Suspension gurus... Please step inside. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

lscamaro · 04-22-2013, 05:11 PM

Hey guys, I need help from all the suspension gurus out there! I have a few performance mods on my car and now want to start looking into suspension mods. I mostly drag race but want a setup that will allow me to autocross as well. That being said, I know subframe bushings, trailing arms, and sway bars will all be good investments. My big question is simple, what will I need to do to convert from the fe2 suspension I currently have to the latest fe5? Will I for sure need to swap the v6 brakes to brembos? I hear the fe5 sways will rub on the v6 brakes? Also, what other parts are worth looking into? Thanks in advance!

K32 Camaro · 04-22-2013, 05:22 PM

I know for he fe4 you need to change your lower control arms and I assume the same for fe5. Look into some toe/tie rods also and if you add alot of power some differential bushings.

TBone · 04-22-2013, 05:27 PM

Who says they hit the V6 brakes? Are there pictures/proof of this or is this trolling/hearsay? It may depend on the manufacture as well.

You will need new lower control arms if you go FE5. The Pfadt Sport Sways, FE3, do make a great improvement over stock. Not to be brand specific, the Pedders FE3 upgrade sways are very good too and you do not need to change out your LCA's.

If you would like to see some pictures of the Pfadt ZL1 clearances check out this link.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285249

Oh, do not forget toe rods.

If you are going to use drag radial you also may want to investigate axles too.

T.

right to travel · 04-22-2013, 05:29 PM

fe5 not happening (zl1 susension) at least not all the way. fe4 (SS) or fe6 (1le) is what you will need to convert to. as far as i know you will need lca's, end links, sways, lots of bushings, shocks, springs. may be some more stuff too but experts will chime in

TBone · 04-22-2013, 05:32 PM

Give this a read. It will at least give you ALL the information about the Camaro Suspension and it is good for you to know before you do anything.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90270

T.

lscamaro · 04-22-2013, 08:36 PM

Well I've seen it said more than a few times that OEM zl1 or 1le sway bars will rub on the v6 brakes?

TBone · 04-22-2013, 11:21 PM

OIC, I was not aware of this.

Is it only OEM? Where does it rub? Do you have any pictures of were it rubs? Can you use the method I used with my DSS Axle issue to fix it?

Inquiring mind would like to know.

T.

lscamaro · 04-23-2013, 09:47 AM

I'm not sure if it's only OEM. I saw that OEM rubbed and figured everything else will to. But now that you mention it, it's got me thinking. I'm going to ask around and see if any aftermarket companies have had problems with it.

Let me see if I can get a pic of where it rubs.

lscamaro · 04-24-2013, 02:03 PM

***** Update ********

Well I asked Pete from Pedders if the Pedders Z Bar would rub on the v6 brakes. I got a response from his saying that the Pedders Z Bar was designed to not rub on v6 brakes as well as accommodate wider rear tires and supercar coilovers. Good to know at least one bar will fit!

lscamaro · 04-24-2013, 02:16 PM

****** Another Update ********

Pfadt just got back to me and has stated that their ZL1 sway will not work with v6 brakes

04-22-2013, 05:11 PM	#1
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	Suspension gurus... Please step inside. Hey guys, I need help from all the suspension gurus out there! I have a few performance mods on my car and now want to start looking into suspension mods. I mostly drag race but want a setup that will allow me to autocross as well. That being said, I know subframe bushings, trailing arms, and sway bars will all be good investments. My big question is simple, what will I need to do to convert from the fe2 suspension I currently have to the latest fe5? Will I for sure need to swap the v6 brakes to brembos? I hear the fe5 sways will rub on the v6 brakes? Also, what other parts are worth looking into? Thanks in advance! __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

04-22-2013, 05:27 PM	#3
TBone Negative Camber Junkie Drives: 2010 1SS LS3/6MN ABM 1 of 23 Join Date: May 2009 Location: ChiTown, IL Posts: 1,824	Who says they hit the V6 brakes? Are there pictures/proof of this or is this trolling/hearsay? It may depend on the manufacture as well. You will need new lower control arms if you go FE5. The Pfadt Sport Sways, FE3, do make a great improvement over stock. Not to be brand specific, the Pedders FE3 upgrade sways are very good too and you do not need to change out your LCA's. If you would like to see some pictures of the Pfadt ZL1 clearances check out this link. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285249 Oh, do not forget toe rods. If you are going to use drag radial you also may want to investigate axles too. T. __________________ "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!!!!!

04-22-2013, 05:32 PM	#5
TBone Negative Camber Junkie Drives: 2010 1SS LS3/6MN ABM 1 of 23 Join Date: May 2009 Location: ChiTown, IL Posts: 1,824	Give this a read. It will at least give you ALL the information about the Camaro Suspension and it is good for you to know before you do anything. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90270 T. __________________ "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!!!!!

04-22-2013, 08:36 PM	#6
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	Well I've seen it said more than a few times that OEM zl1 or 1le sway bars will rub on the v6 brakes? __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

04-22-2013, 11:21 PM	#7
TBone Negative Camber Junkie Drives: 2010 1SS LS3/6MN ABM 1 of 23 Join Date: May 2009 Location: ChiTown, IL Posts: 1,824	OIC, I was not aware of this. Is it only OEM? Where does it rub? Do you have any pictures of were it rubs? Can you use the method I used with my DSS Axle issue to fix it? Inquiring mind would like to know. T. __________________ "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!!!!!

04-22-2013, 05:22 PM	#2
K32 Camaro V8 lounge member #5 Drives: 12 2SS Synergy Camaro, 05 PontiacG6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,301	I know for he fe4 you need to change your lower control arms and I assume the same for fe5. Look into some toe/tie rods also and if you add alot of power some differential bushings.

04-22-2013, 05:29 PM	#4
right to travel Drives: 2013 Camaro 1SS 1LE SW Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Newport RI Posts: 835 View My Garage	fe5 not happening (zl1 susension) at least not all the way. fe4 (SS) or fe6 (1le) is what you will need to convert to. as far as i know you will need lca's, end links, sways, lots of bushings, shocks, springs. may be some more stuff too but experts will chime in

04-23-2013, 09:47 AM	#8
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	I'm not sure if it's only OEM. I saw that OEM rubbed and figured everything else will to. But now that you mention it, it's got me thinking. I'm going to ask around and see if any aftermarket companies have had problems with it. Let me see if I can get a pic of where it rubs. __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

04-24-2013, 02:03 PM	#9
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	*** Update ****** Well I asked Pete from Pedders if the Pedders Z Bar would rub on the v6 brakes. I got a response from his saying that the Pedders Z Bar was designed to not rub on v6 brakes as well as accommodate wider rear tires and supercar coilovers. Good to know at least one bar will fit! __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread

04-24-2013, 02:16 PM	#10
lscamaro Drives: 2011 CGM Camaro LS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 10,305	**** Another Update ****** Pfadt just got back to me and has stated that their ZL1 sway will not work with v6 brakes __________________ Click Picture for Build Thread