Stock FE4 suspension with ZL1 rubber?? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

wernergmhtp · 08-23-2016, 10:00 PM

Has anyone run the (completely) stock FE4 Camaro SS suspension with wider factory ZL1 front/rear tires?

My assumption would be that, given the stock 245 front/275 rear staggered setup, stepping up to the 285 front/305 rear staggered setup would deliver similar handling characteristics (i.e., a hefty dose of understeer) but with more grip.

Note: I eventually plan on doing the 1LE suspension upgrade and a square setup front/rear for tires, but I found a ZL1 wheel and tire set for a good price... hence the above question.

Thanks in advance,

Norm Peterson · 08-24-2016, 09:16 AM

I suspect that you'll be increasing the understeer a little, but that you'll have to be driving it harder before you notice understeer for what it is. The amount of understeer might feel "less progressive" and car response a little firmer once you do begin to notice it, because at the same cornering level the smaller tire setups will be operating closer to the peaks of their grip vs slip angle plots. I'm assuming G:2 Goodyears are still in place on the 10"/11" wheels for some of this. Maybe a lot of it.

At the new and higher limit, I'd expect more understeer to be introduced from a separate cause - the greater amount of roll that results from having greater lateral grip typically hurts a strut-suspended front end more than it does a SLA or multi-link IRS (at least until you tweak things like static camber settings to give that strut end some help).

Norm

08-23-2016, 10:00 PM	#1
wernergmhtp Drives: 2014 Camaro 1SS/RS A6 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: NC Posts: 119	Stock FE4 suspension with ZL1 rubber?? Has anyone run the (completely) stock FE4 Camaro SS suspension with wider factory ZL1 front/rear tires? My assumption would be that, given the stock 245 front/275 rear staggered setup, stepping up to the 285 front/305 rear staggered setup would deliver similar handling characteristics (i.e., a hefty dose of understeer) but with more grip. Note: I eventually plan on doing the 1LE suspension upgrade and a square setup front/rear for tires, but I found a ZL1 wheel and tire set for a good price... hence the above question. Thanks in advance, __________________ Chris Werner Author, "How to Rebuild GM LS-Series Engines" Contributing Editor, GM High-Tech Performance (1998-2014)

08-24-2016, 09:16 AM	#2
Norm Peterson corner barstool sitter Drives: 08 Mustang GT, 19 WRX Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Eastern Time Zone Posts: 6,990	I suspect that you'll be increasing the understeer a little, but that you'll have to be driving it harder before you notice understeer for what it is. The amount of understeer might feel "less progressive" and car response a little firmer once you do begin to notice it, because at the same cornering level the smaller tire setups will be operating closer to the peaks of their grip vs slip angle plots. I'm assuming G:2 Goodyears are still in place on the 10"/11" wheels for some of this. Maybe a lot of it. At the new and higher limit, I'd expect more understeer to be introduced from a separate cause - the greater amount of roll that results from having greater lateral grip typically hurts a strut-suspended front end more than it does a SLA or multi-link IRS (at least until you tweak things like static camber settings to give that strut end some help). Norm __________________ '08 GT coupe 5M (the occasional track toy) '19 WRX 6M (the family sedan . . . seriously)