Lowered the Grand Prix (pics)

Z

ZeusCGP

New member
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

060226_jonesbeach_04.jpg




After

060513_lowering_01.jpg




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.
 
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

060226_jonesbeach_01.jpg


After

060520_lowering.jpg
 
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.
 
Antonio Wright said:
No matter what you do that car will always be a land barge.
Click to expand...



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. :D
 
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).



050730_wash07.jpg
 
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