Coil over or drop springs?

[Kendall421]

I want to do one or the other this winter. Like lowering the car a little. Wanting to go coil over so I can balance the car back out I do have digital race scales and know how to setup the chassis. Thinking coil overs.
Cost aside...best coil overs are? Again, not looking for "bang for the buck". I want the best made...gonna do this once and be done with it.

[cdb95z28]

Detroit Speed/JRI. Lots of use by hardcore Gen 5 Camaros in OPTIMA's Batteries Search for the Ultimate Street Car series.

Penske's are out there also, but not as much use.

Both are of exceptional quality.

[PapaKlutch]

Yep, DSE is supposed to be a great way to go. But, they are 4500-6000+ per set of 4! That's a bunch of $ if you aren't racing.

A thought.....DSE's lowering springs and Bilstein shocks/struts all around are a very good and cost-effective way to lower the car.

[Mgizzle]

The DSE lowering springs drop so much though and the cost makes no sense for springs alone. Why do you think that bilstein struts would work well with DsEs? After years of thinking about it I pulled the trigger on BMr lowering springs, to be honest not a fan of lowering cars but with my weight reduction I barely get camber on my 1LE so a drop was needed for that alone. Plus I paid $195 for new shipped so if they dont work out oh well, lost $100 if I sell em.

As far as coilovers, penske are best from just looking at what SCCA guys use. Their resources are straight up pro level. KW clubsports in my opinion based on racing and resources but they are tuned for stock cars. Ridetechs are aluminum and allow custom spring rates and that is a huge plus if you ask me but finding what rate to run for your specific car is the hard part. At least they seem to be able to help you with that once you throw some specs their way. dSe coilovers, dont onow much but for the money God dang...... just have to question when Moreno brothers are selling penskes at $5900

[Olddudesrule]

I've been wrestling with this ever since I bought the 1LE. If my car was a straight SS, it would simply be an issue of the cost between the springs and the coilovers. Since GM engineers have gone the extra mile with the 1LE suspension package, and I do track the car, I hate the thought of f-ing the handling up.

That said, all other things being equal, trying to justify the cost/benefit between $200-$500 in springs vs. $3000-$6000 in the better quality coilovers (I wouldn't waste the time and money in the cheaper brands if I tracked the car), comes down to this;

a. Do I have the $$ to blow on coilovers? (no, not really...)

b. Am I really that serious about dialing in the handling of my car beyond OEM. (again, no, not really....haven't even reached the cars current potential yet beyond out braking the damn thing...)

Maybe things will change down the road. Guys like Justice Pete and the Moreno Brothers are making things hard for me. Just my .02....

[PapaKlutch]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

The DSE lowering springs drop so much though and the cost makes no sense for springs alone. Why do you think that bilstein struts would work well with DsEs? After years of thinking about it I pulled the trigger on BMr lowering springs, to be honest not a fan of lowering cars but with my weight reduction I barely get camber on my 1LE so a drop was needed for that alone. Plus I paid $195 for new shipped so if they dont work out oh well, lost $100 if I sell em.

According to Peter at JPSS, the Bilstein's all around plus the DSE springs are a good, cost-effective alternative for many folks to get good performance at a reasonable price.

[Mgizzle]

this is the first time I heard bilsteins and DsE springs, both built independently of each other are a good fit over 1LE suspension. The springs alone are too expensive if you ask me and 1.5" drop is too much for a strut car. It would be nice if folks who did the mods threw some laptimes or something.

Would be interesting how the z/28 dampers with 1" drop springs the same rate as the z/28 would do...

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

this is the first time I heard bilsteins and DsE springs, both built independently of each other are a good fit over 1LE suspension. The springs alone are too expensive if you ask me and 1.5" drop is too much for a strut car. It would be nice if folks who did the mods threw some laptimes or something.

Would be interesting how the z/28 dampers with 1" drop springs the same rate as the z/28 would do...

I did the BMR 1" springs with the DSSVs. I'm back on the Z/28 springs. There is not as much travel in the DSSVs. All I want is a lousy 1/2" drop. If you add camber plates it adds ride height. I would likt to find someone like Swift who would make a 1/2" drop Z spring with the same rates

[PapaKlutch]

Originally Posted by Mgizzle

this is the first time I heard bilsteins and DsE springs, both built independently of each other are a good fit over 1LE suspension. The springs alone are too expensive if you ask me and 1.5" drop is too much for a strut car. It would be nice if folks who did the mods threw some laptimes or something.

Would be interesting how the z/28 dampers with 1" drop springs the same rate as the z/28 would do...

Peter of JPSS was discussing Strut/Damper/Spring Setup here; see #4:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461028

[cdb95z28]

The Z/28 DSSV's/springs are stiff. Tons of rebound, but awesome. Still on the Goodyears. I'm looking at track wheels and 305/19's all around for the track to maximize the DSSV's. I only have one wish from the Z/28 stuff: I want it lower to look bitchin, only a 1/2". The Z/28 struts/springs only lowered the rear of my 1LE, the front stayed the same as OE.
I took my camber plates off in search of missing OE off center feel and to get the front ride height down.

[Kendall421]

Lots of great feedback! Thanks all! Decisions come spring.

[Jayjellyfish212]

Originally Posted by Kendall421

Lots of great feedback! Thanks all! Decisions come spring.

Going coilovers myself too...so many choices though.. not going top shelf though. Willing to drop 1000-1500. Anything more I just feel is a waste for me ,because I'm not going to win any money or anything so just looking for better upgrade over stockers, get height choices at will and also the advantage of weight reduction.

[markgws6]

For those with the Z/28 springs and dampers, do they take out the annoying front "stooping" when I stop on my stock 1LE suspension? I'd like the same or similar ride comfort with minimal or no front squat when I stop. I do not care about ride height. Sorry if I hijacked this thread to ask the question!

[Woodsman44]

This isn't answering your Z/28 specific question but I went with 1" BMR drop springs and it was a huge improvement in brake dive on my 1LE. It was very annoying with stock springs.