Currently looking to purchase a 2005 Supercharged SS with FE4 suspension package. Hope it will be my first Monte Carlo. Have two 2005 Impala LS - both with FE2 Suspension. Have installed GMPP Handling Upgrade Kit pk12456148 on both for a better ride. Know nothing about the FE4 Suspension. Other than the Strut Tower braces, are any of the other parts in this kit necessary to improve the ride? GMPP Part info is shown below. Your advise is appreciate. Thank you.




12498642 - Heavy Duty Rear Stabilizer Bar Kit:
The kit includes stabilizer bar P/N 10274610 and bushings P/N 10415925.

12498643 - Heavy Duty Front Stabilizer Bar Kit:
This 34mm bar enhances cornering by reducing body roll. The kit includes stabilizer bar P/N 10404184,
bushings P/N 10403188, and end links P/N 10403402.

12498648 - Strut Braces:
These are production Buick strut tower braces designed to minimize body flex. The kit includes two strut tower braces, hardware, and installation instructions. The part number for one strut tower brace only is 12456148.

12498649 - High Performance Tubular Rear Trailing Arm Kit
This kit increases rear suspension performance by eliminating rear suspension flex. It includes two rear trailing arms.

 

I would highly suggest the bmr suspension kit as it is the best of the best and it includes the stb's, lateral arms, trailing arms. As fast as sway bars go the gmpp ones are good but you will want poly end links and poly bushings. The sway bars do not come with poly bushings so they need bought seperate.

 

You are right about the BMR kit! Thanks. However, it is my understanding that the FE4 suspensions has all the components from the GMPP kit except the Strut Tower Braces. The vehicle in question is not in my state so there is no way to look under it. Very much would like to know what is included in the FE4 suspension before making an offer to purchase. Again, any other advise is appreciated.

 

Im also interested in this thread. I just purchased an intimidator last summer and its time to replace the struts and if I could do some upgrades like the GMPP, now is the time.

 

Check your build tag for the suspension FE1 - FE2 - FE3 or FE4. Would guess that an Intimidator would have the F4 Suspension package which is the best one. From what I can gather talking around, the FE3 is a Sport suspension and the FE4 is a Performance suspension. Both should have the front and rear stabilizer bars already installed as part of the package, but cannot confirm it which is the reason for the original question. Anyway, doubt that either FE3 or FE4 have the Strut Tower Braces. Would recommend both front and rear. Be sure to install them with aluminum mounting brackets from Don Rome which make the install a breeze - Home Page. Put them on both my 2005 Impala LS vehicles and they do makes a world of difference. My Chevy dealer believes there is no need for the rear trailing arms unless rusted out. GM no longer supplies the rear trailing arms and the dealer said that Dorman's are no better than GM OEM. So for a few dollars more consider BMR. Still looking for the right Monte Carlo. Hope this helps.

 

Don Rome Link- http://www.drcustomparts.com/

 

Just purchased a low mileage well cared for 2001 MC SS. The vehicle has the FE3 suspension package which includes only the front Strut Tower brace - no rear one, front Stabilizer Bar part number 25861193 which is 33mm and rear Stabilizer Bar part number 10243923 (unknown diameter) all factory installed at the time of build. Will add the rear Strut Tower brace soon. The rear trailing arms have been beefed up for the FE3 package on the MC SS vehicles so no need to change them out. Do not know if the Stabilizer Bar are solid or hollow. Anyone have any thoughts about replacing the front stabilizer bar with one which is solid and 34 mm? any real difference in the handling??