1LE Hardcore track guys suspension

[ZYBORG]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to touch base with 1LE guys that are hardcore about their handling/track time and have had experience modifying their stock 1LE suspension.

What are you guys using? And what have been some of the negatives and some of the positives?

Feel free to post pictures, discuss.

[Dropspeed]

Originally Posted by ZYBORG

Hey guys,

Just wanted to touch base with 1LE guys that are hardcore about their handling/track time and have had experience modifying their stock 1LE suspension.

What are you guys using? And what have been some of the negatives and some of the positives?

Feel free to post pictures, discuss.

I ran stock for a year....then ran Pedders Springs on stock struts...now on complete Z/28 suspension set-up.

I had a differential issues last year (clutches worn) and installed a TruTrac at the end of the season. I have only had one outing this past Sunday with the Z/28 suspension, diff and brand new tires so I am still playing with pressures and getting use to it......BUT so far my largest time decrease was installing the CTS-V (now Z06) front calipers and then Hawk DTC-60 pads.

This is my testament to just how good the stock 1LE package is.

I believe X25 stated in his build that the Z/28 set up was worth about 1.5s to him on track. That may have changed but I am not on here much anymore.

Matt

[ZYBORG]

Originally Posted by Dropspeed

I ran stock for a year....then ran Pedders Springs on stock struts...now on complete Z/28 suspension set-up.

I had a differential issues last year (clutches worn) and installed a TruTrac at the end of the season. I have only had one outing this past Sunday with the Z/28 suspension, diff and brand new tires so I am still playing with pressures and getting use to it......BUT so far my largest time decrease was installing the CTS-V (now Z06) front calipers and then Hawk DTC-60 pads.

This is my testament to just how good the stock 1LE package is.

I believe X25 stated in his build that the Z/28 set up was worth about 1.5s to him on track. That may have changed but I am not on here much anymore.

Matt

Hey Matt,

How was your experience with the pedders springs vs the stock set up? Did you feel it was just as good as when the car was bone stock? Did you experience ANY issues with clanking, or noise coming from the newly set up suspension?

Do you hany any pictures with before and after the pedders install? Also, what part numbers did you install?

[Dropspeed]

Originally Posted by ZYBORG

Hey Matt,

How was your experience with the pedders springs vs the stock set up? Did you feel it was just as good as when the car was bone stock? Did you experience ANY issues with clanking, or noise coming from the newly set up suspension?

Do you hany any pictures with before and after the pedders install? Also, what part numbers did you install?

My butt and my lap times indicate it was just as good as when stock if not better than stock, but I was getting more and more seat time so that may have also played a part. Zero clanking issues, noise, etc. I did have to install rear camber bolts to get the rear-end to align.

IF I were to do it again I would probable start with a 1" rear BMR spring (as Pedders are not available in the US) and leave the front stock. This does remove some of the rake which affects aero and down force in the rear, but the BMR spring is stiffer than stock and will help the car rotate/reduce understeer. (my thought has always been less is more and make one change at a time if I can)

I have tons of pictures, write ups and will answer more questions than you ever have in my build...Click on the sig link. Its full of my thoughts and opinions!

Matt

[Aero_Sport_Concepts]

I changed to RideTech Coilovers Day 2 and have loved the feel. After a year i felt the Spring Rate was a little off, so just recently changed the Rates to 300lb in the front from 275lb and 550lb in the rear from 500lb. I can tell already the car feels more stable. Before the change i was trying to make up for the softnest by adjusting my Damping to a stiffer setting. Now i can control the Damping in the range it should had been.

Just after this above Spring change i decided to go with a Complete Detroit Speed Suspension Package in the Rear and changed out both Front and Rear Sway Bar to DSI. Wow. So far the car feels great. Headed out to AutoClub next week to put it all to the true test.

On top of all the Suspension changes i made i'm now on my second Aero Package. This by far has made the biggest change in the cars ability to corner. I'm NO expert in the field but know enough to Design and Engineer what i think works and so far it has improved my times Every Time out on the Track.

[rgrmoreira13]

Originally Posted by ZYBORG

Hey guys,

Just wanted to touch base with 1LE guys that are hardcore about their handling/track time and have had experience modifying their stock 1LE suspension.

What are you guys using? And what have been some of the negatives and some of the positives?

Feel free to post pictures, discuss.

I want to add an extra question to this as I am seriously considering tracking the car soon.
Are your 1LE your daily driver ? and how do you take care of it after a weekend at the track ?

[ZYBORG]

Originally Posted by Aero_Sport_Concepts

I changed to RideTech Coilovers Day 2 and have loved the feel. After a year i felt the Spring Rate was a little off, so just recently changed the Rates to 300lb in the front from 275lb and 550lb in the rear from 500lb. I can tell already the car feels more stable. Before the change i was trying to make up for the softnest by adjusting my Damping to a stiffer setting. Now i can control the Damping in the range it should had been.

Just after this above Spring change i decided to go with a Complete Detroit Speed Suspension Package in the Rear and changed out both Front and Rear Sway Bar to DSI. Wow. So far the car feels great. Headed out to AutoClub next week to put it all to the true test.

On top of all the Suspension changes i made i'm now on my second Aero Package. This by far has made the biggest change in the cars ability to corner. I'm NO expert in the field but know enough to Design and Engineer what i think works and so far it has improved my times Every Time out on the Track.

Attachment 791174

Thanks for the input. That is a nice picture, thabk you.

[ZYBORG]

There has to be more 1LE guys that have modified their stock suspension and take their road course / track time very seriously....

Come on guys, need some input...

[Aero_Sport_Concepts]

Originally Posted by rgrmoreira13

I want to add an extra question to this as I am seriously considering tracking the car soon.
Are your 1LE your daily driver ? and how do you take care of it after a weekend at the track ?

Mine was a Daily for about 6 months. But after dealing with SoCal traffic for that long i couldn't handle it anymore. But as far as Ride Quality it was fine. With Coilovers you're able to soften it up and it is actually smoother than the OE Struts.

I typically service the car Before and After each Track Event. New Oil before each event. Brake Fluid after 2 or 3 Events. Trans and Diff every 4-5 Events. I take each Corner apart somewhat and clean and inspect all the Suspension, Wheels, Tires after each time out and do a visual on the Engine Bay too.

Fluids are one of the most important items to keep up if you plan on Tracking the car. Happy Car, Happy Driver make for a Great Day out on the Tarmac

[X25]

I got used to expecting low performance from stock suspension systems, and got into modifying it right away when I got my 1LE. Simply put, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized how stable the car was in technical stretches of the tracks, an how competitive the laptimes were in its stock form. I tested a few different setups, but in the end setttled on Z/28 suspension. This suspension is very highly tuned for our cars, and takes the guessing game out of the picture when bought as a kit. It is actually not any different than a 3-way adjustable coilover setup very nicely for our cars, and then the settings sealed/frozen (that's what DSSV does anyway). I'd highly recommend the Z/28 setup.

[summit1le]

I am currently running the stock shocks with pfadt lowering springs. I have solid aluminum sub frame bushings, upgraded trailing arms, upper control arm bushings, and front radius rod bushings. The car feels extremely solid!! I feel the only true upgrade would be either going to the Z28 suspension or going with a Detroit Speed Coilover or Penske. Changing to a set of basic coilovers won't lend any better performance. Keep in mind the amount of engineering that was put into this car!! GM did a great job. I feel I could get a big improvement with some Aero! That is next

[AG1LE]

I went with Penske Racing, but Detroit Speed is also high quality and seems to be a favorite among 5th gen track rats