Cadillac CTS-V - Rear shock replacement

Am I reading this correctly?
ACDELCO Part # 540170 {#25752922}
ABSORBER,RR SHK(W/UPR MT) ; w/SPECIAL SUSP(FE4)

242.79!? For one?!

If that's true I'm definitely downgrading to FE1 shocks.

cheapest i found em new is 212.95

Thats correct. LOL Don't do FE1s. Worst case... maybe some stiffer KYBs? QA1s? KYBs are stiffer then the FE1 suspension at least.

I just picked up some FE4s in the FS section.

Buying used shocks doesn't make much sense to me.

QA1's... still just as expensive

not much help but i have two brand new front struts. im going with coil overs if my current ones shit the bed.

Napa: http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NS_5788_0343090046

$131.58 and don't look adjustable (of no consequence to me).

Advance: http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_sensa-trac-passenger-car-shock-absorber-monroe_19711139-p?navigationPath=L1*14921|L2*15010

$94.99

Fe4s are expensive because they are quality shocks.

Don't put those other shit shocks on your car. You will be wishing you spent more money at some point.

That fe4 deal in the classifieds was a steal.

I just got brand new fg2s. Despite what you may have heard me say, there really isn't a significant difference between those and the fe4s... especially the fronts. It might seem that way but once you ride on 600/650 with qa1s everything feels like a cloud.

I should mention that I had my qa1s custom built double adjustable...they are very stiff.

In stock form the qa1s are shit too.

You have 2 options: shit shocks or real coilovers. Good luck.

Pick-A-Part on eBay has 4 rear FG2 shocks available for $50+25 S&H each.

got a link fuzz?

Here's a set of new fg2s at a good price but I'm not sure I trust anyone who can't spell...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CADILLAC-CTS-V-PROFORMANCE-SHOCKS-PT-12499241-/180940943734?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a20ebb176&vxp=mtr

ok im bringing back an old thread but I'm just finding all this out!

Are we seriously limited to these 2 types of quality shocks? 1000$ for shocks is amazing!!! You can get a set of bilstein's for a vette for around 400!??? Also is there no way to remove the rear auto leveling? I just cannot wrap my head around 1k for shocks!

If I'm spending 1k on suspension what are my coil over options? GC uses factory absorbers right? 1k+500=1500$ for a product that has all sorts of problems?

KW? Dont know the cost, any others?

Well technically you can use different shocks you may have to fab mounts... The top mount comes undone and will accept a stud mount shock... The bottom you can use an eye mount I've done it... I tried some universal drag shocks from Lakewood, but the ride was too soft with the springs I have... I saved them for later use when I can get my hands on stiffer springs...

KW are like +2k

http://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/prod/D2R-D-CA-01

D2 coil overs 1k


Well technically you can use different shocks you may have to fab mounts... The top mount comes undone and will accept a stud mount shock... The bottom you can use an eye mount I've done it... I tried some universal drag shocks from Lakewood, but the ride was too soft with the springs I have... I saved them for later use when I can get my hands on stiffer springs...

got any pics on what you had to mod on the top mount?. this is the kind of stuff that we need, the aftermarket has really gone stagnant in the suspension department for the V1.. Wish there was a non load leveling quality shock.. I have read that the KB are super soft

Angelo from Anze Suspension can fab up the mounts you need.
I'm running Penske Triple Adjustables on hyperco's thanks to him...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cN0nNSmwuMg/T-yQYOrP9cI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/jrUutMYjv_s/s576/Front%2520Suspension.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O7P-Fwd5epw/T-yQcjOmuhI/AAAAAAAAA_g/zgXSp8n3HXQ/s576/Rear%2520Suspension.jpg

Angelo from Anze Suspension can fab up the mounts you need.
I'm running Penske Triple Adjustables on hyperco's thanks to him...

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cN0nNSmwuMg/T-yQYOrP9cI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/jrUutMYjv_s/s576/Front%2520Suspension.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O7P-Fwd5epw/T-yQcjOmuhI/AAAAAAAAA_g/zgXSp8n3HXQ/s576/Rear%2520Suspension.jpg

And what was the grand total on that?

KW are like +2k

http://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/prod/D2R-D-CA-01

D2 coil overs 1k




got any pics on what you had to mod on the top mount?. this is the kind of stuff that we need, the aftermarket has really gone stagnant in the suspension department for the V1.. Wish there was a non load leveling quality shock.. I have read that the KB are super soft

I tried this strictly for experiment... Shocks cost me $52 each from Summit they're a 50/50 drag shock. I can't remember the part number, but basically I measured rod length and found one that would fit... Studded top and eye lower mount. I didn't take much time to do a "permanent" install since I didn't keep them in the car for more than a couple days because my 550lb/in springs are too soft for these. No binding when compressed... A little binding when suspension fully sagged, but a proper bracket will take care if that.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b32/bigmikeca/1EDF97C2-6C77-4065-974C-C397C151EA15-1142-000000477C141464.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b32/bigmikeca/CF4CDDA7-C174-4EBF-A089-A0029174C06D-1142-00000047995DFCED.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b32/bigmikeca/E0D5D9BE-4DBE-4965-BFAA-92C9893ED45F-1142-000000478F1E2BC8.jpg

Shocks cost me $52 each from Summit they're a 50/50 drag shock. ... I didn't keep them in the car for more than a couple days because my 550lb/in springs are too soft for these.
I assume you meant the 550#/in springs were too stiff for the drag shocks?

Looks like Monroe offers a limited lifetime warranty on the Sensatrac's, and they also offer a 90-day trial period (http://www.monroe.com/support/Safe-and-Sound-Guarantee). If you're truly getting sticker shock from the OEM replacements, seems like the Monroes would be a decent gamble.

And what was the grand total on that?

I'm probably 6-7k on that setup but its strictly track.

Naturally you don't have to go to the end of the spectrum like that, just showing the possibilities. But the mounts can be done. That would open the choices...

I assume you meant the 550#/in springs were too stiff for the drag shocks?

Looks like Monroe offers a limited lifetime warranty on the Sensatrac's, and they also offer a 90-day trial period (http://www.monroe.com/support/Safe-and-Sound-Guarantee). If you're truly getting sticker shock from the OEM replacements, seems like the Monroes would be a decent gamble.

No I meant to say too soft... The rear end squats big time which isn't good for IRS... With my FG2s it's much more planted... I didn't realize just how stiff they are until I did this experiment

I assume you meant the 550#/in springs were too stiff for the drag shocks?

Looks like Monroe offers a limited lifetime warranty on the Sensatrac's, and they also offer a 90-day trial period (http://www.monroe.com/support/Safe-and-Sound-Guarantee). If you're truly getting sticker shock from the OEM replacements, seems like the Monroes would be a decent gamble.

My last set of monroe shocks/struts lasted 6 months....grand total of 8000 miles. Started sagging in one corner and creaking in the front.

I would really look into some KYB's. Whatever they used to call the GR2 series is an excellent product. I think it has a new name now now sure. They're relatively affordable and sporty and durable. I'd say they are optimized for stiff springs, I used them on my lowered Nissan, worked great for 50k miles before I sold the car. Sporty and very controlled but also comfortable.