Too many options... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

blk96gt · 03-28-2012, 02:19 AM

So my original plan for the suspension was to upgrade the sway bars (done - added Pfadt sport sways), new bushings, Pfadt rear arm package, and top it off with a set of coilovers. The car is not a daily driver, and will probably see about 4-6 weekends at the road course a year. I wasn't looking for a race car, but was looking for something that would handle the road course well but could still be driven around on the weekends. The above mentioned mods seemed like the way to go, and then all the FE4/5 upgrades came around and I got lost.

Now I'm thinking about picking up the Pedders rear end conversion kit which includes the sway bars, endlinks, rear drop links and rear arms, as well as buying the OEM ZL1 Toe Links. At this point, is the rear arm package from Pfadt going to do any good? I guess if I upgraded bushings I would still have to get the rear tie rod and trailing arm bushings, but at that point I may as well get the new arm package since it comes with the bushes. I'm sure some Pfadt or Pedders solid subframe bushings would still be a good thing to add as well, or are people going with the OEM FE4/5 bushes now?

At this point I think coilovers will be the last thing I do, but I'm just trying to figure what needs to be done now with all these new parts from the ZL1 being fairly cheap and a good upgrade.

Thanks for the help.

PfadtRacing · 03-28-2012, 01:12 PM

The FE3 package doesn't really lose value because GM has released the FE4. Once you get to the point of replacing most of the hardware anyway really what you're left with is just the improved rear sway bar design.

We do have a sway bar package designed specifically for the FE4 package on the way. We've finalized the design, have them on our 10 Camaro w/ FE4 arms currently for testing, and are moving closer and closer to final production pieces. You can find some information here: Pfadt Adjustable FE4 Package Sway bars and latest prototype Coilover development

The ZL1 toe control arms are definitely a step in the right direction with their improved bushing design, but keep in mind that the bushings are really half the story. When you're putting big power down with large amounts of grip there is also deflection in the arm, not only at the bushing. Our Trailing Arm and Toe Control arms are both lighter and stronger than stock, and include stiffer poly bushings for improved all around performance. Our Arm package will offer the same performance whether they're installed on a '10 V6 or a 12 ZL1, the ZL1 just closes the gap a little bit.

Subframe bushings are still going to be a great idea. The FE4/FE5 bushings are improved, but best performance is going to be seen when moving to solid mounts. I actually haven't heard of anyone removing their factory FE3 bushings and putting in the FE4/FE5's.

It's a great time to be a Camaro enthusiast with all of the neat gofast parts on the market now. If you have any questions please give us a call and we can help you with any information you might need. You can give us a call at 1-888-972-2464 or shoot me an email to jarrett@pfadtracing.com .

blk96gt · 03-29-2012, 12:36 AM

So is it even worth it to upgrade to the new style OEM rear end? Or would I be better off sticking with what I have now and go ahead with the original plan of bushes and aftermarket arms?

JusticePete · 03-29-2012, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blk96gt

So is it even worth it to upgrade to the new style OEM rear end? Or would I be better off sticking with what I have now and go ahead with the original plan of bushes and aftermarket arms?

Hands down run with the new style Z arms, bar and droplinks.

The Z deliver the benefits of a spherical bearing with OEM quite making . Z toe links a no brainer!

Foundationally you'll want to go with either sub-frame inserts or full replacement bushes and the same deal up front with radius bush inserts or full replacement bushes. A Pedders Street Z bush kit would serve you well delivering the stability you'll want on a road course with almost no increase in NVH.

We have the Street Z and the Z bar conversion parts in stock and ready to ship when you are.

PfadtRacing · 03-29-2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blk96gt

So is it even worth it to upgrade to the new style OEM rear end? Or would I be better off sticking with what I have now and go ahead with the original plan of bushes and aftermarket arms?

If you've already got our FE3 sway bar package installed on the car there will be a performance increase if you moved to FE4 control arms with FE4 specific sway bars, but the difference between Aftermarket FE3 -> Aftermarket FE4 sway bars will not be as dramatic as the difference between Factory FE3 -> Aftermarket FE3.

For the time being I would move ahead with your current plan. Make some upgrades to the rear end of the car with solid subframe mounts, and the Rear arm package... then one day down the road if you feel like the car could use a little more roll stiffness maybe look at going to the FE4 rear control arms and sway bars at that point. Right now your biggest bang for the buck is probably going to come from upgrading the rest of the parts in the system you were planning too anyway.

JusticePete · 03-30-2012, 12:53 AM

Pedders rear 32mm Solid Z bar makes a huge difference over our 32mm FE3 / 2010 /2011 bar. It is HUGE. I put my money where my big mouth is. Anyone that upgrades and old style FE3 inboard rear bar to Pedders new Z style 32mm bar does so with a money back guarantee. You have my word on it.

03-28-2012, 02:19 AM	#1
blk96gt Drives: 11 SS(sold),96 Mustang,12 Silverado Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 105	Too many options... So my original plan for the suspension was to upgrade the sway bars (done - added Pfadt sport sways), new bushings, Pfadt rear arm package, and top it off with a set of coilovers. The car is not a daily driver, and will probably see about 4-6 weekends at the road course a year. I wasn't looking for a race car, but was looking for something that would handle the road course well but could still be driven around on the weekends. The above mentioned mods seemed like the way to go, and then all the FE4/5 upgrades came around and I got lost. Now I'm thinking about picking up the Pedders rear end conversion kit which includes the sway bars, endlinks, rear drop links and rear arms, as well as buying the OEM ZL1 Toe Links. At this point, is the rear arm package from Pfadt going to do any good? I guess if I upgraded bushings I would still have to get the rear tie rod and trailing arm bushings, but at that point I may as well get the new arm package since it comes with the bushes. I'm sure some Pfadt or Pedders solid subframe bushings would still be a good thing to add as well, or are people going with the OEM FE4/5 bushes now? At this point I think coilovers will be the last thing I do, but I'm just trying to figure what needs to be done now with all these new parts from the ZL1 being fairly cheap and a good upgrade. Thanks for the help.

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03-28-2012, 01:12 PM	#2
PfadtRacing Drives: 2010 Camaro, 2006 Z06 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 3,370	The FE3 package doesn't really lose value because GM has released the FE4. Once you get to the point of replacing most of the hardware anyway really what you're left with is just the improved rear sway bar design. We do have a sway bar package designed specifically for the FE4 package on the way. We've finalized the design, have them on our 10 Camaro w/ FE4 arms currently for testing, and are moving closer and closer to final production pieces. You can find some information here: Pfadt Adjustable FE4 Package Sway bars and latest prototype Coilover development The ZL1 toe control arms are definitely a step in the right direction with their improved bushing design, but keep in mind that the bushings are really half the story. When you're putting big power down with large amounts of grip there is also deflection in the arm, not only at the bushing. Our Trailing Arm and Toe Control arms are both lighter and stronger than stock, and include stiffer poly bushings for improved all around performance. Our Arm package will offer the same performance whether they're installed on a '10 V6 or a 12 ZL1, the ZL1 just closes the gap a little bit. Subframe bushings are still going to be a great idea. The FE4/FE5 bushings are improved, but best performance is going to be seen when moving to solid mounts. I actually haven't heard of anyone removing their factory FE3 bushings and putting in the FE4/FE5's. It's a great time to be a Camaro enthusiast with all of the neat gofast parts on the market now. If you have any questions please give us a call and we can help you with any information you might need. You can give us a call at 1-888-972-2464 or shoot me an email to jarrett@pfadtracing.com .

03-29-2012, 12:36 AM	#3
blk96gt Drives: 11 SS(sold),96 Mustang,12 Silverado Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 105	So is it even worth it to upgrade to the new style OEM rear end? Or would I be better off sticking with what I have now and go ahead with the original plan of bushes and aftermarket arms?

03-30-2012, 12:53 AM	#6
JusticePete Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 20,171	Pedders rear 32mm Solid Z bar makes a huge difference over our 32mm FE3 / 2010 /2011 bar. It is HUGE. I put my money where my big mouth is. Anyone that upgrades and old style FE3 inboard rear bar to Pedders new Z style 32mm bar does so with a money back guarantee. You have my word on it.