Softer springs for Z/28 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

MIKZ28 · 10-08-2019, 02:20 PM

Just wanted some thoughts on replacing the suspension springs on my 2015 Z/28 to stock SS springs or after market to get a smother ride. My Z is a DD and I never track it. I bought the car for it's LS7 and rarity. I enjoy driving unique cars that nobody else has. I have never seen another Z driving around where I live. (northern IL). My doctor says I must sell the Z because it is hard on my neck because of the very harsh suspension. Most of the roads around here are very rough. I have had severe neck pain since several months after I started driving my Z as a DD. I under stand that you purists out there are going to tell me BUY A ZL1 for DD. But I want to keep my Z and my mind is made up. I will keep the Z/28 parts so it can go back to stock if needed. So I want to keep the F1 struts if possible. Want softer springs the same ride height or possibly an inch higher if needed for travel. Just looking to get some good advise on what springs to buy to meet my objections. I owned a 2010 Camaro SS I drove as a DD for 8 years and never has any neck pain. If I could modify my Z to ride and handle like my SS did I would be pleased. Thanks.

608RS · 10-08-2019, 02:45 PM

you're not too far from NicKey Performance up in Loves Park, i'd give them a ring and see if they can help you out. i'm sure they can figure out a way to make it work.

NicKey

Silveradoss573 · 10-08-2019, 02:58 PM

I'd say you're looking at a full set of springs and struts/shocks. My 1le is really stiff and no way I could ever use it as a daily driver. I'm guessing a SS setup would probably get you what you're looking for...maybe?

NastyNate'sZ28 · 10-08-2019, 03:50 PM

Pretty sure guys have swapped out the factory Struts for a KW coilover system. Guy on Instgram "the_baddest_z28" would know more if you can look him up. With the KW suspension I would guess you could really dial in the ride comfort better.

MX621 · 10-08-2019, 03:55 PM

Your gonna have to Ditch the dssv’s is you need a smoother ride. Softer spring won’t help the fact they are designed to prevent body roll at race track speeds. The shock is hydraulically limited to do just that, just the design intent. I’d say SS struts/shocks with a lowering spring will get you the desired feel and ride hight your after.

j o n · 10-08-2019, 05:01 PM

Get coilovers. Dssv struts/shokcs are the issue not the springs.

He has kw coilovers
https://instagram.com/carbonz28?igshid=1dsijl3bhmrhb

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEj2A6jn...=15p95v98k2rhy

MIKZ28 · 10-08-2019, 06:18 PM

Thank you all for the great suggestions. I think SS springs and struts will be the way to go. Maybe some after market springs to get the slightly lower stance the Z has over the SS. You think a 1" drop all around will be about right? Which is the best lowering springs? hotchkis? Eibach? Many thanks!!!

Mark_Z28 · 10-08-2019, 06:21 PM

Motion control suspension(MCS) has a 1-way non remote reservoir setup that is supposed to work with our cars. I think its like the DSSVs that use a 2.5 inch spring as well so pretty much any spring that size will work.

69L48Z27 · 10-08-2019, 06:41 PM

I think you should get a new doctor! Get rid of the car?!?

j o n · 10-08-2019, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKZ28

Thank you all for the great suggestions. I think SS springs and struts will be the way to go. Maybe some after market springs to get the slightly lower stance the Z has over the SS. You think a 1" drop all around will be about right? Which is the best lowering springs? hotchkis? Eibach? Many thanks!!!

Good review on DSE springs https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...&highlight=Dse

More pics
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...&highlight=Dse

CamaroCracka · 10-09-2019, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69L48Z27

I think you should get a new doctor! Get rid of the car?!?

This.

When you start messing with a proven suspension combination, you can turn the car into a very fast looking grocery getter. The guys replacing the spring/shock combos on the Z28 are generally going to something adjustable. The sway bars on the Z28 are smaller because the spring/shock combo is so stiff. Softer springs will bring more body roll.

MrRaZ28 · 10-09-2019, 08:01 AM

Well, OP DID say they don't track it and only DD it... so grocery getter falls under that designation.

MIKZ28 · 10-09-2019, 10:57 AM

Thanks again for all your help. I think I will go with the DSE speed kit 1 #033023 with Monroe stock style struts. I have Monroe struts on my 2004 Pontiac GTO and they have been flawless. Plus they much cheaper than GM. I may need to also order some small mounting parts as it seems Z/28 dust boots and several other mounting parts are different than the SS.

j o n · 10-09-2019, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIKZ28

Thanks again for all your help. I think I will go with the DSE speed kit 1 #033023 with Monroe stock style struts. I have Monroe struts on my 2004 Pontiac GTO and they have been flawless. Plus they much cheaper than GM. I may need to also order some small mounting parts as it seems Z/28 dust boots and several other mounting parts are different than the SS.

Monroe struts/shocks?

At least put koni's oranges on the car. The DSE spring spring rates can beat up the struts/shocks.

https://konimarket.com/products/2010...ront-right-563

10-08-2019, 02:20 PM	#1
MIKZ28 Drives: 2015 Camaro Z/28 #311 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 133	Softer springs for Z/28 Just wanted some thoughts on replacing the suspension springs on my 2015 Z/28 to stock SS springs or after market to get a smother ride. My Z is a DD and I never track it. I bought the car for it's LS7 and rarity. I enjoy driving unique cars that nobody else has. I have never seen another Z driving around where I live. (northern IL). My doctor says I must sell the Z because it is hard on my neck because of the very harsh suspension. Most of the roads around here are very rough. I have had severe neck pain since several months after I started driving my Z as a DD. I under stand that you purists out there are going to tell me BUY A ZL1 for DD. But I want to keep my Z and my mind is made up. I will keep the Z/28 parts so it can go back to stock if needed. So I want to keep the F1 struts if possible. Want softer springs the same ride height or possibly an inch higher if needed for travel. Just looking to get some good advise on what springs to buy to meet my objections. I owned a 2010 Camaro SS I drove as a DD for 8 years and never has any neck pain. If I could modify my Z to ride and handle like my SS did I would be pleased. Thanks.

10-08-2019, 02:45 PM	#2
608RS Drives: 2015 2ss Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Carol Stream IL Posts: 638	you're not too far from NicKey Performance up in Loves Park, i'd give them a ring and see if they can help you out. i'm sure they can figure out a way to make it work. NicKey __________________ 2015 Camaro 2ss, NicKey Performance built/tuned

10-08-2019, 05:01 PM	#6
j o n Drives: 2015 Z/28 #0058 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 814	Get coilovers. Dssv struts/shokcs are the issue not the springs. He has kw coilovers https://instagram.com/carbonz28?igshid=1dsijl3bhmrhb https://www.instagram.com/p/BEj2A6jn...=15p95v98k2rhy __________________ Current: - '15 Z/28 #0058 \| White \| A/C \| Speakers \| Michelin PS4S 305/30/19's - '22 Ridgeline RTL \| White \| Ebony, '22 CR-V EX-L Hybrid \| White \| Ebony Sold: - '15 Z/28 #0048 \| White \| A/C \| Speakers \| Michelin PS4S 305/30/19's https://www.instagram.com/__jon__athan__/ Last edited by j o n; 10-08-2019 at 05:03 PM. Reason: https://www.instagram.com/p/BEj2A6jnRYt/?igshid=15p95v98k2rhy

10-08-2019, 02:58 PM	#3
Silveradoss573 Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: May 2018 Location: USA Posts: 1,348	I'd say you're looking at a full set of springs and struts/shocks. My 1le is really stiff and no way I could ever use it as a daily driver. I'm guessing a SS setup would probably get you what you're looking for...maybe?

10-08-2019, 03:50 PM	#4
NastyNate'sZ28 Drives: Chevy Camaro Z28 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana Posts: 40	Pretty sure guys have swapped out the factory Struts for a KW coilover system. Guy on Instgram "the_baddest_z28" would know more if you can look him up. With the KW suspension I would guess you could really dial in the ride comfort better.

10-08-2019, 03:55 PM	#5
MX621 Drives: 2014 z28 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: DE Posts: 171	Your gonna have to Ditch the dssv’s is you need a smoother ride. Softer spring won’t help the fact they are designed to prevent body roll at race track speeds. The shock is hydraulically limited to do just that, just the design intent. I’d say SS struts/shocks with a lowering spring will get you the desired feel and ride hight your after.

10-08-2019, 06:18 PM	#7
MIKZ28 Drives: 2015 Camaro Z/28 #311 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 133	Thank you all for the great suggestions. I think SS springs and struts will be the way to go. Maybe some after market springs to get the slightly lower stance the Z has over the SS. You think a 1" drop all around will be about right? Which is the best lowering springs? hotchkis? Eibach? Many thanks!!!

10-08-2019, 06:21 PM	#8
Mark_Z28 Drives: Black 2015 Z28 #457 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 214	Motion control suspension(MCS) has a 1-way non remote reservoir setup that is supposed to work with our cars. I think its like the DSSVs that use a 2.5 inch spring as well so pretty much any spring that size will work.

10-08-2019, 06:41 PM	#9
69L48Z27 Drives: 2015 Z/28; 1969 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: York, PA Posts: 805	I think you should get a new doctor! Get rid of the car?!?

10-09-2019, 08:01 AM	#12
MrRaZ28 @MrRaZ28 Drives: 2014 Z28 #80 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 590 View My Garage	Well, OP DID say they don't track it and only DD it... so grocery getter falls under that designation.

10-09-2019, 10:57 AM	#13
MIKZ28 Drives: 2015 Camaro Z/28 #311 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 133	Thanks again for all your help. I think I will go with the DSE speed kit 1 #033023 with Monroe stock style struts. I have Monroe struts on my 2004 Pontiac GTO and they have been flawless. Plus they much cheaper than GM. I may need to also order some small mounting parts as it seems Z/28 dust boots and several other mounting parts are different than the SS.