Lowered springs for a ZL1 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

axnhose · 01-08-2013, 09:23 PM

Hey guys, I looking to lower my 2013 ZL1 and am wondering what the best way to do it is. I only want to go about 1 to 1 1/2 inches front and rear, so let me know what to do.

What I really want to do is just lower the car 1.5 inches in the front, and 1 inch in the rear. Im not doing it for performance, just for looks.

Thanks

Richy_Rich · 01-08-2013, 09:55 PM

There is 1 owner on here that has done it,

hognutz · 01-09-2013, 12:25 AM

Pedders had a kit. There are limits because if the mag ride.

FINALLYSATISFIED · 01-09-2013, 12:33 AM

Pdaft?

ZL1LEGEND · 01-09-2013, 01:28 AM

I wouldn't do it, just my opinion. There is so much engineering put into this suspension i would think all of the algorithms would be thrown off if the angles/hight is altered.

People can make claims that their kits don't upset the mag ride control, but does anyone really have proof of this? I don't know. The way the ZL1 is set up, im happy with GM on this one.

An SS is a different story, but the ZL1, i would leave it alone.

Just saying.

ZL1-V · 01-09-2013, 02:52 AM

I have had plenty of lowered vehicles before. I am leaving this one alone! You will gain NOTHING by lowering it with the exception of it looking pimped out if that's what you want? Do you plan on taking the car to a ROAD COURSE and driving it lowered? Your suspension settings such as camber and toe are going to have to be redone if you lower the car. Once you do that the car will then ride and handle like crap, but it will look good! There was a lot of R&D put into the ZL1 and I'm not screwing mine up. There is a good reason that these cars come from the factory at this height. Don't forget you'll have to shorten the sensor rods for the mag ride shocks.

Rodslnger · 01-09-2013, 07:54 AM

lowered mine 2 months ago and no problems here. Bmr split drop springs.

SSOOCH · 01-09-2013, 07:56 AM

Here's what you do to improve the suspension on a ZL1....

NOTHING!!!

sammyv · 01-09-2013, 09:11 AM

Pete form Pedders and his company have done a lot of research in this area.

dangjohnny · 01-09-2013, 09:16 AM

I would stay away from pedders springs. I know of someone who had returned their springs cause of the bounciness. Eibach would be my choice if getting springs only.

Taser Deployed · 01-09-2013, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1LEGEND

I wouldn't do it, just my opinion. There is so much engineering put into this suspension i would think all of the algorithms would be thrown off if the angles/hight is altered.

People can make claims that their kits don't upset the mag ride control, but does anyone really have proof of this? I don't know. The way the ZL1 is set up, im happy with GM on this one.

An SS is a different story, but the ZL1, i would leave it alone.

Just saying.

Richy_Rich · 01-09-2013, 10:06 AM

That raises a question:
Other than the magneto strut, is everything else the same between the SS and ZL1 in terms of bushing sizes/qty, various suspension parts and springs?

If both cars share the same relevant parts, but maybe the ZL1 has a hybrid rubber/poly bushing set and a little more beef in the moving components(sways bars, lateral arms and radius rods); then I would only expect the Magneto strut to be the saving grace of that suspension.

If that is the case, I'd personally swap every bushing at a minumm to a full poly-urethane material. If I were inclined to be extreme, I'd look for a full ball bearing type set up for each connecting / moving suspension component. I don't honk that exists yet, so it looks like a combo of various vendors would need to be engaged for a full suspension make over.

Pedders does not do bushing yet, Pfadt only shows SS parts, not sure if they would Zl1 interchangeable.

PAUL SS · 01-09-2013, 11:24 AM

I wouldn't mess with a ZL1 ride height.

ZL1LEGEND · 01-09-2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richy_Rich

That raises a question:
Other than the magneto strut, is everything else the same between the SS and ZL1 in terms of bushing sizes/qty, various suspension parts and springs?

If both cars share the same relevant parts, but maybe the ZL1 has a hybrid rubber/poly bushing set and a little more beef in the moving components(sways bars, lateral arms and radius rods); then I would only expect the Magneto strut to be the saving grace of that suspension.

If that is the case, I'd personally swap every bushing at a minumm to a full poly-urethane material. If I were inclined to be extreme, I'd look for a full ball bearing type set up for each connecting / moving suspension component. I don't honk that exists yet, so it looks like a combo of various vendors would need to be engaged for a full suspension make over.

Pedders does not do bushing yet, Pfadt only shows SS parts, not sure if they would Zl1 interchangeable.

The SS does not have the same suspension as the ZL1. I think it's very different out side of the mag ride control that the SS does not have.

01-08-2013, 09:23 PM	#1
axnhose Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: California Posts: 122 View My Garage	Lowered springs for a ZL1 Hey guys, I looking to lower my 2013 ZL1 and am wondering what the best way to do it is. I only want to go about 1 to 1 1/2 inches front and rear, so let me know what to do. What I really want to do is just lower the car 1.5 inches in the front, and 1 inch in the rear. Im not doing it for performance, just for looks. Thanks Last edited by axnhose; 01-10-2013 at 05:16 PM.

01-08-2013, 09:55 PM	#2
Richy_Rich FAVOR Drives: Many Different Rides Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: GA Posts: 783	There is 1 owner on here that has done it, __________________ Please be kind when you drive; thank you.

01-09-2013, 12:25 AM	#3
hognutz Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: tangent or Posts: 2,984	Pedders had a kit. There are limits because if the mag ride. __________________ shopping for 2017+1le or zl1 2009 CTS-V -sold 2015 Hellcat-sold 2013 ZL1 -sold 2007 Z06- sold 2014 Chrysler 300 2011 Duramax 8" lift, deleted tuned

01-09-2013, 07:54 AM	#7
Rodslnger Drives: camaro Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Uranus Posts: 127	lowered mine 2 months ago and no problems here. Bmr split drop springs. __________________ -2000 camaro ss Lsx 427 Tf245 6 bolt Twin turbs. - 2015 C7 zo6 halltec Pulley headers- 2018 Zl1 a10 2650 maggie CSP headers big gulp 103mm

01-09-2013, 07:56 AM	#8
SSOOCH Camaro SL,UTs Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,358 View My Garage	Here's what you do to improve the suspension on a ZL1.... NOTHING!!! __________________

01-09-2013, 12:33 AM	#4
FINALLYSATISFIED Est.1775 Drives: '15 Challenger Hellcat (sold) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 5,502	Pdaft?

01-09-2013, 01:28 AM	#5
ZL1LEGEND ZL1 - The Legend Returns! Drives: 2013 ZL1 Camaro Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 265	I wouldn't do it, just my opinion. There is so much engineering put into this suspension i would think all of the algorithms would be thrown off if the angles/hight is altered. People can make claims that their kits don't upset the mag ride control, but does anyone really have proof of this? I don't know. The way the ZL1 is set up, im happy with GM on this one. An SS is a different story, but the ZL1, i would leave it alone. Just saying.

01-09-2013, 02:52 AM	#6
ZL1-V Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,155	I have had plenty of lowered vehicles before. I am leaving this one alone! You will gain NOTHING by lowering it with the exception of it looking pimped out if that's what you want? Do you plan on taking the car to a ROAD COURSE and driving it lowered? Your suspension settings such as camber and toe are going to have to be redone if you lower the car. Once you do that the car will then ride and handle like crap, but it will look good! There was a lot of R&D put into the ZL1 and I'm not screwing mine up. There is a good reason that these cars come from the factory at this height. Don't forget you'll have to shorten the sensor rods for the mag ride shocks.

01-09-2013, 09:11 AM	#9
sammyv Drives: 2013 red Lingenfelter ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: zionsville IN Posts: 567	Pete form Pedders and his company have done a lot of research in this area.

01-09-2013, 09:16 AM	#10
dangjohnny Drives: ‘21 ZL1 1LE 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Floribama Posts: 622	I would stay away from pedders springs. I know of someone who had returned their springs cause of the bounciness. Eibach would be my choice if getting springs only. __________________ ZL1 1LE Black - 6MT - PDR - Nav - Michelin PS4s

01-09-2013, 10:06 AM	#12
Richy_Rich FAVOR Drives: Many Different Rides Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: GA Posts: 783	That raises a question: Other than the magneto strut, is everything else the same between the SS and ZL1 in terms of bushing sizes/qty, various suspension parts and springs? If both cars share the same relevant parts, but maybe the ZL1 has a hybrid rubber/poly bushing set and a little more beef in the moving components(sways bars, lateral arms and radius rods); then I would only expect the Magneto strut to be the saving grace of that suspension. If that is the case, I'd personally swap every bushing at a minumm to a full poly-urethane material. If I were inclined to be extreme, I'd look for a full ball bearing type set up for each connecting / moving suspension component. I don't honk that exists yet, so it looks like a combo of various vendors would need to be engaged for a full suspension make over. Pedders does not do bushing yet, Pfadt only shows SS parts, not sure if they would Zl1 interchangeable. __________________ Please be kind when you drive; thank you.

01-09-2013, 11:24 AM	#13
PAUL SS The Mark of Excellence Drives: 2010 ABM 1SS RS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Smallest State in the Union Posts: 8,690 View My Garage	I wouldn't mess with a ZL1 ride height. __________________ BMR, CAI, DynoMax, Elite Eng., Hurst, Jannetty, Clear Image Headers & Hi Flow cats, Jet Hot, LSR, TSW, VMax, Vredestein