Lowering the Monte, what shocks?

[79T-top]

So I've been doing some research and have come up with a few ideas, just wanted to get some feedback/tips.

This is my set up.
Front:
2" drop spindles
1" OPGI lowering springs

Rear
2" OPGI lowering springs

My goal is to lower the car two to three inches while retaining a nicer ride quality.

At first I was planing on just running the Bilstein HD series but read somewhere that these shocks are good, but they aren't made for lowered vehicles. With that in mind I did some further research and found some people on "montecarloss.com" that suggested running the belltech N2 drop shocks in the rear and another guy (MadMike on mcss forum) who suggested running the Bilstein HD 2WD S10 shocks up front claiming "the The shock body of the 1307 (S10) is about an inch shorter, but the diameter is about 30%, with a larger upper bushings"

I would "assume" the S10 shock would provide a better damper for the front with a lowered G-body then the shock specifically made for the G-body.... and this is where my question lies, are my "assumptions" here correct, would the S10 HD shock indeed be a better shock providing a better ride then the g-body HD?

...and the other question, what are your experiences with the belltech N2 drop shocks? Would you suggest just getting the g-body bilstein HD's or would I get more life and a better ride quality with the N2s?

 

[Grandprixpaul]

Like your set up please post pics when your done cus im looking to drop my gp and not sure what to use thanks

 

[CruizinKev]

got the same lowering goal! my setup is OPGI 2" drop springs front and rear, and got sc&c a-arm kit stg2 that adds almost another 1" on front. I bought Bilstein shocks because heard a lot of good things about them!

 

[pontiacgp]

I have my GP lowered and used Afco shocks which worked real well but I'm going to try these Biltein's out. These Bilsteins are not the usual Bilsteins you get, I do not use self adjusting shocks

http://pmzracingproducts.com/bilstein_s ... hocks.html

 

[79T-top]

I have my GP lowered and used Afco shocks which worked real well but I'm going to try these Biltein's out. These Bilsteins are not the usual Bilsteins you get, I do not use self adjusting shocks

http://pmzracingproducts.com/bilstein_s ... hocks.html

Those are just the AK series, I've heard those are better then the HD series.

Does anyone have any information from experience on the N2's or the S10 shocks?

 

[Lowproelco]

the n2s are junk i dropped my monte and used them but they are to soft can cycle them up and down with my hands.. my old kb s rode better and were three years old...

 

[79T-top]

the n2s are junk i dropped my monte and used them but they are to soft can cycle them up and down with my hands.. my old kb s rode better and were three years old...

Bilsteins all around then?

 

[grand86prix_05]

I know this is a little different but I lowered my 90 celica on H&R springs, when I did I put in monroe sensa-trac shocks because I didn't want to have way too stiff of a ride, and honestly I wanted to put something in that if went bad I could have a warranty. It actually rides very well with that set up, I am planning to do the same on my grand prix. All in all the way I look at it is unless I am putting together a done up car to race there's no need to go crazy on shocks. I could just see billsteins plus all that lowering causing a very rough ride, but its a matter of what you want to achieve with the car.

 

[79T-top]

I know this is a little different but I lowered my 90 celica on H&R springs, when I did I put in monroe sensa-trac shocks because I didn't want to have way too stiff of a ride, and honestly I wanted to put something in that if went bad I could have a warranty. It actually rides very well with that set up, I am planning to do the same on my grand prix. All in all the way I look at it is unless I am putting together a done up car to race there's no need to go crazy on shocks. I could just see billsteins plus all that lowering causing a very rough ride, but its a matter of what you want to achieve with the car.

My goal is to retain as much ride comfort as possible. However, I am fully aware that lowering my car as much as I am I will have to just accept that I'm going to lose a good amount of ride quality, but I'll be damned if I don't try to stop it!

I was told bilsteins are going to help retain as much ride quality as possible.

 

[grand86prix_05]

Well I guess I can't say from experience about bilsteins, they just always came off to me as more of an "hd" shock which of course would be firm. But one way or the other there are cheaper options that would still provide a perfectly solid ride. The other thing that got my attention with the monroes though is they are designed to firm up when necessary, which would help prevent bottoming out.