2012 FE4 suspension 1st glance

[R6P]

Not sure if anyone has posted the changes for 2012 suspension yet, this was the first 2012 our shop received with FE4. Thought I would share some pictures of the changes.
First visible change is that the rear swaybar is wider & continues around the rear coil spring, and is now connected with a conventional straight endlink.


Inside the trunk there are 2 humps in the floorpan, most likely to accomodate changes to the rear suspension module.




Front swaybar endlinks have been upgraded to a larger diameter also.

[Rockin the BlueSS]

any noticeable changes in handling? can these parts be applied to the 2010 & 2011 cars?
like install rear swaybar, and front and rear endlinks?

[R6P]

Originally Posted by Rockin the BlueSS

any noticeable changes in handling? can these parts be applied to the 2010 & 2011 cars?
like install rear swaybar, and front and rear endlinks?

I'd say yes, handling is improved, though I really didn't push it to extremes.
As far as interchange, it looks like the front endlinks could work in '10 & '11's.

The rear bar is a different story... the clamps that mount the bar to the cradle are in the same location, but the lower control arms on the '10 & '11's do not have provisions to mount the new endlinks, so you would need to replace the lower control arms, sway bar and endlinks.

Oddly enough, you could however mount a 10-11 bar onto the '12 because the old endlink mounts are present on this car.

The main thing is, you won't see this anymore....

more on that here...http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136330

[Rockin the BlueSS]

well that is good news... wonder if gm found the problem in there testing or was just watching PQ's car?

[Rockin the BlueSS]

since you are affiliated with a shop i would ask your opinion, is it worth it to try and convert to the FE4 suspension or just use aftermarket parts (Pedders or BMR etc) to upgrade the system? as for bang for the buck?

[R6P]

Originally Posted by Rockin the BlueSS

since you are affiliated with a shop i would ask your opinion, is it worth it to try and convert to the FE4 suspension or just use aftermarket parts (Pedders or BMR etc) to upgrade the system? as for bang for the buck?

I think that would be a personal choice. I would at that point likely go Pedders or another aftermarket supplier, but if you are the type that want's the O.E.M. look I guess you could try installing the '12 parts.

I just wanted to show some of the changes for 2012.

[BMR guy]

Good info, was wondering when the FE4 cars would start showing up...

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by Rockin the BlueSS

well that is good news... wonder if gm found the problem in there testing or was just watching PQ's car?

While relocating the rear sway bar mounting point eliminates the problem, I do not believe that was the reason for the change. The reason for the change was to use mounting point closer to the hub that are far more efficient. The new rear bar is about 1mm larger in diameter, but it functions like a much larger bar would at the old mounting points. It is a marked improvement in both design and function.

[Rockin the BlueSS]

ok, that makes sense

[garcmol]

I'd seen it, but the car I saw it on isn't in production yet, and was asked kindly to crawl out from under the car, lol.

How is the endlink attached to the LCA? Is it another welded tab on top or run all the way through?

[R6P]

Originally Posted by garcmol

I'd seen it, but the car I saw it on isn't in production yet, and was asked kindly to crawl out from under the car, lol.

How is the endlink attached to the LCA? Is it another welded tab on top or run all the way through?

The top of the lower control arm is "open", the link is secured to the bottom of the arm. I can try to get another picture.

[garcmol]

Originally Posted by R6P

The top of the lower control arm is "open", the link is secured to the bottom of the arm. I can try to get another picture.

That's okay. I was just wondering for access reasons. It would be more of a pain to get to if they had another tab welded in there. Glad to hear that it runs to the bottom.

And since it's done this way, it may not be too much of a stretch for the '10-'11s to swap over to this. Unless you see a clearance issue?????

Pete? BMR? would you agree???

[PQ]

I snuck under the ZL1 and snapped pics that agree with those. So I guess the secret is out now.

I will change mine when they are available. The ZL1 LCA looks to be the same part nhumber going forward. It has the SS end link tab AND the hole for the straight down bolt of the new sway bar.

[garcmol]