Topic: GMPP Suspension

[Chemist]

I'm following an eBay auction for the GMPP suspension kit for the (base) Solstice. If it is still there next Wednesday, I will most likely buy it.

My good friend Stuck says this is a mod I will really appreciate. Do any of you other members here have experience with this suspension kit?

Thanks.

--Chemist

[lil goat]

There are 2 levels of the GMPP kit for the GXP, don't have definitive answer on the exactly what is what. I have the Sport suspension, I know my car is lower than some other GXP's I have seen, a dealer installed upgrade, then there is the Z0K (also known as the Club Sport), which is usually a factory installed upgrade but can be dealer installed. The shocks are the same for both kits on the GXP, the springs may be the same, not sure but I know the Z0K has a different differential brace than stock, not sure if that is part of the sport package or just the club sport package. Are you confused now, I know I am. I think for the NA the GMPP set up is the same as the sport package. With the backbone and Pro beam should work really well.

[snaponbob]

I'm following an eBay auction for the GMPP suspension kit for the (base) Solstice. If it is still there next Wednesday, I will most likely buy it.

My good friend Stuck says this is a mod I will really appreciate. Do any of you other members here have experience with this suspension kit?

Thanks.

--Chemist

The GMPP suspension that is being offered keeps popping up from time to time. Here is how the different suspensions are laid out;

-Base Solstice has, naturally, the base (FE2) suspension.
-Pontiac offers, as a factory option, the Z0K code option. It is a bare bones Solstice (NO options) except limited slip rear, an upgraded suspension package (firmer, shorter springs, non-adjustable Bilsteins tuned to the spring rate, and firmer front and rear sway bars), and ABS. The sway bars and spring RATES are the same as the rates on the GXP, but the GXP springs are the same length as the base springs. 
-GXP is the 2.0 turbo version with F41 code suspension (springs, bars, and shocks as described above) with a much higher content level.
-Pontiac offers the Z0K code for the GXP, but is NOT the same package as the Z0K on the 2.4 (and that is where confusion can set in). THIS Z0K package has springs and sway bars approximately 20% firmer than the FE3 parts, and again the springs are shorter. Also, the rear frame cross member is reinforced.
-The GMPP suspension package has sway bars, springs and shocks VERY close (if not the identical) to the F41 suspension and will improve the handling of the base Sol or Sky. It might lower the car a bit, but not much. (I believe I am correct on the suspension height, but not 100% sure.) BOTH Z0K packages will drop the car about 1.5 inches.

That said, the seller says the springs are firmer than the FE3 springs and that is the first time I have read that. These packages have been around since summer 2006 so there is some history. Some have said that the shocks are the SAME as the FE3 items. MOMSOL may be able to use her "deep" contacts to confirm or contradict what I have said. Her information is quite good. Given that the starting price is $650 and is offered for seven days, you may want to put it on your watch list. Also, ask just about anybody with a GXP or Sky Redline about the ride quality and you should here that it is only a bit firmer and actually better as the car is not as bouncy. Having swapped shocks and bars more than a few time on my Redline, a good mechanic should be able to do all of the work in about 3-4 hours. A dealership will probably charge you their flat rate charges for all the tasks, and will cost a FORTUNE. (NOT a slam on dealerships, but they charge higher labor rates and GM's declared labor time.)

[Chemist]

Thanks for the good info!

I've got the auction on "watch" and have a really good shop I can take it to here for the install. It is the alignment after the fact that I am a bit concerned about. My good technician left when my dealership (in a small town about 15 miles form my house) closed last month. I am all but sold on getting this, just seeking some more input (which you were so kind to provide ).

[snaponbob]

Thanks for the good info!

I've got the auction on "watch" and have a really good shop I can take it to here for the install. It is the alignment after the fact that I am a bit concerned about. My good technician left when my dealership (in a small town about 15 miles form my house) closed last month. I am all but sold on getting this, just seeking some more input (which you were so kind to provide ).

Talk to some independent alignment shops or other dealerships about the alignment. Believe it or not, my Saturn store will throw any alignment under my car I want for $70. That is their alignment rate, not a "deal"! I quick looking after just about all the other independents either wouldn't go outside factory specs (liability) or didn't KNOW how to use their alignment machines to just deal with raw data (ignorance).

That said, this will set some people's hair on fire. Even though all four tie rod ends will need to be disconnected and the front lower ball joints will need to knocked loose (I have yet to do the front shocks any other way) ONLY the toe in/out will need to be adjusted if you'll accept a bit of negative camber increase if the car sits lower. Been there done that!!!!!!! But, to get the toe set and thrust angle verified, you're going to pay for a full alignment anyway. At this point, I have learned to "string" my car and use Longacre Toe Plates to keep the thrust zeroed and toe settings where I want. I have also built skid plates and a camber gauge so my alignment shop expenses have gone to zero. (BTW, I did have my alignment checked after my last major tweak with my own stuff and I was spot on. Better to be lucky than good any time!)

HTH.

[lil goat]

I had my alignment done at the dealer, no one else even wanted to try, they charged a flat $100, and I had them set to the Z0K aggressive driving specs I found on the SCCA website, they told me it took them 4 hours to get it in, but still only $100. The tire wear is perfect and the car is very stable and drifts nicely on occasion.

[Chemist]

I had my alignment done at the dealer, no one else even wanted to try, they charged a flat $100, and I had them set to the Z0K aggressive driving specs I found on the SCCA website, they told me it took them 4 hours to get it in, but still only $100. The tire wear is perfect and the car is very stable and drifts nicely on occasion.

Thanks, l.g. I'll go and grab those specs and see what is what.

(Just grabbed them from a post of yours on the Big Board! Thanks! )

[stuck]

The sway bars and links are the same as the GXP. The shocks are different from both. They lowered my ride about 1/2 inch and the ride is a lot fimer, not just some. It's not S2000 harsh, but you'll feel every bump. I was able to put everything on except the rear sway bar. That was due to ground clearance with it jacked up, since you kinda gotta snake it out of there. If you have access to a lift, you can get it out of there.

Think back to the 1st Kerrville Run when everyone scraped about an inch off the mud gaurds in the whoop section of 335, after the GMPP was installed I was hitting the bottom of the whoops at 65 and didn't scrape a bit. The package is a Good Thing.

[Chemist]

Stuck, that's the exact thing I was needing to hear. I don't mind a stiffer ride on the road if I can drive the road more "spiritedly." Karen had expressed concern about those whoop-de-doos after the GMPP suspension. She was glad to hear this helped rather than hurt. 

[snaponbob]

The sway bars and links are the same as the GXP. The shocks are different from both. They lowered my ride about 1/2 inch and the ride is a lot fimer, not just some. It's not S2000 harsh, but you'll feel every bump. I was able to put everything on except the rear sway bar. That was due to ground clearance with it jacked up, since you kinda gotta snake it out of there. If you have access to a lift, you can get it out of there.

Think back to the 1st Kerrville Run when everyone scraped about an inch off the mud gaurds in the whoop section of 335, after the GMPP was installed I was hitting the bottom of the whoops at 65 and didn't scrape a bit. The package is a Good Thing.

Trust this, the springs are what gave you the slightly lower and stiffer ride. Bottom line, the package works well. Enjoy the handling, and don't forget to get the front and rear toe checked, because if they are "off" that will chew up the tires.

[Chemist]

Trust this, the springs are what gave you the slightly lower and stiffer ride. Bottom line, the package works well. Enjoy the handling, and don't forget to get the front and rear toe checked, because if they are "off" that will chew up the tires.

Understood. At present, I plan to have Dr. Dave do the install and the alignment at the Texas Mod Meet in April. I'm just needing to buy them now because I can get the great deal.