Topic: ZOK conversion from FE3 to ZOK

[Christopher_2]

Reading the Pontiac Solstice Performance book "How to Go Fast and Have Fun". Page 79 lists ZOK parts, I see there is a listing for front and rear lower control arms. Are there different lower control arms when converting a FE3 to ZOK? The part numbers are 15224867/68 and 15224779/80

[Christopher_2]

I think I found an answer to the question. Sounds like all I would need are bushing.

http://www.kappaperformance.com/forum/index.php/topic,1456.msg15144.html#msg15144


control arms are the same but the lower control arm bushings are firmer on the zok (made of harder material) to minimize flex under racing condition.

[Sly Bob]

Great detective work.   

[elff]

Also
The shocks are the same but the springs and both swaybars are different

[Sly Bob]

The sway bars are available from DDM.
http://www.ddmworks.com/SolsticeSky-FE3-ZOk-Sway-Bar-Package_p_146.html

[Christopher_2]

Thank you,
I have those mounted on my car right now, going down to try and get an alignment this afternoon. Using the specs out of the book hopefully. Will see how the guy doing the alignment reacts when I ask him to align to the ZOK specs and show him the book, hopefully I get a smile and sure not a problem. If not I am going to try and explain to him that the car has a different option code for the suspension, it is a ZOK not a FE3 and here are the specs in the book.

Chris

The sway bars are available from DDM.
http://www.ddmworks.com/SolsticeSky-FE3-ZOk-Sway-Bar-Package_p_146.html

[elff]

There is a tool you tool from GM [Kentmore ch-47960]that you need to adjust the alignment to the ZOK specs.
I believe this is for the camber.  Its called a digital angle gauge

[2.4solstice06]

There is a tool you tool from GM [Kentmore ch-47960]that you need to adjust the alignment to the ZOK specs.
I believe this is for the camber.  Its called a digital angle gauge

Yes it should be for the rear caster due too the fact that you can't do a caster swing in the rear. Also, you'd be surprised how few gm dealers have this tool

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[Christopher_2]

Well I left Mills Fleet Farm in Rochester MN after 2.0 hours, the car is not aligned.  The service manager showed me the sheet for alignment, noticed the front caster was in red. I asked why it was not adjusted, he said it was not adjustable. My reply "yes it is would you like me to show you the adjustment?" the next words out of his mouth "Well most people do not care about it anyway" my reply "It has a specification, has an adjustment and you are telling me it does not matter?" his answer "yes".  He asks if I want it put back on the rack and adjusted I said yes. "Let me finish looking at the printout first" next question "Where are the rear caster numbers?" his reply "The rear is not adjustable" my reply "Yes it is, would you like me to show you the adjustment?" he said they can not check it my reply " Why did your service person tell me yes, when I asked if you could perform the complete alignment. I would not have brought the car to you and found a different shop. I still have to take it to another shop and get it aligned" his reply "I will zero out the bill and you can take it to GM" I said "thank you".

I said this very calmly and never raised my voice. Needless to say that was a waste of 2.0 hours of my life. I did not get the printout everything they could measure was in except the caster in the front. It was 8.8° on one side and 8.9° on the other target was 7.75°. Until caster is adjusted then the toe will be out I bet.

[2.4solstice06]

Make sure the dealer or shop you take it to has this special tool, or they will Not be able to measure rear caster accurately

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[SolNut]

There is a tool you tool from GM [Kentmore ch-47960]that you need to adjust the alignment to the ZOK specs.
I believe this is for the camber.  Its called a digital angle gauge

Hey, I have one of those in a drawer somewhere!!! 

[ophidia31]

Even if they couldnt do the full thing, the only purpose of the tool is for rear caster adjusment only. Everything else a normal shop worth their salt should be able to align.

[elff]

This is why it is well worth the moola to have DDM do this for your kappa at the Mod Meet once a year

[Christopher_2]

I am going to buy the tool for future use and find a different shop.

[elff]

So sorry to hear of your bad experience.
Hopefully you can find a better shop

[SolNut]

Where are you @?   

I will entertain a buy offer. 

[Christopher_2]

I just bough tone off of Ebay for $80.00 still in the plastic form a closed GM dealer. Going to take it with me to my next appointment, hopefully the shop can figure it out.

Where are you @?   

I will entertain a buy offer.