V6 to Z/28 Suspension Swap

[Mat28]

I have a 2014 2LS with just under 140K mi, I'm up to date on mechanical maintenance so I think it's time to refresh the suspension.

It's my daily driver, but I want to make it handle better, and be more fun on a back road.

So far I've ordered:

Z/28 Rear Trailing Arms (92246140)
Z/28 Rear Toe Links (22845487)
Z/28 Rear Right Upper Arm (23110246)
Z/28 Rear Left Upper Arm (23110245)
Z/28 Front Left Upper Arm (20951300)
Z/28 Front Right Upper Arm (20951301)
Z/28 Front Left Radius Rod (92236899)
Z/28 Front Right Radius Rod (92236898)
Z/28 Rear Sway bar End Links (22761221)
Z/28 SKF Front Wheels Hubs (BR930555)

FE2 Front Left Shock (506946)
FE2 Front Right Shock (506947)
FE2 Rear Shocks (560691)
FE2 Bump Stops (92195502)
Front Shock Mounts (22843712)
Rear Left Shock Mount (V510088)
Rear Right Shock Mount (V510089)
SKF Rear Wheel Hubs (BR930674)


I plan on ordering:

Detroit Speed Front Sway Bar (031412DS)
Detroit Speed Rear Sway Bar (042215DS)
Detroit Speed Front End Links (031411DS)
Detroit Speed Rear Cradle Mounts (041510DS)

BMR Steering Rack Bushings (BK008)
BMR Differential Bushings (BK046)
BMR End Link Mounting Brace (ELK009)

However I can't find the Rear Z/28 Knuckles (23262765, 23262766). Not sure what I can use as a substitute.

I'd also like to know if I'm missing any Z/28 components from my list, or if they're any other upgrade I should do while I'm at it.

I'm running stock wheels (245/55/R18, squared) for now, but a lightweight set from Apex Wheels (19x10xET20, on 275/40/R19, squared) is in the near future.

Eventually I'd also like to do the various braces and connectors to stiffen up the chassis, but I think what I have so far will be a good start.

I think going with FE2 shocks and springs will balance out the stiffer Z/28 arms/bushing and bigger sway bars, resulting in a happy-medium street setup.

Any input or tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mat

[CamaroCracka]

Those Z28 knuckles have been discontinued for a while. I'm surprised any of that stuff is still available. I don't think I would go with an FE2 shock and spring. I've heard Bilstein 1LE replacements are a good upgrade. I run Z28 and 1LE suspensions on my cars so I can speak what they ride like. There is actually not a lot of difference between the Z28 components and SS or 1LE that would affect ride. What makes the Z28 ride harsh is the shock/spring combo.

[olblue75]

Upper rear control arm mounts. The SS/1LE/ZL1 have bushings that have voids where the Z28 bushing is solid.

[SummitWhite11]

The only Z28 suspension component I have on my 2010 2LT is the rear Z28 LCA's. I have been running this setup for at least 9 years now.

OEM Strut Tower Brace, Detroit Speed Engineering 1.5" Lowering Springs, Koni Orange STR.T Struts, Z28 rear LCA's, Black Magic rear 32" sway bar, 1LE front sway bar w/ DSE end links.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

The only Z28 suspension component I have on my 2010 2LT is the rear Z28 LCA's. I have been running this setup for at least 9 years now.

OEM Strut Tower Brace, Detroit Speed Engineering 1.5" Lowering Springs, Koni Orange STR.T Struts, Z28 rear LCA's, Black Magic rear 32" sway bar, 1LE front sway bar w/ DSE end links.

Oh man she's looking great!! Stance is just right!

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Oh man she's looking great!! Stance is just right!

Thanks! This pic was taken about 8 years ago. The suspension components have about 15-20k miles on it and still holding up well as I don't drive it often nowadays as i would like.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

Thanks! This pic was taken about 8 years ago. The suspension components have about 15-20k miles on it and still holding up well as I don't drive it often nowadays as i would like.

Gotcha..

[Mat28]

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

Those Z28 knuckles have been discontinued for a while. I'm surprised any of that stuff is still available. I don't think I would go with an FE2 shock and spring. I've heard Bilstein 1LE replacements are a good upgrade. I run Z28 and 1LE suspensions on my cars so I can speak what they ride like. There is actually not a lot of difference between the Z28 components and SS or 1LE that would affect ride. What makes the Z28 ride harsh is the shock/spring combo.

Yep, knuckles for any model aren't available anymore. I was able to find a replacement for the rubber bushing, and SPL said they're about to release replacement sphericals.

I was actually wrong, it turns out only the toe links are Z/28 specific. Everything else is ss/1le/zl1.

I'm going to take your advice and return the FE2 setup and get the Bilsteins. It seems the general concensus is they're great.

What springs should I pair them with? I've seen Hotchkins and BMR talked about alot. But I'd also be fine with OEM springs assuming I can find them.

[Mat28]

Originally Posted by olblue75

Upper rear control arm mounts. The SS/1LE/ZL1 have bushings that have voids where the Z28 bushing is solid.

Thanks.

Just ordered BMR's rear upper control arm bushing kit (BK039) and rear upper inner (BK017)

I ended up ordering aftermarket lower control arms, toe links, and trailing arms, so that should complete the rear end.

[Mat28]

Originally Posted by SummitWhite11

The only Z28 suspension component I have on my 2010 2LT is the rear Z28 LCA's. I have been running this setup for at least 9 years now.

OEM Strut Tower Brace, Detroit Speed Engineering 1.5" Lowering Springs, Koni Orange STR.T Struts, Z28 rear LCA's, Black Magic rear 32" sway bar, 1LE front sway bar w/ DSE end links.

First, beautiful car my guy. Love the wheels.

Unfortunately, I was mistaken and apart from the toe links, everything was actually ss/1le/zl1.

I've since purchased Spohn LCA's with the delrin bushings.

How are the springs and shocks compared to OEM? I'm going to do Bilsteins in place of the FE2 setup.

[Mat28]

For anyone following or wanting to use my part numbers as reference, except for the toe links, the other arms are just FE2 thru FE6 replacements.


I ended up purchasing:

Spohn Pro-Touring Rear Lower Control Arms w/Delrin Bushings (C10-221-DEL)
UMI Adjustable Rear Trailing Arms w/Roto-Joints (2526)
UMI Adjustable Rear Toe Links w/Roto-Joints (2524)
Gen 6 Radius Rods w/BMR Sepherical inserts

And added:

BMR Front Lower Control Arm Inner Bushings (BK018)
BMR Rear Upper Control Arm Delrin Bushings (BK039)
BMR Rear Upper Control Arm Inner Bushings (BK017)

I'm also doing the Bilstein B6 Performance shocks instead of the FE2 setup, but I'm yet to find a place that has all 4 in stock.

Anyone have spring recommendations? Not sure if I should go with an aftermarket lowering kit or an OEM variation.

Also I've seen quite a few chassis braces from BMR, Hotchkins, Ultra Racing, etc... What's are the best ones?

[SummitWhite11]

Originally Posted by Mat28

First, beautiful car my guy. Love the wheels.

Unfortunately, I was mistaken and apart from the toe links, everything was actually ss/1le/zl1.

I've since purchased Spohn LCA's with the delrin bushings.

How are the springs and shocks compared to OEM? I'm going to do Bilsteins in place of the FE2 setup.

Thank you! At the time I placed my order 8-9 years ago... the Bilsteins were on back order to what felt like forever. I had waited 7-8 months patiently through a vendor in which I had to do a charge back through my CC company. So with that in mind I cannot say what the difference felt like. All I know is I am happy with my setup. I would have preferred the Bilsteins... as I ran them on my former 87 Corvette, 2015 Xterra and now 2025 Frontier. Bilsteins are great and you get your money's worth. Would I go that route when my Koni's finally need replacing... maybe... but the Koni's feel GREAT as is... it's your call.

[Joe.G]

I have the Hotckis springs and I am happy with them, I also have the Hotckis Chassis brace and I Highly recommend it, I had it before I went with Solid cradle bushings which is another highly recommended mod by me. I believe that the Chassis brace will serve you just fine, I don't really need both but I had so I ran them.
I have a full BMR Suspension, I did have an issue getting my rear alignment spec exactly where i wanted it, A Adjustable rear LCA would have made it easier. I was able to get the spec but it took some modify.

[CamaroCracka]

I run ZL1 springs on the vert with a 27/32 bar combo, so I can't really make recommendations based on experience. I can tell you your spring choice should work with your bar choice, i.e. not too much spring with big bars. The 1LEs ran a 27/28 combo with SS springs but realize most factory setups are designed with understeer to be more forgiving.

Here is a link to Justice Pete's The Book post. He has forgotten more about these cars than I will ever know.

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showp...&postcount=485