800 Supercharged motors in those cars...that will wake it up even more than a LNF if the 3800 is properly done.

 

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