I got a 93 GXE and I hate those soft springs and the bouncy ride!! SO i went to a local junk yard and found a SE model and took the struts off of it, and put them on my GXE, and WOW what a difference it made!! The SE model springs are much larger than those on the gxe and acceleration is much more responsive, as well as handling, and cornering!! I was wondering if swapping the sway bars would make a difference also, and if there is anything different about the SE VS the GXE sway bar??

 

It may not be the springs. It may be the struts. I replaced my front & backs last month (New KYB in Front, Sachs in Back) and used the OEM springs again, and the ride is stiff as hell, and feels like it did way back in the day.

 

Yes, the SE's springs are a bit stiffer and a tiny bit shorter then the gxe springs. The oem se struts did come with a bit more dampening rate vs. the gxe also. though i don't think this is what you are experiencing by swapping out your struts, you most likely had extremely worn out rear struts to begin with, hence the feeling of the used replacements being better. The rear sway bar on the se's are also a bit larger compared to the gxe's.

 

Just swap anything u find from SE.










Everything is better on SE

 

If you have the cash get a set of aftermarket swaybars and call it a day.

 

couldn't agree with you more. i still need to replace my rear sway bar everything else is aftermarket minus the rear sway bar. Big difference when all is installed.

 

soo... rear sway bar in the SE is stiffer/beefier you say?, I just started driving my max again. Was driving the gf's E36 for the past few months, and i really like how stiff the actual steering response is. not as buttery as the max. will getting a thicker front sway bar result in a stiffer feeling @ the steering wheel or just better steering response+stability or both? i already have the ES poly CA bushings and a front strut tower bar. but i like the feeling of a small tight steering wheel.

 

I third this statement. Forget the hollow front and weak 1/2" rear. Get aftermarket and really feel a difference.

 

If you really are wanting to stiffen the chassis, upgrading to poly bushings is a GREAT, as well as affordable mod...