Lowering the camaro - what's going to happen? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

seeknay2000 · 11-30-2008, 11:24 AM

I'm thinking of lowering the camaro - not sure, maybe 1-1.5". I like the lower look, I think it's real bad-ass, just my opinion. My question is how does lowering a car effect the suspension/performance/handling? Is it a good idea or not? How should I lower it?

I don't like the idea of having "bags" on the car but it is a possibility so I can raise it when I need to. I live in Philly (anybody who's been there knows of the potholes - the streets are almost like off-road streets). My main concern is I want to lower it without spending a lot of money, but I also don't want it to negativley affect the performance or handling. For me this car is performance 1st, looks 2nd.

Thanks for you help!

blackZbandit · 11-30-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeknay2000

I'm thinking of lowering the camaro - not sure, maybe 2-3". I like the lower look, I think it's real bad-ass, just my opinion. My question is how does lowering a car effect the suspension/performance/handling? Is it a good idea or not? How should I lower it?

I don't like the idea of having "bags" on the car but it is a possibility so I can raise it when I need to. I live in Philly (anybody who's been there knows of the potholes - the streets are almost like off-road streets). My main concern is I want to lower it without spending a lot of money, but I also don't want it to negativley affect the performance or handling. For me this car is performance 1st, looks 2nd.

Thanks for you help!

The car is already pretty low, much lower in person than pictures show. At 3" your clearance is going to be complete ass... scraped ass that is!

TRIXXTERR · 11-30-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackZbandit

The car is already pretty low, much lower in person than pictures show. At 3" your clearance is going to be complete ass... scraped ass that is!

True.. I Was @ INDY I was Shocked at How Low These Sit From The Factory. I Doubt You Will Want To lower it Once You Get it..

Plus With those HUGE Rims/Rubber you dont have a lot of room to play with if i remember right..

*CamaroSpike23* · 11-30-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

I want to lower it without spending a lot of money, but I also don't want it to negativley affect the performance or handling

.............

2-3" ? do you want it to set on the ground? this isnt a 67 impala now....

seeknay2000 · 11-30-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

.............

2-3" ? do you want it to set on the ground? this isnt a 67 impala now....

Not on the ground, maybe a little above. lol. I honestly have no idea - If blackzbandit is right and it is really low then I won't lower it. I just can't imagine Camaro making it really low off the production line. I'll have to wait and see, mabye only 1.5 inches, maybe nothing at all. Not really sure yet!

haulass350 · 11-30-2008, 03:37 PM

most of the kits are .5 inchs to maybe 1.5inch at the most, with a full kit your get rid of alot of the body roll from the factory suspension, and will be able to corner alot flatter and quicker, steering response should feel quicker too. although you sacrifice the ride quality somewhat it will still be good depending on how firm you set it up but you wont like hiting potholes or speedbumps with it.

this is a different car but heres the only example i can give you, my friend has a infiniti G35(stock suspension) and took it to a autox course instead of his normal car a 240sx(all aftermarket suspension), either way the g35 had so much roll in it the front bumper was scrubbing on the hard corners. but it rides so smooth with normal driving. his 240sx however drives almost perfectly flat around every corner but damn near beats my brains out on the interstate or any road that isnt perfect.

nUcLeArEnVoY · 11-30-2008, 03:41 PM

3 inches will give your undercarriage a very intimate relationship with the asphalt that you could do without. I am going to lower mine, but only in the front. It still won't be by much considering how low they are straight off the conveyor belt.

Lex · 11-30-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeknay2000

Lowering the Camaro... Whats going to happen

ummm... its going to get lower and the ride quality is going to get worse

TheClassicCarKid · 11-30-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex

ummm... its going to get lower and the ride quality is going to get worse

*CamaroSpike23* · 11-30-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex

ummm... its going to get lower and the ride quality is going to get worse

if not done correctly.

blackZbandit · 11-30-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeknay2000

Not on the ground, maybe a little above. lol. I honestly have no idea - If blackzbandit is right and it is really low then I won't lower it. I just can't imagine Camaro making it really low off the production line. I'll have to wait and see, mabye only 1.5 inches, maybe nothing at all. Not really sure yet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nUcLeArEnVoY

3 inches will give your undercarriage a very intimate relationship with the asphalt that you could do without. I am going to lower mine, but only in the front. It still won't be by much considering how low they are straight off the conveyor belt.

After seeing it in person I decided I'll probably drop mine either 1", or .5" in the back and 1" - 1.5" (which is realy pushing it) in the front. 2" - 3"?

If you lower it an inch your handling will definitely improve, but as others have said the ride will be a bit harsher - the shorter your springs the stiffer they have to be. Or you could use drop spindles but that's $$.

seeknay2000 · 11-30-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackZbandit

After seeing it in person I decided I'll probably drop mine either 1", or .5" in the back and 1" - 1.5" (which is realy pushing it) in the front. 2" - 3"?

If you lower it an inch your handling will definitely improve, but as others have said the ride will be a bit harsher - the shorter your springs the stiffer they have to be. Or you could use drop spindles but that's $$.

Please note that I edited my original post to 1-1.5" - I now realize that's more reasonable. I haven't seen it in person, only pictures. Some of the pics I've seen it looks like you can lower it 2" and be okay. Thanks for all the imput - do you guys have any recommendations for actually lowering it? How much I lower it really isn't a concern yet b/c when I see the car in person I'll know exactly how much to lower it!

blackZbandit · 12-01-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeknay2000

Please note that I edited my original post to 1-1.5" - I now realize that's more reasonable. I haven't seen it in person, only pictures. Some of the pics I've seen it looks like you can lower it 2" and be okay. Thanks for all the imput - do you guys have any recommendations for actually lowering it? How much I lower it really isn't a concern yet b/c when I see the car in person I'll know exactly how much to lower it!

The guys from Pedder's that post on here have a lowering kit in the works, a Stage 1 kit I beleive (

) but that may be more than what you're looking to spend. You can always go with some Eibach lowering springs which are a relatively cheap and quality fix, or like I suggested before, drop spindles (if they're made for the Camaro) but they also = $$.

If I got anything wrong or left anything out anybody feel free to correct me... still learning myself!

*GTAHVIT* · 12-01-2008, 02:10 PM

^you pretty much got it right.

11-30-2008, 11:24 AM	#1
seeknay2000 Drives: 1978 Z28, 1987 Suburb Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 143	Lowering the camaro - what's going to happen? I'm thinking of lowering the camaro - not sure, maybe 1-1.5". I like the lower look, I think it's real bad-ass, just my opinion. My question is how does lowering a car effect the suspension/performance/handling? Is it a good idea or not? How should I lower it? I don't like the idea of having "bags" on the car but it is a possibility so I can raise it when I need to. I live in Philly (anybody who's been there knows of the potholes - the streets are almost like off-road streets). My main concern is I want to lower it without spending a lot of money, but I also don't want it to negativley affect the performance or handling. For me this car is performance 1st, looks 2nd. Thanks for you help! __________________ Last edited by seeknay2000; 11-30-2008 at 03:44 PM.

12-01-2008, 02:10 PM	#14
GTAHVIT Blessed Drives: 2013 Sonic RS MT Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saint Augustine FL Posts: 28,444 View My Garage	^you pretty much got it right. __________________ Click image to see build thread. PQ - "the love of cars. It's a boys first step toward manhood and a mans last hold on boyhood." Fbodfather - "We do not want to use the Z28 moniker on a car that does not deserve this hallowed name." The_Blur - "Let's not confuse competitors with equals."

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Camaro Laws	ChevyNut	Off-topic Discussions	107	11-09-2016 05:40 PM
The new Camaro V6 might be the best model of the entire lineup!	Mr. Wyndham	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	101	12-21-2010 07:48 PM
GM memo to dealers	Moose	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	41	02-04-2010 07:33 PM
UPCOMING CAMARO IMPORTANT DATES	CamaroScotty	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	125	01-11-2009 12:31 AM
"2010 Camaro: Just a heartbeat away" - Scripps News 11/13/08	Rallyman6	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	10	11-16-2008 01:55 PM

11-30-2008, 03:37 PM	#6
haulass350 Drives: 97 silverado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 138	most of the kits are .5 inchs to maybe 1.5inch at the most, with a full kit your get rid of alot of the body roll from the factory suspension, and will be able to corner alot flatter and quicker, steering response should feel quicker too. although you sacrifice the ride quality somewhat it will still be good depending on how firm you set it up but you wont like hiting potholes or speedbumps with it. this is a different car but heres the only example i can give you, my friend has a infiniti G35(stock suspension) and took it to a autox course instead of his normal car a 240sx(all aftermarket suspension), either way the g35 had so much roll in it the front bumper was scrubbing on the hard corners. but it rides so smooth with normal driving. his 240sx however drives almost perfectly flat around every corner but damn near beats my brains out on the interstate or any road that isnt perfect.

11-30-2008, 03:41 PM	#7
nUcLeArEnVoY Oldbie that nobody knows Drives: 2011 1SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Homestead, FL Posts: 3,459 View My Garage	3 inches will give your undercarriage a very intimate relationship with the asphalt that you could do without. I am going to lower mine, but only in the front. It still won't be by much considering how low they are straight off the conveyor belt.