Coilovers going in - got questions. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

IPT · 05-26-2013, 11:39 PM

So my Pedders XA coilovers are getting installed this week

(Pace car package). I'll need to measure, but I am pretty sure the front of my car sits higher than the rear right now. I want to be as aggressive as I can with the stance and level it off. I anticipate 1.5 -1.75 of drop. I'm running Forgelines with Nineball's offsets, 275 up front and 315s in the rear. Anyone see an issue with that?

Right now it seems to me the stock ride was a little more "bounce" in the rear than the front. I'd like to tame that. What settings are recommended on the coilovers to maintain stock ride feeling (or slightly stiffer if need be) while still dialing up the performance?

Any other thoughts, comments, or things you'd do different if you were doing it all over?

BigBlock69RS · 05-27-2013, 12:06 AM

SGOS252382 · 05-27-2013, 11:21 AM

Good luck. Not knocking the Pedders XA's, but I couldn't get mine dialed in no matter what setting I tried.
There was either too much bounce or the ride was overly firm and squirrelly. During aggressive driving (road course) my car never felt planted. And yes, I had the bushings timed and alignment done twice by a skilled performance shop just to be sure that wasn't the issue.

I eventually put the stock suspension back on my car.

I'm now looking for a more easily tuned coilover setup. I've heard Pedders supercar coilovers offer a better ride and more control.
The basic Pedders XA just didn't offer the control or ride quality I was looking for.

IPT · 05-27-2013, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGOS252382

Good luck. Not knocking the Pedders XA's, but I couldn't get mine dialed in no matter what setting I tried.
There was either too much bounce or the ride was overly firm and squirrelly. During aggressive driving (road course) my car never felt planted. And yes, I had the bushings timed and alignment done twice by a skilled performance shop just to be sure that wasn't the issue.

I eventually put the stock suspension back on my car.

I'm now looking for a more easily tuned coilover setup. I've heard Pedders supercar coilovers offer a better ride and more control.
The basic Pedders XA just didn't offer the control or ride quality I was looking for.

Man, I hope I have a better experience than that. Truth is I think it rides pretty good stock. I just want to take it up a notch improving the performance and get her dropped.

Man I will not be happy if I spend all that money on the install, and then have to pay it again to go back to stock

. I know I could recoupe on the coliovers, but not the labor - nor the frustration. I assume you contacted Pedders about your disatisfaction? Pete has been great helping me out thus far - I have no complaints about that.

The Stig · 05-27-2013, 04:14 PM

Depending how the roads are where you live (pot holes, etc.) you may not want to drop the front 1.75". It's also good to remember that the rear cradle bushings will raise the rear end just a hair.

I have mine set at 14/16 for daily driving.

L99CAMA2011 · 05-27-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBlock69RS

Got an extra bag bro

we need some.

L99CAMA2011 · 05-27-2013, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Stig

Depending how the roads are where you live (pot holes, etc.) you may not want to drop the front 1.75". It's also good to remember that the rear cradle bushings will raise the rear end just a hair.

I have mine set at 14/16 for daily driving.

Coilover valving depends on other things like tire size, pressure , road condition and what the user finds comfortable.

ddunerider · 05-27-2013, 10:13 PM

20-17 for track days and 10-12 for street..is what I like

The Stig · 05-27-2013, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L99CAMA2011

Coilover valving depends on other things like tire size, pressure , road condition and what the user finds comfortable.

Very good point.

L99CAMA2011 · 05-27-2013, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Stig

Very good point.

My front coilover setting didn't go so well with the stock 20x8s with Pirellis but the 19x9.5" and 275-40-19s Hankook V12 evos inflated to 42psi is the bees knees LOL. Side wall of these Hankooks is too soft but the center tire section is firmer than the stock Pirellis. The overall result is a well balanced, neutral cornering feel and firm not harsh like the Pirellis feel over bumps. So the car stays flat but still compliant over severe bumps.

IPT · 05-28-2013, 01:01 AM

So I was searching posts and Pete had recommended 16 off full hard front, and 8 off full hard rear. Seems like there has been some confusion about the numbers regarding counting up from softest, or down from hardest. What are you guys doing? The range is 30 (hardest) to 0 softest?

Okay - just found this also from Pete - LOL, so now I don't know where to start ..

.

Highlights from the 160086 Instructions

Rear Coil Pre-Load 10mm

Adjustment Starting Setting from Full Soft
Comfort Front 6 Rear 3
Street Sport Front 12 Rear 6
Sport Front 15 Rear 18
Road Course Front 18 Rear 28
Drag Front 3 Rear 16

The Stig · 05-28-2013, 06:15 AM

30 is full hard.

Doc · 05-28-2013, 07:29 AM

I've got basically the same size and tire setup that L99cama2011 does and I've been running 12 front 10 rear on the street, and 20 front 14 rear on the track but now that I've seen what IPT posted about Pete's recommendations I'm a bit mystified about his road course settings. Are you sure he recommended 18 front and 28 rear? It wasn't the other way around; 28 front and 18 rear??

Do you have the link for his recommendations?

jeremywes · 05-28-2013, 09:27 AM

I know that pedders reccomends 10mm's of preload but I think that is way too much and it reduces the effectivness of the dampening. The result is an uncontrolably bouncing ride or a very stiff ride because you have to max out the dampers to the point where they are no longer allowing enough rebound and compression.

... and yes I am aware you need to time the factory bushings after you change the ride height.

05-26-2013, 11:39 PM	#1
IPT Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AK Posts: 819	Coilovers going in - got questions. So my Pedders XA coilovers are getting installed this week (Pace car package). I'll need to measure, but I am pretty sure the front of my car sits higher than the rear right now. I want to be as aggressive as I can with the stance and level it off. I anticipate 1.5 -1.75 of drop. I'm running Forgelines with Nineball's offsets, 275 up front and 315s in the rear. Anyone see an issue with that? Right now it seems to me the stock ride was a little more "bounce" in the rear than the front. I'd like to tame that. What settings are recommended on the coilovers to maintain stock ride feeling (or slightly stiffer if need be) while still dialing up the performance? Any other thoughts, comments, or things you'd do different if you were doing it all over?

05-27-2013, 12:06 AM	#2
BigBlock69RS Ed Drives: 2013 AGM Camaro 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 951	__________________

05-27-2013, 04:14 PM	#5
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	Depending how the roads are where you live (pot holes, etc.) you may not want to drop the front 1.75". It's also good to remember that the rear cradle bushings will raise the rear end just a hair. I have mine set at 14/16 for daily driving. __________________

05-27-2013, 10:13 PM	#8
ddunerider So-Cal Race team!! Drives: Tahoe LTZ,2010 2SS/M6 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Phillips Ranch ca. So-Cal Posts: 5,973 View My Garage	20-17 for track days and 10-12 for street..is what I like __________________ WE RACE DEEP!! BBK Intake, Flowmaster AT cat back Barton shifter,Painted stripes,,Heritage grill,LED DRLs, Smokin Tires!!

05-28-2013, 01:01 AM	#11
IPT Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AK Posts: 819	So I was searching posts and Pete had recommended 16 off full hard front, and 8 off full hard rear. Seems like there has been some confusion about the numbers regarding counting up from softest, or down from hardest. What are you guys doing? The range is 30 (hardest) to 0 softest? Okay - just found this also from Pete - LOL, so now I don't know where to start ... Highlights from the 160086 Instructions Rear Coil Pre-Load 10mm Adjustment Starting Setting from Full Soft Comfort Front 6 Rear 3 Street Sport Front 12 Rear 6 Sport Front 15 Rear 18 Road Course Front 18 Rear 28 Drag Front 3 Rear 16 Last edited by IPT; 05-28-2013 at 02:22 AM.

05-27-2013, 11:21 AM	#3
SGOS252382 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: S.W. Florida Posts: 6,294	Good luck. Not knocking the Pedders XA's, but I couldn't get mine dialed in no matter what setting I tried. There was either too much bounce or the ride was overly firm and squirrelly. During aggressive driving (road course) my car never felt planted. And yes, I had the bushings timed and alignment done twice by a skilled performance shop just to be sure that wasn't the issue. I eventually put the stock suspension back on my car. I'm now looking for a more easily tuned coilover setup. I've heard Pedders supercar coilovers offer a better ride and more control. The basic Pedders XA just didn't offer the control or ride quality I was looking for.

05-28-2013, 06:15 AM	#12
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	30 is full hard. __________________

05-28-2013, 07:29 AM	#13
Doc Dances With Mustangs Drives: 2010 1SS/RS MT Join Date: May 2009 Location: USA Posts: 3,819 View My Garage	I've got basically the same size and tire setup that L99cama2011 does and I've been running 12 front 10 rear on the street, and 20 front 14 rear on the track but now that I've seen what IPT posted about Pete's recommendations I'm a bit mystified about his road course settings. Are you sure he recommended 18 front and 28 rear? It wasn't the other way around; 28 front and 18 rear?? Do you have the link for his recommendations? __________________ Blue Angel is here!! 1SS/RS LS3 M6 IBM

05-28-2013, 09:27 AM	#14
jeremywes Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 504 View My Garage	I know that pedders reccomends 10mm's of preload but I think that is way too much and it reduces the effectivness of the dampening. The result is an uncontrolably bouncing ride or a very stiff ride because you have to max out the dampers to the point where they are no longer allowing enough rebound and compression. ... and yes I am aware you need to time the factory bushings after you change the ride height.