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Suspension Swap


Ribbie

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OK, I am looking to upgrade my ever so inadequate front brakes on the 92 Buick Regal GS. The swap needs to be done with a newer 95-99 or so Monte's front knuck and strut assembly.

 

I have gone to the W-Body info, then went to Car-part.com and found many different types of information.

 

Which to choose from?

 

267mm dia brake rotor, std susp FE1 Right

267mm dia brake rotor, std susp FE1 Left

286mm dia brake rotor, std susp FE1 Right

286mm dia brake rotor, std susp FE1 Left

267mm dia brake rotor, sport susp FE3 Right

267mm dia brake rotor, sport susp FE3 Left

267mm dia brake rotor, HD susp F41 Right

267mm dia brake rotor, HD susp F41 Left

286mm dia brake rotor, sport susp FE3 Right

286mm dia brake rotor, sport susp FE3 Left

286mm dia brake rotor, HD susp F41 Right

286mm dia brake rotor, HD susp F41 Left

 

"this is a cut and paste from the website choice menu"

 

At any rate, what in the H E double hockey sticks am I looking for?

 

Also what are the thoughts/aplicability of a brake controller to actually place some power to the rear?

 

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

D

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Maybe I am missing somthing here. Did I word this wrong or something?

 

30 + views and not even a snide remark?

 

Seriously, I need to have the brakes done on Tuesday (this being Sunday), and would like to know what I am up against.

 

Could some who has already run through this please drop me a line.

 

Thanks

 

D

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umm...yes, youre right on the 95 up front knuckle for bigger brakes. the FE1, FE3 doesnt matter. theyre the same pieces. F41, ive heard of it, but dont know exactly what it goes on...probably Cadis. but the 286 mm rotors are the bigger fronts...so any knuckle assembly that came of a '95+ would be fine. FE3 deals with 34 mm front sway bar, but that just has a different bar and bushing. it also deals with coil and strut cartridge. but if you just want bigger brakes, none of that other stuff matters....just the knuckles, spring plate, and the rotors...i think. check with

dykz34...he did the swap on his Z

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umm...yes, youre right on the 95 up front knuckle for bigger brakes. the FE1, FE3 doesnt matter. theyre the same pieces. F41, ive heard of it, but dont know exactly what it goes on...probably Cadis. but the 286 mm rotors are the bigger fronts...so any knuckle assembly that came of a '95+ would be fine. FE3 deals with 34 mm front sway bar, but that just has a different bar and bushing. it also deals with coil and strut cartridge. but if you just want bigger brakes, none of that other stuff matters....just the knuckles, spring plate, and the rotors...i think. check with

dykz34...he did the swap on his Z

 

I did go to dykz34's website, seems simple enough. I am not at all intimidated to do this sort of thing, but just wanted to know what I am to aquire as far a parts go. The list is from car-part.com, on of the wreckers I contacted asked wich suspension I would like. Now if it does not matter, then I guess it would be the cheepest. Is there a difference in the shocks as far as drivability, hoping for something sportier.

 

My plan was to do this:

 

1. Swap the entire strut assembly out of the 92 Buick Regal GS for something newer to get bigger brakes.

 

2. To get improved handling by the way of newer shocks and struts (96+)

 

OR

 

3. Put KYB's and lowered springs into the 96+ strut assemblies before I install them in the car.

 

Thoughts on any of this?

 

Looking for those that have performed or are going to perform this swap.

 

Thanks in advance

 

D

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better brakes, you cant compete with 96+. ST coils and KYBs will definately stiffen up the front of your car. adding a strut brace will make it all that much more better. for the rear, youll have to find a stiffer leaf spring and add KYBs also. or else just hook up with the FFP coilovers with the KYBs because from what ive heard theyre a pretty stiff setup. when i get back to the states im installing my ST coils and and ordering the FFP coilovers.

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Guest TurboSedan

Thoughts on any of this?

 

Looking for those that have performed or are going to perform this swap.

 

Thanks in advance

 

D

 

i'm doing alot of the same things. i have most of the parts but i still need to install them.

 

i have front strut/knuckle assemblies from a '96 Cutlass waiting to go in my car. i am going to transfer my Eibach lowering springs over to the new strut/knuckles and get new balljoints installed, along with KYB strut cartridges. i already have KYB's in the rear and i love 'em. i think both Held and FFP have adjustable coilovers for the front if you wanted to do that.

 

i still need to install my 34mm front bar that i've had laying around forever, along with my Addco rear bar. i had the Addco bar in for awhile and it REALLY helps. the rear of the car really stiffened up yet the ride was not harsh. steering response also improved alot. unfortunately i broke an inner hanger and had to take it back out.

 

alot of people are afraid to get rear coilovers because the frame wasn't designed to handle it, but i have had absolutely NO problems in the 60,000+ miles i have put on them, and i drive pretty hard (mad pizza delivery, lots of interstate trips). they are kind of noisy when i go over bumps while turning but i have older TDC coilovers which aren't even available anymore. the FFP coilovers available from BowtieKid are much better (ecspecially the upper spring mount). i can set the rear of my car on the ground with my coilovers and adjust it about 2" above stock ride height. i'm assuming the same is possible with the FFP's.

 

the '94+ rear brake upgrade won't help braking performance by much, but the design of the caliper is much better and the sliders won't seize up and quit working like the '88-'93 brakes do. the rotors are 11" compared to the '88-'93 10.5" rotor. the e-brake cable can be kind of tricky to hook back up tho. some people reuse their existing cables and some (like me) are using '94+ cables. i've heard the '96+ brake booster will improve pedal feel - i can't do that tho since my clutch master cylinder is in the way.

 

i still need to install the rear STB that i got from Justin (92TurboLE), and get my front STB from him and that should help alot also. otherwise i'd say the 16x8 GTP crosslace wheels i put on helped a whole lot over the previous Olds 15" crosslace wheels. and of course they look alot better too :) now i just need good tires!

 

joshua

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