2014 1LE suspension - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ddc456 · 05-21-2021, 01:15 PM

All,

I am sure this has been answered many times, but excuse me I am new to the 5th gens, i just bought this car 2 months ago. I am wanting to lower the car 1-1.25 inches, replace the shocks (Bilstein or coil overs), tired of the hard hits from the shocks when driving over bumps, but what do you guys recommend? or what should i consider doing? The car is mainly street driven, with the idea of future time on the track and auto cross. Thank you all in advance.

Doug

larry_g · 05-21-2021, 03:57 PM

If you don't like hard hits, don't lower it. That said, I had lowering springs on the stock struts an it was way oversprung, putting on Bilsteins made it much more balanced but it's still a stiff ride.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

WarDaddy376 · 06-25-2021, 12:40 AM

larry_g

The original owner of my 2013 SS added Eibach lowering springs to the car before i bought it. Not a fan especially when car gets above 65, thinking about it sounds like you hit the nail on the head about being oversprung.

Could you elaborate on the ride, handling etc when you car had was lowered using stock struts to see if yours was similar to mine especially on speeds over 65mph.

The B6 struts and shocks must be able to control the lowering springs rebound better due to tighter valving and larger piston, correct?

Looking forward to comparing notes and thank you for your input...

larry_g · 06-25-2021, 09:55 AM

Keep in mind mine is a 1LE so the stock setup is already better damped than a standard SS. When I added the lowering springs, the ride got really harsh, especially sudden hits like expansion joints. Even more so when in a high speed corner like a clover leaf ramp.

I didn't realize just how bad it was until I switched to the Bilsteins. The ride was firm but not harsh, it actually felt softer on the sudden hits and I believe that it's because the damping is better matched to the spring rate.

ddc456 · 06-25-2021, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry_g

Keep in mind mine is a 1LE so the stock setup is already better damped than a standard SS. When I added the lowering springs, the ride got really harsh, especially sudden hits like expansion joints. Even more so when in a high speed corner like a clover leaf ramp.

I didn't realize just how bad it was until I switched to the Bilsteins. The ride was firm but not harsh, it actually felt softer on the sudden hits and I believe that it's because the damping is better matched to the spring rate.

Thanks for the feed back. Two weeks ago i put new michelin pilot sport cup 4 285/35zr20in the front and 295's in the rear, and WOW did that change the ride. Night and day compared to the factory tires. I still can't believe how smooth the ride is. Next is going to be Bilsteins and lowering springs. For me, the car looks cooler lowered 1.5 inches. but that's me.

olblue75 · 06-25-2021, 10:21 PM

When you get over 1” of lowering especially in the rear you have to be cognizant of axle angles. An there’s a write up from one of the guys from Katech saying the Bilstein’s need some work to run lowering springs. Found it!

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...light=Bilstein

WarDaddy376 · 06-25-2021, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry_g

Keep in mind mine is a 1LE so the stock setup is already better damped than a standard SS. When I added the lowering springs, the ride got really harsh, especially sudden hits like expansion joints. Even more so when in a high speed corner like a clover leaf ramp.

I didn't realize just how bad it was until I switched to the Bilsteins. The ride was firm but not harsh, it actually felt softer on the sudden hits and I believe that it's because the damping is better matched to the spring rate.

Thanks for the quick response, my issue is at high speeds on any road that's not smooth, a bump, any kind of depression in the road it litterally makes me come out of my seat and hit my head on the roof liner. Car only has 14,654 miles on it so the problem points to lowering springs not other suspension components.

Here are my options as I see it.

1) Go back to stock springs, upgrade shocks to B6

2) Keep Eibach lowering springs upgrade to Pedders, Koni or B6 shocks.

3) Remove Eibach springs, Install Detroit Speed Lowering Springs keep stock shocks and struts per there recommendation. I was given this suggestion awhile ago thru JPSS (when they were open for business)

05-21-2021, 01:15 PM	#1
ddc456 Drives: 1970 RS Z28, 1973 Z28, 2014 1LE Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 49	2014 1LE suspension All, I am sure this has been answered many times, but excuse me I am new to the 5th gens, i just bought this car 2 months ago. I am wanting to lower the car 1-1.25 inches, replace the shocks (Bilstein or coil overs), tired of the hard hits from the shocks when driving over bumps, but what do you guys recommend? or what should i consider doing? The car is mainly street driven, with the idea of future time on the track and auto cross. Thank you all in advance. Doug

05-21-2021, 03:57 PM	#2
larry_g Drives: 2014 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 826	If you don't like hard hits, don't lower it. That said, I had lowering springs on the stock struts an it was way oversprung, putting on Bilsteins made it much more balanced but it's still a stiff ride. Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk __________________ 830 WHP 700 WTQ, Whipple 2.9 @ 13lbs Boost, Flex Fuel Tune by Blevins Tuning, LSA SBE, 3.5 GripTec, ATI LS3 Damper, AFR 260cc Mongoose, ARP Studs, Yella Terra Ultralites, Johnson 2110R, BTR PDS Stage 3, Melling 10355, Improved Racing Baffle, ID1050X, DSX Triple Fuel Pump, RotoFab CAI, NW 103mm TB, Stainless Works 1-7/8" LTH to 3" Speed Eng w/ X-pipe to NPP, Powermaster 9509 XS, Detroit Speed Motor Mounts, MGW, Monster LT1-S, ZL1 Calipers, DBA Rotors & Pads, Bilstein B6 Struts & Shocks, BMR 1.25" Drop Springs & Adj Rear Bar, Pegasus Solid Bushings, Z/28 Wheels, other misc parts.

06-25-2021, 09:55 AM	#4
larry_g Drives: 2014 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 826	Keep in mind mine is a 1LE so the stock setup is already better damped than a standard SS. When I added the lowering springs, the ride got really harsh, especially sudden hits like expansion joints. Even more so when in a high speed corner like a clover leaf ramp. I didn't realize just how bad it was until I switched to the Bilsteins. The ride was firm but not harsh, it actually felt softer on the sudden hits and I believe that it's because the damping is better matched to the spring rate. __________________ 830 WHP 700 WTQ, Whipple 2.9 @ 13lbs Boost, Flex Fuel Tune by Blevins Tuning, LSA SBE, 3.5 GripTec, ATI LS3 Damper, AFR 260cc Mongoose, ARP Studs, Yella Terra Ultralites, Johnson 2110R, BTR PDS Stage 3, Melling 10355, Improved Racing Baffle, ID1050X, DSX Triple Fuel Pump, RotoFab CAI, NW 103mm TB, Stainless Works 1-7/8" LTH to 3" Speed Eng w/ X-pipe to NPP, Powermaster 9509 XS, Detroit Speed Motor Mounts, MGW, Monster LT1-S, ZL1 Calipers, DBA Rotors & Pads, Bilstein B6 Struts & Shocks, BMR 1.25" Drop Springs & Adj Rear Bar, Pegasus Solid Bushings, Z/28 Wheels, other misc parts.

06-25-2021, 10:21 PM	#6
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,064	When you get over 1” of lowering especially in the rear you have to be cognizant of axle angles. An there’s a write up from one of the guys from Katech saying the Bilstein’s need some work to run lowering springs. Found it! https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...light=Bilstein __________________ Orange Krush II 1LE Front sway bar, Splitter, shocks and struts, Z28 dual mode mufflers, Intake, UCA Bushings, and Toresen 3.91 Diff. 1 piece DSS Drive Shaft, ZL1/C7 Calipers, and 32mm JPSS Rear Bar. ASC race spec splitter and wicker. 6th Gen M017 Wheels. Stainless Works 1 7/8 LTs. DSE and PAFDT Suspension components. Last edited by olblue75; 06-25-2021 at 11:29 PM.

06-25-2021, 12:40 AM	#3
WarDaddy376 Drives: 2013 SS Camaro Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: SoCal Posts: 76	larry_g The original owner of my 2013 SS added Eibach lowering springs to the car before i bought it. Not a fan especially when car gets above 65, thinking about it sounds like you hit the nail on the head about being oversprung. Could you elaborate on the ride, handling etc when you car had was lowered using stock struts to see if yours was similar to mine especially on speeds over 65mph. The B6 struts and shocks must be able to control the lowering springs rebound better due to tighter valving and larger piston, correct? Looking forward to comparing notes and thank you for your input...