FE2 SUSPENSION ON "S" PACK?

[Alexio]

i just wanna clarify whether the S pack has the FE2 suspension?
and what are the actual differences.

ive read somewhere else that it is 2 inches lower, this cant be true can it?

cheers guys

[mixin]

The S pack does, and it is around 30-40mm lower depending on the model.

Differences consist of springs, sometimes different bushes (voided or unvoided, or rotated - mainly in the VL/VN/VP FE2), shorter shock height, and different swaybars (sometimes thinner even!).

It all depends on the model as to what was & wasn't changed.

[BLACK346]

Pretty sure the S Pack doesn't come standard with FE2,
but can be ordered with FE2. Happy to be proven wrong
though.

[Rufus®]

If you want to know weather or not your car has it, look at the compliance plate on the Firewall (I Think, CBF walking out to my car :P), inside the engine bay, it will have FE2 or standard (or similar) printed on it.

[B J]

Its stated on the plate located on the cross memeber in front of the radiator. It will be stamped with FE2 if it was built with FE2.

[cliffo78]

Spot on MIXIN. All "S" models have FE2 suspension as standard equipment. The plate will read "FE2" on any Commodore that rolled off the assembly line as an "S".

[Alexio]

thanks heaps fellas, but why wouldit have THINNER sway bars??

and i hear they use king springs for the FE2??

cheers boys, ill go check the VIN plate now

[mixin]

Stiffer springs = less traction.
Fatter swaybars = less traction.

The stiffer FE2 springs resist body roll better, thus lessening the need for excessive stiffness in the swaybars, and thinner swaybars help traction (rear).

It's a compromise/balance between them.

[Lord-Data]

I will actually check my plate tomorrow, but curious, did the VT II Calais have FE2 fitted as normal? my calais seems to sit lower than my mates 50th edition VT, but appears to be stock in every way .. Wonder if that suggests its FE2 fitted?

[cliffo78]

As mentioned above, the options plate on the right hand side (I think) of the radiator support panel should have a category "SUSP" and should either have "FE2" or "STD" indicating FE2 or standard height suspension factory fitted. I guess if it was optioned with superlift, self levelling or country pack suspension then it may have a different code.

[Lord-Data]

Hmm.. the calais has self leveling, i know that .. lol.. I know its on the plates, but I'm not going out to look at this time of night Was just wondering if anyone knew ..

[chippy]

Only the sports models came with FE2 (s,ss,and all of the hsv) unless it was specialy ordered from the factory or thay released special model then it would have it on the conpliance place. It will have one of two thing, FE2 for sport or STD for standard. The heigth for FE2 is about 1in lower from standard and a stiffer spring to take the body roll out and give you a much nicer ride then to drive one with standard suspension that makes you feel like you are driving on air

[cliffo78]

Standard specification for VT Calais series 1 and 2 was standard height, FE2 was optional. From VY series II, Calais was fitted with FE1.5 (low but not as low as FE2) as standard and could be optioned with FE2 or standard height.

FE2 is (on average) 2" lower than standard height. FE 1.5 is (on average) 1.5" lower than standard. I learned this from another JC thread.

[Lord-Data]

Ahh cool .. very interesting .. as I said .. i'll check the complaince plate.. its just weird because my car sits lower than my mates, but ah well, maybe its just a calais thing

[mixin]

FE2 is (on average) 2" lower than standard height. FE 1.5 is (on average) 1.5" lower than standard. I learned this from another JC thread.

So does that mean FE7 fitted to the TransAm & Camaros is 7" lower? I think not!!!!

There is no such thing as "FE1.5"

Nor does FE2 mean 2" lower, and "1.5" mean 1.5" lower......

Can you show it to me on the production option charts, because I can't find it?
I have them all from VB-VN in front of me, and I got VR-VZ off Commodorenut, and there is not one PO that is NOT 3 characters long.

Holden, following GM tradition, use a 3 character "Production Option" number. FE2 simply means "sports suspension" although over the models it has varied in description from "special handling suspension" "heavy duty sports suspension" and a few other descriptions that all mean the same thing.

Just as LS8, LS1, M21, M30, V5W, XU1, L34, A9X, BT1 are all Production Options - notice the trend? All are THREE characters long, not 5.

The thread that had that in it was total crap, and because someone posted it, everyone believes it. Almost as good as the special cop chips & changing out of the hot motors before public sale - no wait, this ones an even funnier urban legend, started right on here!
The admin or moderators of the forum should have at least deleted that thread after they were informed of it's erroneous information. It was actually pointed out in the thread by an ex-member of here but nobody wanted to listen....

These are the actual listed suspension options for VY & VZ.
FE1 = Suspension System, Soft ride.
FE2 = Suspension System, Ride/Handling
FR1 = Suspension System, F/R High Height, Country package. (This is the old V5W)
FX3 = Ride & Handling Automatic Electronic controlled.

[Alexio]

hahaha ur a classic mixin

[cliffo78]

MIXIN, I stand corrected. "FE1.5" is that term given to the standard VY II and VZ Calais suspension setup. I agree that it wouldn't be a PO code (from your post it appears that "FE1" is the correct code), but in general Holden and automotive journalists have used FE1.5 to describe the Calais setup as opposed to the FE2 option available on all other models (with the exception of Acclaim).

And yes I also agree that misleading posts should be deleted !

[Redfox]

I think you will find that VT Calais Series 2's came with FE2 standard.

[Alexio]

you sure? my dads got a VX II Calais and on the compliance plate, suspension is labelled as STD ay

[RKZ234]

[QUOTE=mixin]

There is no such thing as "FE1.5"

Nor does FE2 mean 2" lower, and "1.5" mean 1.5" lower...... QUOTE]



FE1.5 IS REAL. I don't know how it is coded on the ID plate, but again FE1.5 DOES EXIST.

It was an option from VY2 Calais and is the new suspension rating on the WL Caprice, whilst the Statesman receives standard suspension.

In the case of FE2 the 2 relates to the spring rate being 20% stiffer than standard and in the case of FE1.5 15% stiffer than standard.

[RKZ234]

I think you will find that VT Calais Series 2's came with FE2 standard.

FE2 has only ever been standard on S and SS and optional on all other models.

[Lord-Data]

I think you will find that VT Calais Series 2's came with FE2 standard.

Checked mine today .. STD for suspension .. must be part of the self leveling stuff that makes it a tad lower perhaps .. weird .. either way, its def labelled as "STD" on my Series II S/C VT Calais..

[chippy]

The springs could have sagged over time and may bring the car to sit a little lower than it youse to

[Lord-Data]

Perhaps .. no mention of it on inspection when I bougth the car tho, and its ride comfort is second to no other car i've ever driven, so it can't be too bad

[fixedit]

F46 chassis all wheel drive (awd)
fe1 suspension system soft ride
fe2 suspension system ride handling
fr1 high height country pack suspension system front and rear
fx3 electronic controlled automatic ride and handling