Best Mods for My Price Range - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Biscuitpie · 01-15-2012, 04:46 PM

I have around $350 to spend on suspension parts right now. I was looking at BMR's website and I can get front + rear swaybars or for cheaper I can get a strut tower brace or a subframe connector and save some money for later mods. My question is which of these will provide the greatest benefit to my handling since I can only get one option at this time? Thanks.

EDIT: Well it appears the strut tower brace fits 2010 only. I'm open to other brands for all of these parts of course. Just want the most handling ability for what I can spend.

rdblan2 · 01-15-2012, 06:33 PM

The strut tower brace is certainly nice to have, but out of the options you listed, the sway bars are the best. The tower brace probably won't get you as noticeable a difference. Of course, if you do sway bars you should probably do some end links as well and that blows your budget.

What's the use for your car? Normal driving or track use? Some trailing arms and bushings are within your budget and you can easily do those in the driveway. My car felt a bit more solid on hard launches after the arms and bushings. You're manual so you might have a bit more of a feeling. Future mod plans for power or changes in use?

The Stig · 01-15-2012, 06:48 PM

Bushings. They are the first suspension mod. Otherwise it's like putting lipstick on a pig

Biscuitpie · 01-15-2012, 07:37 PM

Thanks for the input guys. As far as use it's mainly street but I like to drive it hard. For suspension I'm looking more into handling than help launching or the like. What bushings do you guys recommend?

BullF-16 · 01-15-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stieger

Bushings. They are the first suspension mod. Otherwise it's like putting lipstick on a pig

caverman · 01-15-2012, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuitpie

Thanks for the input guys. As far as use it's mainly street but I like to drive it hard. For suspension I'm looking more into handling than help launching or the like. What bushings do you guys recommend?

Cradle bushings.

Assuming you don't have any major mods then you can probably do bushing inserts instead of a full bushing. Personally I like the Pedders design alot better than the BMR design. I had them and pulled them out in favor of Pedders. Pedders cost more but it's woth it IMO.

Look at the Pedders Stage 1 street kit.

Synner · 01-15-2012, 11:02 PM

Sways first for the use you describe. Cradle bushes would be a close second.

rdblan2 · 01-16-2012, 09:41 AM

Can you do the cradle bushings yourself? If not, you'll be paying for install and that likely won't be cheap.

BMR Sales · 01-16-2012, 10:32 AM

For more handling oriented stuff I would look into lowering springs, sway bars, or rear cradle bushing kit. All of these parts can be had for right around $350 or less. If you want give me a call here at the shop and we can talk about your potential set up and get you set up with some BMR parts.

Kyle

Biscuitpie · 01-16-2012, 12:15 PM

So you guys are recommending these: http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=p...&productid=452 ?

I can do it myself I'm sure and I already have lowering springs which I should have mentioned before.

YOUNGnRECKLESS · 01-16-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stieger

Bushings. They are the first suspension mod. Otherwise it's like putting lipstick on a pig

this

ron10 · 01-16-2012, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stieger

Bushings. They are the first suspension mod. Otherwise it's like putting lipstick on a pig

i beg your pardon,my girl friend looks plum purdy with lipstick.

caverman · 01-16-2012, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biscuitpie

So you guys are recommending these: http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=p...&productid=452 ?

I can do it myself I'm sure and I already have lowering springs which I should have mentioned before.

I recommend this:
https://secure.merlinsoftware.com.au...rodCode=EP1200

Actually, for a little extra I would do the Stage 1 which is cradle inserts and radius rod inserts.
https://secure.merlinsoftware.com.au...AMARO+STREET+I

Especially if your going to do this yourself. The BMR front cradle inserts are a PITA from my experience plus the Pedders are a stiffer bushing. Take a look through this thread.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...hlight=pedders

PfadtRacing · 01-16-2012, 01:05 PM

With your budget and goals we would strongly suggest a set of sway bars. The rear suspension of the Camaro certainly needs a little work when you're looking for increased performance, but the biggest change you can make to the overall handling of the vehicle is with a matched set of performance sway bars. These cars are heavy and soak up large increases in roll stiffness very well with minimal impact to ride quality. The overall balance of your car will be better and the car will absolutely feel more fun to drive with sway bars.

Here is a video we did featuring our Drop Spring and Sway bar package. If you've got a little room in the budget to do both at the same time your car will be much more fun afterwards!

01-15-2012, 04:46 PM	#1
Biscuitpie Drives: '11 Cammed LS3, '14 Scion FRS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 758	Best Mods for My Price Range I have around $350 to spend on suspension parts right now. I was looking at BMR's website and I can get front + rear swaybars or for cheaper I can get a strut tower brace or a subframe connector and save some money for later mods. My question is which of these will provide the greatest benefit to my handling since I can only get one option at this time? Thanks. EDIT: Well it appears the strut tower brace fits 2010 only. I'm open to other brands for all of these parts of course. Just want the most handling ability for what I can spend.

01-15-2012, 06:33 PM	#2
rdblan2 Drives: 2SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,272	The strut tower brace is certainly nice to have, but out of the options you listed, the sway bars are the best. The tower brace probably won't get you as noticeable a difference. Of course, if you do sway bars you should probably do some end links as well and that blows your budget. What's the use for your car? Normal driving or track use? Some trailing arms and bushings are within your budget and you can easily do those in the driveway. My car felt a bit more solid on hard launches after the arms and bushings. You're manual so you might have a bit more of a feeling. Future mod plans for power or changes in use? __________________ Livernois 2C cam and tune, LS3 conversion, Roto-Fab intake, Kooks headers, DSS driveshaft and axles, BMR suspension parts, VMax ported throttle body, Whipple blower. (623hp).

01-15-2012, 06:48 PM	#3
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Bushings. They are the first suspension mod. Otherwise it's like putting lipstick on a pig __________________

01-16-2012, 09:41 AM	#8
rdblan2 Drives: 2SS RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: MD Posts: 1,272	Can you do the cradle bushings yourself? If not, you'll be paying for install and that likely won't be cheap. __________________ Livernois 2C cam and tune, LS3 conversion, Roto-Fab intake, Kooks headers, DSS driveshaft and axles, BMR suspension parts, VMax ported throttle body, Whipple blower. (623hp).

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01-15-2012, 07:37 PM	#4
Biscuitpie Drives: '11 Cammed LS3, '14 Scion FRS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 758	Thanks for the input guys. As far as use it's mainly street but I like to drive it hard. For suspension I'm looking more into handling than help launching or the like. What bushings do you guys recommend?

01-15-2012, 11:02 PM	#7
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,542	Sways first for the use you describe. Cradle bushes would be a close second.

01-16-2012, 10:32 AM	#9
BMR Sales Drives: Race Car Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seffner, FL Posts: 6,226	For more handling oriented stuff I would look into lowering springs, sway bars, or rear cradle bushing kit. All of these parts can be had for right around $350 or less. If you want give me a call here at the shop and we can talk about your potential set up and get you set up with some BMR parts. Kyle

01-16-2012, 12:15 PM	#10
Biscuitpie Drives: '11 Cammed LS3, '14 Scion FRS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 758	So you guys are recommending these: http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=p...&productid=452 ? I can do it myself I'm sure and I already have lowering springs which I should have mentioned before.

01-16-2012, 01:05 PM	#14
PfadtRacing Drives: 2010 Camaro, 2006 Z06 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 3,370	With your budget and goals we would strongly suggest a set of sway bars. The rear suspension of the Camaro certainly needs a little work when you're looking for increased performance, but the biggest change you can make to the overall handling of the vehicle is with a matched set of performance sway bars. These cars are heavy and soak up large increases in roll stiffness very well with minimal impact to ride quality. The overall balance of your car will be better and the car will absolutely feel more fun to drive with sway bars. Here is a video we did featuring our Drop Spring and Sway bar package. If you've got a little room in the budget to do both at the same time your car will be much more fun afterwards!