I have a GT also and am planning to install the Fe3 front struts and rear shocks from the GXP. At 32k miles I'm guessing your originals are getting a bit tired. The Fe3 are gas pressurized over oil (vs oil only for the OEM GT setup) which keeps the hydraulics working much more consistently over their stroke and at different speeds. They are also valved tighter which is significant to good handling without feeling harsh either.

They cost about $350 as aftermarket parts. This is cheap compared to any other strut/shock upgrade. Not sure how much a dealer would charge for them. But in replacing the front bushings the struts have to come out, they shouldn't charge for the labor to put the Fe3 front struts in. You could just do the fronts at this time but I recommend having the rears done at the same time to get the benefit in handling.

 

So I have a question now. I have heard the fe3 will make it sit higher. I have also heard that the lovell strut bushings will make the car sit lower. If I have both I should pretty much stay at stock height, correct? Is it 350 for all 4 or just the fronts.

Sent from my PC36100 using AutoGuide App

 

New strut mounts (bushings) should increase the front wheel to fender clearance just a tad (back to normal height).

I believe the $350 is for (OEM GXP) 2 front struts and 2 rear shocks.

Ride height is mostly affected by the springs, not struts/shocks.
I'm using Pedders GSR struts and shocks with Pedders HD springs (OEM ride height). It does sit a tad lower, but my upgraded suspension is a major improvement over stock.

I'd have the dealership inspect the front lower control arms and radius rods, as the first version of them is known to fail.

 

Dirty car, beautiful Charlotte.

 

Hey SRG963 - read a while back someone changing out their GSRs because they felt they were too harsh. So I crossed them off my list (same with Konis). You mention you have HD springs with the GSRs so they are matched. I am sticking with stock GT springs for comfort. The GSR/HD spring combo definitely will handle better but how is the hit on ride comfort? We have sh&$^ty roads here in the northeast.

 

Charlotte side roads are not that great either.

My G8's ride quality has improved. It's more sporty than stock, but I wouldn't call it harsh by any means. I daily drove her 25k (garage queen now) with my suspension mods, and wouldn't change a thing. Along with the Pedders bits, my suspension mods include BMR swaybars, BMR poly sub frame inserts and strut mounts, BMR rear trailing arms (poly), and BMR rear toe rods (poly).

The car feels much more responsive. Control joints on the Interstates are less noticeable. I'm not saying what I have is best for everyone, but it's perfect for me.

 

The sway bars made the biggest change in ride quality IMO. Much more stiff with them installed. I've got my front on soft and rear on middle.

 

I think the GXP higher ride height is a myth. When ever I have ever had my wheels off or the car on jack stands and the suspension at full drop. It takes a few hours for the suspension to go back to normal ride height after it is back on all 4 tires. New FE3 struts and new bushings, the front would be higher with the bushings alone. The gas charged struts and shocks would slow the suspension going back to it's normal ride height. Even after a short test drive, it may not be fully settled.

 

I can't speak to this, but from all that I've read, people say the GXP sits higher.

Actually, this is one of the struggles I'm having with choosing lower springs and new shocks/struts. I intended on getting the SLP springs, but if I install FE3 dampers, I'm not getting the full 1"/0.8" drop. According to others, it will be something less than that, I just don't know what. Someone with a GXP and SLP springs said it sits like a GT, which is NOT what I want.

I'm not entirely sure how the struts work, but it was always my understanding that they were pure dampers. From an engineering perspective, a damper would not control ride height (displacement), but rather would control suspension displacement velocity. The springs (and mounts) should control the ride height, no?

 

i am not to worried about the ride height. i am putting in Lovells strut bushings and from what i read i will get about a 3/4" drop from that i.e. it will sit the same height it is currently and the fe3 will raise it back about 3/4" to 1" so at worse it will sit 1/4" higher than the correct stock height which would be ideal and i will have the improvement of the fe3 no matter how small it might be it will be better than the 32k mile driven fe2.

 

Lovells(or any) strut bushings WILL NOT lower your car