The questions are whether the FE3 in the GXP has those same short springs/spacers or if GM either gave the GXP longer springs or found a way to ship the cars without the additional spacers. If the GXP also has the spacers then the Z0K TSB will need to be extended to cover the GXP as well (how's that for a bunch of TLA's in one post, GXP, Z0K, FE3 and TSB, LOL)
Let me check...
There is definately a 1/4" or so blue plastic spacer at the top of the spring (only checked the LF) that is between the spring and the housing.
(and it felt good to finally touch the car in an autocross sort of way)
OK so i've done some research on the GXP Solstice VS the Honda S2000 (which is what I ran before). And I have reached some interesting conclusions:
First I think the GXPs are relatively softly sprung (175/225 lb/in F/R), especially compared to the MY00 S2000 (218/291) however I think that the stock GXP shocks are better damped than the stock S2000 shocks.
Also, the GXP has a significantly larger front bar than any stock S2000 (33.4 vs 28.4).
What this has lead me to believe is that the GXP, especially when compared to the S2000 is softly sprung but more firmly damped; this is a good reciepe for very secure handling; coupled with the large tires we can run (245/285) and you also have a car that has significantly better mid-turn grip than the S2000 but maybe not as good at tranisient response.
Obvisouly this discussion only applies to Stock Class autoXers, but it is interesting. I think that the car will benefit from adjustable shocks, mostly because I'll want to dial in some rotation; however with the large stock bar, I will most likely not need to do the radical alignments we did on the S2000.
__________________
If you can't be a good example, be a terrible warning!
---------------------------------------------------
Current Stable:
1998 Toyota FJ62 "Bruce"
2006 VW Mk5 GTI DSG "Ingraine"
2007 Mean GXP, Team Zissou!
OK so i've done some research on the GXP Solstice VS the Honda S2000 (which is what I ran before). And I have reached some interesting conclusions:
First I think the GXPs are relatively softly sprung (175/225 lb/in F/R), especially compared to the MY00 S2000 (218/291) however I think that the stock GXP shocks are better damped than the stock S2000 shocks.
Also, the GXP has a significantly larger front bar than any stock S2000 (33.4 vs 28.4).
What this has lead me to believe is that the GXP, especially when compared to the S2000 is softly sprung but more firmly damped; this is a good reciepe for very secure handling; coupled with the large tires we can run (245/285) and you also have a car that has significantly better mid-turn grip than the S2000 but maybe not as good at tranisient response.
Obvisouly this discussion only applies to Stock Class autoXers, but it is interesting. I think that the car will benefit from adjustable shocks, mostly because I'll want to dial in some rotation; however with the large stock bar, I will most likely not need to do the radical alignments we did on the S2000.
Apples and Oranges.... There are a ton a variables. The motion ratio, where are the spring/suspension pick up points on each car? What is the length of the A Arm? Are both swaybars solid or hollow? If they are hollow what is the wall thickness of each? How long is the lever arm on each bar? Where does it attach on each car?
You can not just look at springs, bars and shocks and come up with any kind of conclusion unless they all attach in the same spot and fashion on each car. A car with softer spring rates may actually be stiffer due to the motion ratio of the suspension.
Also keep in mind the the weight of each car, both sprung and unsprung are a factor.
Aside from that a stock class autox car can change the front bar and shocks, so if one is better from the factory or not is not an issue.
I think your missing my point; I know all of that, and I'm not discussing the inherent differences between the suspension designs (which in many ways are very similar). I'm simply comparing what is clearly a difference in philosophy between the design of the S2000 and that of the Solstice.
And you are absolutely right, given my stock class asperations, all of this is mute if one is inherantly better than the other.
__________________
If you can't be a good example, be a terrible warning!
---------------------------------------------------
Current Stable:
1998 Toyota FJ62 "Bruce"
2006 VW Mk5 GTI DSG "Ingraine"
2007 Mean GXP, Team Zissou!
I will also say this, the suspension designs between the S2000 and the Solstice are surprising similar, except that the Sols suspension peices are significantly larger - especially the lower control arm; i believe this leads to its superior suspension geometry.
__________________
If you can't be a good example, be a terrible warning!
---------------------------------------------------
Current Stable:
1998 Toyota FJ62 "Bruce"
2006 VW Mk5 GTI DSG "Ingraine"
2007 Mean GXP, Team Zissou!
Actually at this point in time the suspensions would not be identical because of the TSB that allows '06 Z0K owners to remove the spacers in the suspension which would not apply to the GXP at this point. Of course that's assuming that the '06 Z0K FE3 package is the same as the '07 GXP's suspension. Does anyone know if the same spacers come with the GXP and if so whether there is a TSB that allows them to be removed?
I am wondering the same thing. Someone mentioned to me in the past that the GXP comes with spacers and that removing them would lower the car a bit and improve handling. Wonder if this is true...
I have looked at mine and did not see any spacers.
__________________ Aggressive GXP at $25,995.00 shipping of $600, Manual Transmission.
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I am wondering the same thing. Someone mentioned to me in the past that the GXP comes with spacers and that removing them would lower the car a bit and improve handling. Wonder if this is true...
There are spacers on the car during transportation that are removed once delivered.
