Cadillac CTS-V - New Project, just checking off my parts list.

Alright, I'm finally breaking down and fixing the shot suspension on my V. I live on a dirt road and it did my shocks and struts in in two months. I've ordered KW variant 3 coilovers, hotchkis sways, and a CS 8.8 swap (my diff is on it's way out too...). Question is I know I need some small supporting nick nacks, at this point new endlinks the way I understand it are a must.

I have found these and I just want to make sure I'm barking up the right tree.

http://www.c5racer.com/catalog/corvette-c5-c6-z06-zr1/suspension-corvette/c5-suspension-upgrades/corvette-heavy-duty-sway-bar-end-links-a-must-for-racing-and-performance-driving.html?gclid=CL3V9vipyrECFQP0nAodPyYAcQ

If you folks think of anything else let me know. Thanks.

Much less expensive option:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-adjustable-sway-bar-end-link-heavy-duty-1997-2004.html

I have some Z06 endlinks I am not using. PM me.

The ones I have look like these:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-sway-bar-end-links-hi-performance-1997-2004.html?crosssell=Product_Upsell

Look for a spherical bearing to replace the rear shock upper mount.

These MIGHT work:

http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_8_162&products_id=486

The KW's have a 10 mm shaft.

Much less expensive option:
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-adjustable-sway-bar-end-link-heavy-duty-1997-2004.html

This will work, thanks.

Look for a spherical bearing to replace the rear shock upper mount.

These MIGHT work:

http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_8_162&products_id=486

The KW's have a 10 mm shaft.

Just curious is will the KW's not fit, or is this one of the simple may as well upgrade while im there type of things?

Thanks for the input gentlemen, much appreciated.

This will work, thanks.



Just curious is will the KW's not fit, or is this one of the simple may as well upgrade while im there type of things?

Thanks for the input gentlemen, much appreciated.

They make those for the KW's.

The ? is the mounting to frame distance , hole to hole.

I used a PADFT which is no longer available.

You will get to the point of either removing or replacing or modifying the OEM for the KW's anyway.

This will work, thanks.



Just curious is will the KW's not fit, or is this one of the simple may as well upgrade while im there type of things?

Thanks for the input gentlemen, much appreciated.

Somebody has to try these out and report back. Heavy sent me these links when I did the kw v3 install but I was wanting to find some pfadt mounts but never could. If anybody has some pfadt's laying around I would be interested in buying/splitting a set.

Somebody has to try these out and report back. Heavy sent me these links when I did the kw v3 install but I was wanting to find some pfadt mounts but never could. If anybody has some pfadt's laying around I would be interested in buying/splitting a set.

Actually, all that has to be verified is the mounting hole distance for the plate.

I emailed AST to try to get this spec, but no answer.

Well I'm glad I have a little while before this stuff comes in so I can get all the supporting bits and pieces in line. Keep it coming and thanks folks.

Nice upgrade list!!

Thanks. It was either this or triple turbos, and injectors on the duramax.

With regards to end links:

1. You can utilize your stock rear end links. There is a 95% chance that you will snap your front end links in the first 100 miles with a stiffer sway bar if you're lowered.

2. Your options for the front end links are the C5/C6 aluminum end links, which have the advantage of being super cheap, or quality adjustable end links (links with heim joint are most definitely not--unless you like the sound of clattering metal). If you go the C5/C6 aluminum end links route for the front, you'll need to drill larger holes to accept the M12 bolts on the end links. In addition to the drill bit, you'll also need four M12 flat washers, and four M12-1.75 hex nuts.

3. The rear end links must be the adjustable type, because nobody sells non-adjustable ones with a 90 degree bend (that I've found).

(I have an extra set of bolts, washers, and the C5/C6 end links if you want to buy them off me--I found out the hard way that they're no good for the rear end)

3. If you decide to go with adjustable end links, you only have two options: PowerGrid and LG.

http://www.powergridinc.com/swaybar.asp

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-Motorsports-C5-C6-HD-Quiet-End-Link-Kit-/320746127952?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4aadf58250&vxp=mtr

(you can also look up LG online, but their website is temporarily down)

They make those for the KW's.

The ? is the mounting to frame distance , hole to hole.

I used a PADFT which is no longer available.

You will get to the point of either removing or replacing or modifying the OEM for the KW's anyway.

Just got the sway bars, and kw's mounted, and it's like driving a whole new car. Frankly I'm amazed by the change, still waiting on the 8.8. Heavy, I know see exactly what you mean by this, and I will hopefully find a piece that fits by the time my 8.8 comes in.

Just got the sway bars, and kw's mounted, and it's like driving a whole new car. Frankly I'm amazed by the change, still waiting on the 8.8. Heavy, I know see exactly what you mean by this, and I will hopefully find a piece that fits by the time my 8.8 comes in.

Are these your impressions coming from the stock FE4 shocks and springs, with stock sway bars, at stock ride height?

Yes, so of course it's a world of difference. Handling wise, it is very reminiscent of my buddy's Lotus Evora. I will say that new upper rear shock mounts are a must.

Yes, so of course it's a world of difference. Handling wise, it is very reminiscent of my buddy's Lotus Evora. I will say that new upper rear shock mounts are a must.

Is that something that came with the KW Variant 3's, or did you experiment with the AST spherical upper mounts (http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_8_162&products_id=486&osCsid=5bb35585306122d697f7755e7afcd815) that everyone has been looking wistfully at?

No I still need the mounts, the oem's work but they have an interesting soundtrack with the KW's. I will be calling AST on monday after I do some measuring.

No I still need the mounts, the oem's work but they have an interesting soundtrack with the KW's. I will be calling AST on monday after I do some measuring.

What kind of sound are you hearing? Clicky? Squeaky?

It's a pronounced squeak, but only when I hit a serious bump, or speed bump.

It's a pronounced squeak, but only when I hit a serious bump, or speed bump.

Did you have to reuse part of the upper shock mount during this installation? I had the same issue when I was messing with my Ground Control kit, and it turned out that I simply needed to tighten down the top shock nut a whole lot more than originally I thought was sufficient.

Is that something that came with the KW Variant 3's, or did you experiment with the AST spherical upper mounts (http://www.vorshlag.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_8_162&products_id=486&osCsid=5bb35585306122d697f7755e7afcd815) that everyone has been looking wistfully at?

It is quite a subtle difference when you remove the rubber crap and make the suspension "work".

Like I said, you take that comfy/cushy Cadillac and turn it into a go-cart.

WHOO HOO!

There is also this place:

http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/S_BUSH/RSM.html

They have a stiffer rubber insert, but I think a spherical could be made to fit.

Youch! $100!

Thanks folks, this is why I love this forum. Come monday I will be taking measurements and making phone calls. In reply to your question Fuzzy, the stock upper mounts were reused.

Well gentlemen I found the underlying cause of my squeaking problem. The rear shock top mounts are not in a fixed position. The picture shows the mount when the car is on the ground, If I jack up the rear the shaft will slide down and look like it is mounted properly. This means I am getting no dampening whatsoever from the shock, and it is just sliding up and down as the wheel travels vertically when hitting a bump giving the pronounced squeaking. Did I miss a blocking plate or fastener? Or ar my mounts just shot to shit?

Edit: after further inspection and tinkering I have found that I am missing a washer/spacer that keeps the shock in place. Some krafty kraut is laughing at me in Germany, holding my washers/ spacers.

http://www.c5racer.com/catalog/corvette-c5-c6-z06-zr1/suspension-corvette/c5-suspension-upgrades/pfadt-sport-shock-optional-upper-mounts-corvette-c6z06.html?gclid=CP_iztyI9LEC

For those wanting the pfadt bushings does anybody know if this is legitimate stock?