I need a new suspension! Help me decide!
 

My Monte's rear end is sagging quite a bit so I'm thinking its time for a new suspension. But I'm not really sure whats going to give me the best bang for my buck. Here's what I got: 2000 Monte Carlo SS 145,000 miles and I dont think the suspension has been replaced ever. I have subs and an optima battery in the trunk. I also occasionally have my friends in the back seat. I want to keep it close to stock height but I would kind of like it to be a little higher. The rims I bought a few months ago are wider then the stock ones and the wider tires rub on the lip on the rear wheel well. I want to keep the suspension as stiff as I can with maybe some adjustment. Help me out please!

im gonna try the rear hieghtening springs fromt he w body store. im pretty busy reight now, but ill get back to you on how much they actually help. springs set hieght, not struts. i think the best place to get your struts would be the kyb outlet, on amazon. im gonna either get some gr2's or some monroe sensatracks. im pretty sure there the same strut, with different paint.

buy my stock springs only have about 27k miles on.

So would the set of stiff springs from the W-body store with the KYB AGX adjustable struts be a good combo or would a non-adjustable strut be fine?

Kinda an objective question. If you want to be able to adjust the struts then AGXs would be good. IF you don't care about adjusting them and just want a nice little better than stock ride then just get the GR2s. I have the AGXs and have been playing around with the settings. Honestly the only advantage is that I can set it all the way stiff if I wanted to go to the track or I know I am going on a long freeway trip. Other than that if you want to save money get the GR2s.

^^^ Agreed, I have the (Koni) GM adjustable (discontinued) and they are great but more useful on the track. You can set the rear all the way up to eliminate rear squat, it's great. I run mine on the lowest setting for everyday driving, but then again I do have the full BMR package to compliment it.

IMO get LS or LT springs, they will make the rear end higher, and get a fender roller and roll your rear fenders. or get someone to professionally do it by the book, AKA clean and sand the fender lip prior to rolling, and close up and seal with seam sealer. thats how i do every one of my clients vehicles.

I just ordered the stiff springs and KYB AGX adjustable struts. Anything else I need to get? I'm not the handiest with suspensions. More of an engine and interior guy :P

You will need two sets of camber kits (I used Eibach) which would be 4 total bolts. You will also need the anti-pogo washers either from ZZP or W-body I believe.

So I need a pair of these? : http://www.jazzproparts.com/Eibach_P...onte-carlo.htm

Yeah two sets of those. And here is where I got them. The nice thing is if you get both sets at the same time ($40) you get free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Eibach-5-81260...6819992&sr=8-1

-You will still need the anti-pogo washers from ZZP and possibly shorter dog bones also. I didn't use the shorter dog bones and I ride just fine but other people have had issues so that is up to you.

Now why would I need shorter dogbones if im getting a new rear suspension? Arent dogbones under the hood?

Some people have increased vibrations after installing lowering springs. I would just installed the suspension stuff, get a good alignment and see from there. If you still have a vibration you might need to get the shorter dog bones. The reason for them is this:

http://zzperformance.com/grand_prix/...=890&catid=138

That interesting, never heard anyone having vibration issues related to lowering, bad alignment perhaps? Some have commented on more vibration with the shortened dog bones, or with the polyurethane mounts. Personally, I run the Full BMR suspension kit, Koni’s with a drop kit, and poly’s with no vibration.

I'm suprised no one takes advantage of BMR's great kit...Although, you can't get the sway bars from them anymore (from addcoo now), it still allows your car to handle like a beast, and I'm on 20''s with 14'/13' brakes...I would suggest people start realizing they can piece this kit together so they don't have to drop a whole 700+...Worth every penny...

http://www.bmrfabrication.com/W-Body.htm
http://www.lmperformance.com/c/1/11.html
http://www.3800performance.com/Merch...tegory_Code=SB
Look around guys...

I would like to start out by saying THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS THREAD AND TO EVERYONE WHO GAVE GREAT FEEDBACK.... I have the same car only with 175,000 miles and a suspension which has never been changed. I don't know ANYTHING about suspension and have been doing research for a couple days. With that said, by reading in here should I buy (from Rock Auto) 2- MONROE Part # 171661 Quick-Strut front & 1 (of each) MONROE Part # 171671L Quick-Strut Rear Left & rear Right; w/ 16" Wheels parts? I apologize in advance for this post but I am just lost about this whole suspension thing haha.... ALL I WANT is a smooth ride, I don't want to feel EVERY bump on the road, I don't race, I plan to upgrade to 20' rims soon (I current have stock wheels) and I want the car to ride like it brand new. THAT'S IT haha. PLEASE HELP ME because I am a noob in this area lol... Thanks in advance and I hope to hear everyone great advice!!!!!

I'm kind of in the same boat. I've got a 2004 LS and am going to be upgrading the rims to 18's or 20's, but the Monroe rear suspension parts all say excluding 17 and 18 inch wheels. Is this only if the car came factory with 17 or 18 or does this include if I'm upgrading wheels? Also, will the KYB's work since they don't list any size restrictions. Thanks!

I'm still waiting on an answer myself before I make the purchase lol.. That was another thing that was throwing me off was the "w/ 16" wheels" part. I completely lost on my end.

In reference to the camber kits: i just got my car lowered and aligned, so if I buy a camber kit, will I have to take it back to the shop for another alignment? I want to avoid that if I can cuz the alignment is $80 a pop.

I'm sorry, I didn't read the entire post but if they got it within spec why would you need/want to realign? Or they couldn't align?

I just thought that if you modified or replaced anything suspension-related that an alignment was necessary afterwards.

It typically is, but you only need a camber kit if you are wayy out of spec, or so I thought? If you already got it lowered and aligned, why are you needing a camber kit?

I'm running a full BMR suspension (adjustable) so I don't really know how the stock setup is.

If you are not into a Name Brand or don't want to spend big $$$ and still get a good Stiff ride and Not have to remove/install springs, here is two sites I used to get a good feeling suspension, stiffen it up and have enough clearance for my 18x8 and 245/45s
CompleteStruts.com | Product Search
Got all 4 Struts for under $300
Adjustable Rear Coil Spring Spacer, Spreader or Compressor
Added a set of their to each of the rear springs. I have a full size spare on those wheels in the trunk plus a good bit of tools in my trunk. And then I put the Mrs and our 15 yr old in the car. No bottoming out, No fender rubbing, I Love the way my Monte rides. I've did my suspension all around about 4 months ago. I drive 22 miles each way to work and have to stop for a toll on the way home. I floor it on the way out of the toll and have No noticeable sag. You can see pics in my garage. The tools and the full sized tire are in the trunk in all the pics. :cool:

when you ordered your complete struts, did it come with new bolts that mount them to your car? I dont have my original bolts and need them!

If you mean the pins at the bottom of the Struts, No. But you should be able to pick them up at any auto parts store. NAPA may be the best place to try for them. The bolts at the top are connected to the Struts and the new nuts come with the new set.

Ok. Ya, i was talking about the connected bolts. I need the nuts! lol.

I am definitely going to check this out. I have KYB Excel-G struts and Canuck Motorsports lowering springs on mine right now, but I constantly rub and bottom out in the back. Probably courtesy of my full-size spare and 2 10 inch kickers. I always wondered if there was a way to further stiffen the rear because it is WAY too bouncy. MUCH improved over stock, but could still use some stiffening. Thanks!!! :thumbsup: