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Old 05-16-06, 04:27   #1 (permalink)
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ZeusCGP is offline
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Lowered the Grand Prix (pics)

Koni Strut/Lowering Package

I helped my friend install this on my car last Saturday. Went pretty smoothly, only took 3 hours. Weather hasn't been cooperating so only have 1 'after' picture.

Before


After


It still has to settle, but when it does it should be a .7" drop in the front, .9" in the rear. Of course I could go lower, but that would not work well in NYC, year round. Feels pretty close to stock. Car isn't as floaty over bumps and doesn't lean as much. I can feel bumps more now... the best way I can describe it is to say they are not as muted as they were before. Right now I have all the struts on 'soft.' One day for kicks I'll turn them to hard.
I have 12" rotors in the front, but otherwise my suspension is stock. I'll be ordering the GMPP Handling Kit (thicker front and rear sway bars, thicker trailing arms, 1 strut towerbrace) in the coming weeks.
 
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Old 05-23-06, 06:26   #2 (permalink)
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that's a nice drop! The car looks very goooooood. Glad you like the ride quality.
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Old 05-25-06, 05:14   #3 (permalink)
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Almost 2 full weeks with them. This is how the car should have handled to begin with! I've made it across all driveways and speedbumps I was worrying about before the install perfectly.
I did turn the struts to 'hard' last week; or should I say 'rattles' They were definitely stiffer, but for daily commute use they just made the cd player skip over every bump.
I feel so much more confident in turns. When I went from the stock RSA tires to the Traction T/A's, the car felt better (not on the edge of always squeeling the tires). This going from the stock suspension to the Konis is like 3 of those tire upgrades combined.
Something that didn't click in my head that would also be improved was the steering. It feels great! I don't want to say it requires less effort; maybe I should say, like before, the feel isn't as 'muted' as the stock steering felt. I can concentrate more on turning the car correctly, rather than concentrating on how to trick the car into turning correctly.

Before

After
 
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Old 05-27-06, 01:21   #4 (permalink)
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again, it looks really good. I like that the drop is not too dramatic. Just gives it a performance edge. Like you said, the car should have come like that.
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Old 05-27-06, 01:32   #5 (permalink)
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No matter what you do that car will always be a land barge.
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Old 05-28-06, 06:17   #6 (permalink)
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So would you like to race me in your dingy on a road course?


or the 1/4?


 
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Old 05-28-06, 07:45   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Antonio Wright
No matter what you do that car will always be a land barge.
alright vee-dub, don't make us W-body guys slap the shnitzel outta you!

I prefer to think of my car as a rocket couch.
 
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Old 05-28-06, 08:46   #8 (permalink)
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lol... it is a pretty big/heavy car... the first pic was taken in Staten Island right? looking at at brooklyn?
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Old 05-29-06, 06:49   #9 (permalink)
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Hey it's only 3750lbs with me in it
The first shot is from Queens looking at the Bronx actually (it's the Whitestone Bridge).

 
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