08-17-2013, 01:11 PM | #1 |
Drives: TwinTurbo 2012 IOM Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: OH
Posts: 140
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Need help with suspension upgrade (experience and opinions)
Hello everyone. I have gotten a lot of help from the vendors on here but now am looking for help from my fellow forum members. Please give me your option on my options as well as if you have done the same thing.
Let me start by outlining what I am looking for. I want to upgrade my suspension for my new found power level of around 600rwhp. I do not auto-x or take the car to the drag stip and I do not want to drop the car very much. I plan on keeping it around oem ride height or maybe 0.5 drop. I want something that will support my power level, reduce wheel hop, and leave my ride quality oem or better.I am looking for an upgrade on handling for spirited street driving as well. Pretty much a better feeling ride. I got the chance to drive a ZL1 and felt the difference. Now I know the SS is not to that level but hope to close the gap somewhat. So in short I hope to: Uprade handling for spirited driving Reduce wheel hop Reduce body roll Keep oem or better ride quality Replace the week points in the FE4 suspension Have a strong foundation for 600rwhp. Now here are the parts I am considering in order: 27/32mm swaybar set Subframe bushing Radius bushing inserts Upper control arm bushings ZL1 Toe rods Trailing arms with bushings Xa coilovers Alignment Bolt kit Now here are some of the questions I am hoping to answer: If you have done how has the items changed your vehicle both good and bad? How has oem ride quality changed? Over bumps and rough roads? What parts would I notice the best "bang for my buck"? What parts would you recommend getting for a fair weather fun car that doesn't need every performance or handling advantage possible? Would coilovers be overkill or a waste of money for what I am looking to get out of my car? Again no track use in mind. Thanks for any help. Last edited by Andymon; 08-18-2013 at 09:05 PM. |
08-17-2013, 01:49 PM | #2 |
Drives: Varies Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Costa Mesa, CA
Posts: 2,182
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I know you asked for some Members help but I wanted to also throw in my suggestion.
Pfadt Stage 3 kit!! http://store.pfadtracing.com/camaro-...e-kit-stage-3/ This kit has pretty much everything you need. It stabilizes the rear end during hard launches, plants the power to the ground, eliminates wheel hop, and limits alignment changes that typically takes place under load. We just installed this kit on a Whipple Supercharged SS and I have to say, it was a completely different ride! PM or Call me with any questions. Thanks JT |
08-17-2013, 01:54 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,086
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You asked about best bang for your buck. If you're not hitting the track, your list looks like a pretty expensive upgrade and it would probably be overkill if you did everything.
You could probably reduce the list just to lowering springs and a rear sway bar. Maybe add a couple of bushings for the 600 RWHP, not sure which would be best. Since you're looking for OEM or better ride quality, try to find springs that are not too low or too stiff (they go together). In any event, you will end up with a stiffer ride and it won't be as good as OEM ride quality. But the reward is better performance. My Camaro's primary purpose is the road course, so I am springing for Supercar coilovers, but that was a hard decision. A lot of labor and expensive parts. If I didn't track, I wouldn't do coilovers.
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Sold but not forgotten! Pedders Supercar Coilovers, 32mm rear sway bar,bushings; APR wing and splitter
Forged 416 road course stroker. 514 RWHP, 497 RW Ft-Lb 1 Camaro, 75 Vipers: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393697 Buttonwillow Raceway: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389086 |
08-17-2013, 01:56 PM | #4 | |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,086
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Quote:
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Sold but not forgotten! Pedders Supercar Coilovers, 32mm rear sway bar,bushings; APR wing and splitter
Forged 416 road course stroker. 514 RWHP, 497 RW Ft-Lb 1 Camaro, 75 Vipers: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393697 Buttonwillow Raceway: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389086 |
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08-17-2013, 02:01 PM | #5 |
Drives: TwinTurbo 2012 IOM Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: OH
Posts: 140
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I would do coilovers before lowering springs. I don't want that much of a drop. Also would probably go the pedders cradle bushings over a solid one.
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08-17-2013, 02:07 PM | #6 |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,086
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The ZL1 springs lower the car but not as much as the typical lowering springs. Worth looking into. Just make sure you price the labor too, I had sticker shock when I found out how much it costs to have coilovers/bushings/sway bar done by a reputable shop. I guess it depends on budget. If you have a big budget, coilovers are the best solution.
__________________
Sold but not forgotten! Pedders Supercar Coilovers, 32mm rear sway bar,bushings; APR wing and splitter
Forged 416 road course stroker. 514 RWHP, 497 RW Ft-Lb 1 Camaro, 75 Vipers: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393697 Buttonwillow Raceway: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389086 |
08-17-2013, 02:38 PM | #7 | |
Drives: TwinTurbo 2012 IOM Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: OH
Posts: 140
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Quote:
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08-17-2013, 02:56 PM | #8 | |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 1,086
|
Quote:
__________________
Sold but not forgotten! Pedders Supercar Coilovers, 32mm rear sway bar,bushings; APR wing and splitter
Forged 416 road course stroker. 514 RWHP, 497 RW Ft-Lb 1 Camaro, 75 Vipers: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=393697 Buttonwillow Raceway: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=389086 |
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08-17-2013, 03:03 PM | #9 |
Drives: TwinTurbo 2012 IOM Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: OH
Posts: 140
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08-17-2013, 09:31 PM | #10 |
Negative Camber Junkie
Drives: 2010 1SS LS3/6MN ABM 1 of 23 Join Date: May 2009
Location: ChiTown, IL
Posts: 1,824
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Andy,
Have you read this yet? http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...s+5th+gen+book Start there. Then call Bruce at Raymonds Performance in Indy, since he is the closest to OH, and talk to him about your goals. He is a vendor on here. http://www.raymondsperformance.com/ T.
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"Horsepower is something that looks great in a Magazine article, but suspension is what actually gets you around the track fast.." Jack Olsen
The drag strip is like sniffing glue, it's cheap, it's a decent buzz, it doesn't last long and they are all the same. Road racing is like China White Heroin, the buzz is stronger, the high lasts for hours, it's extremely addictive and they are all different. I can't wait for my next Track fix. DA HAWKS OWN DA CUP!!!!! |
08-17-2013, 09:51 PM | #11 | |
Drives: TwinTurbo 2012 IOM Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: OH
Posts: 140
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08-17-2013, 10:32 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2010 Cyber Grey Camaro SS (LS3) Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Clarksville TN
Posts: 2,275
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I think the simple answer to that question is no, to be honest. For someone who only does spirited street driving, a few bushings, springs, and sways are more than enough for street duty.
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GPI SS3 Cam / PRC 255 heads / Forged 376ci bottom / Fore level 2 fuel system / D1SC ProCharger on 12lbs / Alky control dual nozzle / 770 whp / 649 wtq tuned by Ryan Stevens at GPI
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08-18-2013, 12:17 AM | #13 |
Drives: TwinTurbo 2012 IOM Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: OH
Posts: 140
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And that's what I was looking for. I am not getting springs so I guess I should leave the stock stuff alone.
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08-18-2013, 09:51 AM | #14 |
Drives: TwinTurbo 2012 IOM Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: OH
Posts: 140
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Any other input?
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