Lowering springs? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Kohdaa · 12-04-2012, 07:09 PM

Are lowering springs good to install or should i wait and install coil overs? What are your guys opinions on each one, Thanks.

Apex Motorsports · 12-04-2012, 07:26 PM

How do you use your car? What are your goals?

323RSTX · 12-04-2012, 07:33 PM

I am looking into also. It will be daily driving on country roads "FM" type with a lots of curves. Sway bars too.

Apex Motorsports · 12-04-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 323RSTX

I am looking into also. It will be daily driving on country roads "FM" type with a lots of curves. Sway bars too.

I am very familiar with the farm roads in Texas. I learned how to drive on those roads.

Coil overs are without a doubt the ultimate option in every way but they are not cheap. A good set of lowering springs will have a firmer ride but will not be hard or harsh in any way and along with sway bars will make those farm roads a lot more fun. If you are not racing or just one of those guys that has to have the absolute best no matter the cost then coil overs probably aren't necessary.

323RSTX · 12-04-2012, 10:12 PM

It will be for fun with no racing, it would be great to have coil overs but the only problem is cash. In a month or 2 I will have enough saved up to get lower springs with sway bars. Thank you for the advice. Any suggestion on a good brand of springs & sway bars?

Apex Motorsports · 12-05-2012, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 323RSTX

It will be for fun with no racing, it would be great to have coil overs but the only problem is cash. In a month or 2 I will have enough saved up to get lower springs with sway bars. Thank you for the advice. Any suggestion on a good brand of springs & sway bars?

I prefer Pfadt and BMR. We have packages for each of them that includes the lowering springs and sway bars and will save you some money. Shoot me a PM or give us a call when you are ready.

323RSTX · 12-05-2012, 06:21 AM

Roger that. Thanks

jeremywes · 12-05-2012, 07:51 AM

I started out with springs and when I couldn't isolate some strange noises I went to adjustable coil-overs and they are 1000% better. Springs tend to be very bouncy because the shock valving was not design to work with spring rate or reduced travel.

If money is not a constraint I would get coil-overs.

Apex Motorsports · 12-05-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremywes

I started out with springs and when I couldn't isolate some strange noises I went to adjustable coil-overs and they are 1000% better. Springs tend to be very bouncy because the shock valving was not design to work with spring rate or reduced travel.

If money is not a constraint I would get coil-overs.

A bouncy ride can also be the result of your bushings not being properly "timed" when the springs were installed.

Hotchkis · 12-05-2012, 04:08 PM

I would definitely take a look at the springs that we offer. Our springs lower the Camaro by 1" all around, giving it a more aggressive stance, lower center of gravity, and better handling without compromising it usability. We also took factory damping rates into account when designing these springs so that you do not end up with a bouncy ride. Typically a good set of lowering springs will actually have a more stock-like ride than coilovers due to the progressive nature of the springs. So if you are looking for the the best combination of looks, handling, and ride quality, then a properly engineered spring is the answer.

Though you may be only starting with springs now, if you decide to keep modifying your suspension we have all of the parts needed to take your suspension from basic to advanced. All of our products are designed and engineered to complement each other so there is no need to worry that parts won't fit or work correctly like when you mix-'n-match.

Check out what Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/12/h...r-than-before/) and Road and Track (http://www.hotchkis.net/_uploaded_fi...5thgen_zz1.pdf) think about our improvements to the 5th Gen Camaro.

Hotchkis · 12-05-2012, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 323RSTX

I am looking into also. It will be daily driving on country roads "FM" type with a lots of curves. Sway bars too.

323RSTX,
If you are looking for a great spring/sway combo then take a look at our Stage 1 Total Vehicle System (TVS). It includes our 1" Sport Lowering Springs along with our adjustable front and rear sway bars.

The spring rates and roll stiffness of the sways are matched together to complement each other perfectly.

jeremywes · 12-06-2012, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

A bouncy ride can also be the result of your bushings not being properly "timed" when the springs were installed.

You are correct. I my case I timed my bushings but still found the springs to be too bouncy over bigger bumps and I had no way to adjust. Some folks seem to love em and they look good.

Rob@WretchedMS · 12-06-2012, 11:21 AM

the decision for springs vs coilovers is always a tough one.

Springs are less expensive, and easier to install, results are mostly good, but sometimes there are people that are not happy with springs.

Coilovers cost more, a bit harder to install, and rarely does someone not get the result they wanted.

my option on the Camaro would be Coilovers if you can afford it, damping can be adjusted, height can be adjusted, and typically provide superior performance to the stock shocks.

flht99b · 12-06-2012, 01:16 PM

Spring, go with BMR 1" drop.
Ed M.

12-04-2012, 07:09 PM	#1
Kohdaa Drives: 2011 Imperial Blue Metall RS Camaro Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Clermont, Fl Posts: 440 View My Garage	Lowering springs? Are lowering springs good to install or should i wait and install coil overs? What are your guys opinions on each one, Thanks. Attached Images __________________

12-05-2012, 04:08 PM	#10
Hotchkis Drives: 1st through 5th gen Camaros Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sante Fe Springs, CA Posts: 458	I would definitely take a look at the springs that we offer. Our springs lower the Camaro by 1" all around, giving it a more aggressive stance, lower center of gravity, and better handling without compromising it usability. We also took factory damping rates into account when designing these springs so that you do not end up with a bouncy ride. Typically a good set of lowering springs will actually have a more stock-like ride than coilovers due to the progressive nature of the springs. So if you are looking for the the best combination of looks, handling, and ride quality, then a properly engineered spring is the answer. Though you may be only starting with springs now, if you decide to keep modifying your suspension we have all of the parts needed to take your suspension from basic to advanced. All of our products are designed and engineered to complement each other so there is no need to worry that parts won't fit or work correctly like when you mix-'n-match. Check out what Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/12/h...r-than-before/) and Road and Track (http://www.hotchkis.net/_uploaded_fi...5thgen_zz1.pdf) think about our improvements to the 5th Gen Camaro. __________________ Toll Free: 877-466-7655 www.hotchkis.net Follow Hotchkis on Facebook or YouTube Join us June 21-22 for the Hotchkis Autocross at the NMCA West event in Fontana, CA Last edited by Hotchkis; 12-05-2012 at 04:55 PM.

12-06-2012, 01:16 PM	#14
flht99b Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS RJT Join Date: May 2009 Location: Knoxville Posts: 1,574 View My Garage	Spring, go with BMR 1" drop. Ed M. __________________ RJT 2SS/RS, AAM 3.70's, MTI Sway Bars, Shifter & SS brake lines, ZLI calipers, rotors & pads, BMR Trailing & Toe Arms, rear cradle & diff bushes, Pedders XA's, Camber/Toe eccentrics, Radius arm inserts, GTO clutch reservoir, LS9 cam, Comp valve springs, Melling 10296 oil pump, CR5 timing chain, LS6 damper, CAI Cold Air Intake, ARH LT headers w/HF cats, GMPP touring axle back, Elite Engineering Catch Can, Forgeline 20x9.5 & 20x11 DS3 whls, 275/40/20 & 315/35/20 tires, 2011 Convertible spoiler, 1LE front spoiler, Lloyd "SS" Floor Mats, GM Camaro Trunk Mat, wrapped console & Grant steering wheel.

12-04-2012, 07:26 PM	#2
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	How do you use your car? What are your goals?

12-04-2012, 07:33 PM	#3
323RSTX Drives: 2012 2LT/RS Victory Red Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 35 View My Garage	I am looking into also. It will be daily driving on country roads "FM" type with a lots of curves. Sway bars too.

12-04-2012, 10:12 PM	#5
323RSTX Drives: 2012 2LT/RS Victory Red Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 35 View My Garage	It will be for fun with no racing, it would be great to have coil overs but the only problem is cash. In a month or 2 I will have enough saved up to get lower springs with sway bars. Thank you for the advice. Any suggestion on a good brand of springs & sway bars?

12-05-2012, 06:21 AM	#7
323RSTX Drives: 2012 2LT/RS Victory Red Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 35 View My Garage	Roger that. Thanks

12-05-2012, 07:51 AM	#8
jeremywes Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 504 View My Garage	I started out with springs and when I couldn't isolate some strange noises I went to adjustable coil-overs and they are 1000% better. Springs tend to be very bouncy because the shock valving was not design to work with spring rate or reduced travel. If money is not a constraint I would get coil-overs.

12-06-2012, 11:21 AM	#13
Rob@WretchedMS Drives: His Wife Crazy Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Silas Deane Auto,CT Name: Rob Anderson Posts: 1,789	the decision for springs vs coilovers is always a tough one. Springs are less expensive, and easier to install, results are mostly good, but sometimes there are people that are not happy with springs. Coilovers cost more, a bit harder to install, and rarely does someone not get the result they wanted. my option on the Camaro would be Coilovers if you can afford it, damping can be adjusted, height can be adjusted, and typically provide superior performance to the stock shocks.