Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Suspension, brake, and hydraulic/electric steering discussion.
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Efrain
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Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by Efrain »

Hi everyone.
Fairly new , from what I'm getting is that my 2013 ppv is basically a G8.
Question .... can I buy some performance strut assemblies and they bolt right on with no mod??
CrashTestDummy
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Well, it's a stretched G8, and the added wheelbase is between the B and C pillar. But as far as the struts question is concerned, yes, mostly:

http://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewtop ... C+coilover
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Efrain
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by Efrain »

sweet!!

so now for some recommendations.....

if im just going to be doing everyday driving with the occasional heavy foot on some back country roads...
should i get stock G8 struts,... will that eliminate the 4wd look...especially in the back...

or should i go ahead and fork over the extra for some performance strut assemblies

***doing entire strut assemblies either way , ... to eliminate the headache of replacing spring.
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kevink
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by kevink »

Struts won't change the ride height, but springs will.
2011 9C3: 11.48 @118.
Navy Lifer
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by Navy Lifer »

A good starting place is the revised OE struts - offered by GM as service replacements for the original 2011 "harsh" PPV setup, combined with SS Performance Sedan springs. You can also use Monroe aftermarket struts - both the GM & Monroe struts are made in Australia by Monroe/Tenneco (or they were).

Rock Auto lists both - Monroe is represented as "Severe Service" - I've ridden in a PPV with the Monroe struts and Pedders lowering springs, and I consider the ride excellent and well-controlled - on stock wheels/tire size.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/che ... strut,7584

The SS springs were offered in 2 versions - 2014, with conventional struts, and 2015-2017, with MRC (magnetic ride control) are different PN's, but all will work on the PPV. The PN's are different, but fit/form/function is virtually the same.

There are differences in front struts - for a WM (2011-2013) PPV, the clevis for the knuckle is narrow. For a WN (2014-2017) PPV, the clevis for the knuckle is wide, just as it is on the 14-17 SS Performance Sedan.

It MIGHT be possible to use a wide-clevis strut on a WM knuckle, with some sort of spacer plate.

http://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=31
http://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewtop ... f=18&t=835

My overall point is I don't know that there's any benefit/advantage to using G8 parts vs using PPV replacement struts - either Monroe OR GM - since the PPV spec parts are valved for the the mass and front/rear response rates of the chassis, given the nearly 4" longer wheelbase, mass distribution, etc.

That said, here's the Rock Auto listing for G8 (2009, with FE3 struts shown)
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/pon ... strut,7584
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/pon ... orber,7556
Pursuit
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by Pursuit »

I believe that the G8 guys were swapping to the PPV struts as an upgrade...

Maurice
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kevink
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by kevink »

Pursuit wrote: Thu Jun 18, 2020 2:42 pm I believe that the G8 guys were swapping to the PPV struts as an upgrade...

Maurice
Yep, but who knows if it was actually an upgrade. I think they were doing it for a firmer ride or something, right? Seems like all the Caprice guys want to soften up the ride...
2011 9C3: 11.48 @118.
Efrain
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by Efrain »

All,
Thanks for all the great Intel.
Since I was low on cash I decided to just use some Tein lowering springs on factory struts for now. (The car only has 50k miles on it, so the factory struts look really good)
Got the S.Tech to fit a G8 , designed to be used with OE struts
And to be honest I thought the ride was going to get stiffer , but it actually softened it up quite a bit and it handles like a champ. Got it aligned right after of course.
For ~$200 I couldn't ask for more...
Definitely recomend stech tein springs for those of you that are one budget and have good OE struts . Check it out
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73TA
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by 73TA »

Nice, like the ride height. Looks like the way to go for a budget suspension upgrade (meaning smoother ride) with the benefit of lowering.


Mike
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Re: Struts off G8 onto 2013 caprice

Post by JUNKYARD_JACK »

Efrain wrote: Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:44 am All,
Thanks for all the great Intel.
Since I was low on cash I decided to just use some Tein lowering springs on factory struts for now. (The car only has 50k miles on it, so the factory struts look really good)
Got the S.Tech to fit a G8 , designed to be used with OE struts
And to be honest I thought the ride was going to get stiffer , but it actually softened it up quite a bit and it handles like a champ. Got it aligned right after of course.
For ~$200 I couldn't ask for more...
Definitely recomend stech tein springs for those of you that are one budget and have good OE struts . Check it out
old thread bump!

That ride height looks awesome, I might have to go this route because I had tein Stech springs on a previous car and I very much enjoyed them.
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