[scoutpilot]

In an effort to continually upgrade my CTS on a fiscally frugal man's budget, I have been slowly buying parts and have now started adding them.

Today I swapped out the FE1 rear bar for the FE3. Took me about an hour and a half, and there's a trick or two to it. If anyone's interested, I'll discuss it further.

 

[BamaCaddy08]

I'd be interested to know what kind of difference in driving you have experiences. My car had the FE3 suspension and I'm also curious what the REAL difference is between it and the other cars. I know its a stiffer setup but im curious to know more. Does that mean you will be replacing the rear shocks as well sometime soon?

 

[scoutpilot]

Yes, I will be. I haven't decided yet between the FE2 or FE3 shocks yet. There is a rather significant price difference.

 

[dcsquared5]

Yes, I will be. I haven't decided yet between the FE2 or FE3 shocks yet. There is a rather significant price difference.

I'm curious about this as well. I bought mine used as an FE1 (got a great deal), but would like to upgrade some of the suspension components to stiffen the ride up. It just feels a little too "floaty" at times for my preference. What's the difference between FE2 and FE3 shocks price-wise? Also, are there any aftermarket options available(maybe adjustable coilovers or something)? I would love to hear any information you have on this.

EDIT: Just saw on D3's website that they offer an aftermarket coil setup. Anybody have this installed yet?

 

[scoutpilot]

The rear shocks are what get you. The FE2 rears cost about $110 each (they are side-specific, unlike the fronts). The FE3 rears cost $215 and $230, respectively.

 

[scoutpilot]

Also, I should mention that a frame lift is a MUST to do this work yourself.

 

[BamaCaddy08]

Aren't the FE3 rear shocks auto load leveling?

 

[smithb]

Woudl the FE3 sway bar help the FE2 suspension? I don't want too stiff a ride (that is why I got the FE2, to compromise), but if it just makes it corner flatter, I could live with that.

 

[gonzalezfj]

In an effort to continually upgrade my CTS on a fiscally frugal man's budget, I have been slowly buying parts and have now started adding them.

Today I swapped out the FE1 rear bar for the FE3. Took me about an hour and a half, and there's a trick or two to it. If anyone's interested, I'll discuss it further.

A stiffer rear bar will help minimize body lean on turns, but (without also changing the front bar) it will change the front-to-rear balance and make the car more prone to oversteer. Although a "loose" car (with more oversteer) is faster, it can be difficult to control for drivers that do not have the reflexes to countersteer quickly when the rear starts to slide. This is the reason why practically every car made today comes from the manufacturer with understeer built in.

Frank Gonzalez

 

[martinwilliamh]

I have to say, I rented a Chevy Impala. Now that thing really bobs around. The Caddy with the regular suspension handles much better than most cars.

 

[martinwilliamh]

I am looking to upgrade my 2008 CTS from FE1 to FE2 suspension as well. I was thinking of just upgrading to stiffer shocks and not doing anything else (no new stabilizer bars or larger tires, etc). I just want a little more of a controlled ride - not looking for super sports car handling. Do you guys think just new suspension will be OK? Or do you have to get the larger/stiffer bars as well?

While we are on the topic - any recommendations of exactly what brand/model of shocks I should get?

 

[b4z]

I've had my FE1 '11 for 2.5 months now and am amazed at both the ride quality and the ability throw it into a cloverleaf.
i've always been the guy who want s the lowest profile tires and stiffest suspension a manufacturer offers but the FE1 suspension is pretty sweet.

The OP has put the just the rear bar in so he is going to have oversteer if he drives it aggressively.
I put stiffer rear springs in my GTO and i have understeer going into the turn and oversteer coming out now.

 

[Helmutk]

I have a '08 CTS AWD with the FE2 suspension and the 18" A/S Michelins. I have to say this car handles really nice in the turns for it's size and weight. Before this car I had a '08 Pontiac Solstice GTP and it made turns like it was on rails. The CTS4 is not as good in turns as the Solstice was but you can not compare the two. I would say the '08 CTS4 handles almost the same in turns as my '87 Corvette did.

 

[C "T" ess]

If I could do only one upgrade, I think it would be the stabilizer bars, but would do both front and rear. IMO shocks alone will not improve control and handling but will help keep the car less likely to bounce. Tires are another idea I would consider if allowed to make only one change, but then the tire choices are limited by the suspension characteristics. Yep it would be the bars for me.

 

[b4z]

Springs generally will reap better benefits from a standpoint of less brake dive and controlling body motions.

I had a '99 Olds Intrigue that was supposed to be one of GM best handling FWD vehicles. It had their largest 1 13/16" front swaybar, but soft springs. It was ALL wrong in the handling department.
When you floored it, the frojnt end would rise up like a boat, when stood on the brakes it would dive like crazy and when you hit a small bump it would crash into it.

Swaybars should really be used to tune a suspension, but larger ones obviously do have benefits.