Drop springs detrimental to your shocks?

[Revo1]

Was talkin to J earlier about the advantages of coilovers VS springs, and he motioned that some people have experienced shortened shock lifespan as a result of adding lowering springs to their ride... Anyone experience this? I'd love a set of coilovers, but my mod budget would require some real saving to accomplish that, and pulling a set off by April is just not gonna happen. SO, what do i do? Do I pick up springs/sways before the Fest and hope my shocks don't pay the price? Or do I hit the track stock and hope I don't roll the beast?

[SSOOCH]

Funny that you post this now. SUPRBAD is down at JDP Motorsports right now getting PFADT drop springs installed.

[Revo1]

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

Funny that you post this now. SUPRBAD is down at JDP Motorsports right now getting PFADT drop springs installed.

Yes, I are guilty of timing fail




Let me know how you like em, I'm really hoping that no one responds 'cuase I'd like to have some solidity in my chassis before the Fest!

[camarowa]

This is the response that Pfadtracing posted when we discussed the same question:

"Thanks guys for recommending our Lowering Springs! There will be a bit of a change in the handling of your car after the installation of lowering springs, the biggest reason for this is the increased spring rate. After the installation of lowering springs you will notice a more balanced feel in hard cornering, and a more aggressive stance while standing still. Even with the increase in spring rate, our springs were designed for use with your stock GM shocks and will still provide a long service life. As many have reported here on the forums, ride quality does not suffer at all with the installation of our drop springs."

[Revo1]

Hmmmmm... When he says "long service life" is he referring to the shocks or springs?

[Apex Motorsports]

Originally Posted by Revo1

Hmmmmm... When he says "long service life" is he referring to the shocks or springs?

The spring rate and ride height of the Pfadt lowering springs were selected to optimize and compliment the function of the stock dampers. You can experience significantly shortened damper service life if you go with a lowering spring that lowers the car too much (1.5 inch +) but with Pfadt springs you will not have that problem.

[wbdinger]

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

The spring rate and ride height of the Pfadt lowering springs were selected to optimize and compliment the function of the stock dampers. You can experience significantly shortened damper service life if you go with a lowering spring that lowers the car too much (1.5 inch +) but with Pfadt springs you will not have that problem.

[Jay_LHD3]

I’m no engineer, but wouldn't the shocks do less "work" with stiffer springs. With the factory springs the nose of the car shot up a foot every time I accelerated.

[JusticePete]

Those that experience less life in their struts have installed a coil set that is allowing too much compression and damage to the foot valve. The other reasons that the hydraulics would fail are damage to the strut shaft during the new coil installation or to the seals and internals from spinning the shaft with an air gun.

Scratches on the strut shaft will damage the seal. Damage the seal and the unit will fail. The quench, the resistance on the strut retaining nut is very high from the factory. Reinstalling the top nut because of this resistance can be a real problem. Hammering away with an air gun while the shaft endlessly rotates can cause all kinds of issues. While I believe that Pedders lowering coils are the best choice for a 5th Gen out of all the available lowering coils, I don't know of a single reputable company that sells a 5th Gen coils that will damage the foot valve.

All you had to do was get married at C5Fest and you could have had a full suspension as a wedding gift. What were you thinking?

[PfadtRacing]

Thanks for the interest in our springs! Looks like what needs to be covered here has already been covered. Just to reiterate, Pfadt lowering springs were specifically designed to work with the stock Camaro shocks and will provide a long service life.

If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask!

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by Revo1

Was talkin to J earlier about the advantages of coilovers VS springs, and he motioned that some people have experienced shortened shock lifespan as a result of adding lowering springs to their ride... Anyone experience this? I'd love a set of coilovers, but my mod budget would require some real saving to accomplish that, and pulling a set off by April is just not gonna happen. SO, what do i do? Do I pick up springs/sways before the Fest and hope my shocks don't pay the price? Or do I hit the track stock and hope I don't roll the beast?

Your answer lies in your overall plan and use of your 5th Gen.

When you say hit the track are you auto-crossing, HPDE or drag strip?
Do you plan to track you car often?
What engine, brake and wheel mods do you have planned?

[ssmike]

Revo 1, suggestion, do the lowering springs now and then in a year or 2 when you have the money saved upgrade to coilovers! Springs are relatively cheap and you can get it done by C5fest!

[Revo1]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

Those that experience less life in their struts have installed a coil set that is allowing too much compression and damage to the foot valve. The other reasons that the hydraulics would fail are damage to the strut shaft during the new coil installation or to the seals and internals from spinning the shaft with an air gun.

Scratches on the strut shaft will damage the seal. Damage the seal and the unit will fail. The quench, the resistance on the strut retaining nut is very high from the factory. Reinstalling the top nut because of this resistance can be a real problem. Hammering away with an air gun while the shaft endlessly rotates can cause all kinds of issues. While I believe that Pedders lowering coils are the best choice for a 5th Gen out of all the available lowering coils, I don't know of a single reputable company that sells a 5th Gen coils that will damage the foot valve.

All you had to do was get married at C5Fest and you could have had a full suspension as a wedding gift. What were you thinking?

Doh! And I just got engaged!

[Revo1]

Originally Posted by ssmike

Revo 1, suggestion, do the lowering springs now and then in a year or 2 when you have the money saved upgrade to coilovers! Springs are relatively cheap and you can get it done by C5fest!

This! The springs I'm looking at are 1.2" drop, so nothing too drastic. Hopefully I'll be able to pull them off and replace with coilovers before too long. If I can't get my hands on coilovers within a year, would it be smart to re-install my stock springs?