Front suspension upgrades? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Famous407 · 05-01-2020, 11:50 PM

I see a lot of upgrade parts for the rear suspension, but what is better than stock for the front.
Right now my front end has only been upgraded to 27mm pedders sway bar. What else is everyone doing in the front?

VR Baron · 05-02-2020, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Famous407

I see a lot of upgrade parts for the rear suspension, but what is better than stock for the front.
Right now my front end has only been upgraded to 27mm pedders sway bar. What else is everyone doing in the front?

Not much needed really needed. Z28 arms maybe to sharpen steering. Coilovers all around.

mikeman · 05-02-2020, 01:46 PM

Strut tower brace if you dont already have one. They say it doesn't really do anything, but
felt a small difference when I bought mine.

Avenging Orange · 05-02-2020, 01:48 PM

There are a few bushings you can replace.

Greenhornet2 · 05-02-2020, 01:49 PM

Coil overs. Lowering springs. 1le handling package. Better sway bar links. To name a few things.

cdb95z28 · 05-02-2020, 08:07 PM

The Z front lower control arm does have a stiffer rubber bushing. I upgraded it from my OE 1LE LCA. And as VR Baron mentioned, it sharpened my steering. The Z radius rod is the same as the 1LE except that it has an upgraded insert within the bushing. I try to stay away from poly bushings, they will deform over time. Not good.

LCPLPunk · 05-02-2020, 09:15 PM

Sway bar bushing upgrade/radius arm insert...

olblue75 · 05-02-2020, 09:37 PM

I use a 1LE front bar with a 32mm rear bar, JPSS radius arm inserts, 1LE struts, and ZL1 front brake set up.

VR Baron · 05-02-2020, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

The Z front lower control arm does have a stiffer rubber bushing. I upgraded it from my OE 1LE LCA. And as VR Baron mentioned, it sharpened my steering. The Z radius rod is the same as the 1LE except that it has an upgraded insert within the bushing. I try to stay away from poly bushings, they will deform over time. Not good.

How do you like the z radius rod and lower arm? I have old Pedders poly incert for the radius arm, maybe worn by now

SSammy · 05-03-2020, 12:18 AM

I had to make adjustments to front and rear to get the results I was looking for. Maybe more info than requested, but I did the following....

20x10 +35 wheels front and rear with a square 275 setup - virtually eliminated the inherent understeer.

1LE Strut tower brace - seemed to stiffen things up

BMR 29mm front and 32mm rear adjustable sways (SB039) - greatly improved body roll in hard and high speed corners, provided the ability to adjust bias front to rear.

BMR 1” lowering springs (SP019) - lower center of gravity, progressive rate, made the car more responsive

Tight spec aggressive alignment, -0.8* rear (Minimum negative camber with stock camber bolts when lowered), -1.5* front (to maintain front to rear balance). The car handles excellent in high speed curves and tight corners with this setup, but the aggressive camber isn’t ideal for straight line digs. Trying to find an alignment compromise between handling, tire wear, and traction during acceleration - I’m now waiting on +1* eccentric camber bolts to lessen my camber to -.5* rear and -1.2* front.

Pretty long winded, but I have access to alignment racks and do the work myself, so I figure if I share my trial and error, maybe I can save someone some money and a few trips to the alignment shop.

Black_SS10 · 05-03-2020, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSammy

I had to make adjustments to front and rear to get the results I was looking for. Maybe more info than requested, but I did the following....

20x10 +35 wheels front and rear with a square 275 setup - virtually eliminated the inherent understeer.

1LE Strut tower brace - seemed to stiffen things up

BMR 29mm front and 32mm rear adjustable sways (SB039) - greatly improved body roll in hard and high speed corners, provided the ability to adjust bias front to rear.

BMR 1” lowering springs (SP019) - lower center of gravity, progressive rate, made the car more responsive

Tight spec aggressive alignment, -0.8* rear (Minimum negative camber with stock camber bolts when lowered), -1.5* front (to maintain front to rear balance). The car handles excellent in high speed curves and tight corners with this setup, but the aggressive camber isn’t ideal for straight line digs. Trying to find an alignment compromise between handling, tire wear, and traction during acceleration - I’m now waiting on +1* eccentric camber bolts to lessen my camber to -.5* rear and -1.2* front.

Pretty long winded, but I have access to alignment racks and do the work myself, so I figure if I share my trial and error, maybe I can save someone some money and a few trips to the alignment shop.

I'm running a staggered setup with -.65 camber and I believe 0 toe rear and -1.2 camber in the front. I used SPC eccentric bolts for the rear, so I could get my rear apecs. Even with the wheel setup, the big girl handles very well. I have radius arm inserts, coilovers, BMR toe and trailing arms, Zl1 rear sway, solid subframe bushings, and z28 UCA bushings. If i forgot anything, it's in my sig.

cdb95z28 · 05-03-2020, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR Baron

How do you like the z radius rod and lower arm? I have old Pedders poly incert for the radius arm, maybe worn by now

I don't have the Z radius rod, I added the JPSS Delrin insert to my 1LE radius rod. I made a few changes all at the same time, so I can't say it made a noticeable change.

I did the Z LCA this winter along with the stiffer Z front wheel bearings in an effort to better control camber when loaded. I have not been on track yet to see any changes, but I felt the change with sharper steering. I'm glad I did those for the feel alone.

VR Baron · 05-03-2020, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

I don't have the Z radius rod, I added the JPSS Delrin insert to my 1LE radius rod. I made a few changes all at the same time, so I can't say it made a noticeable change.

I did the Z LCA this winter along with the stiffer Z front wheel bearings in an effort to better control camber when loaded. I have not been on track yet to see any changes, but I felt the change with sharper steering. I'm glad I did those for the feel alone.

Cool. Thanks!

SSammy · 05-03-2020, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black_SS10

I'm running a staggered setup with -.65 camber and I believe 0 toe rear and -1.2 camber in the front. I used SPC eccentric bolts for the rear, so I could get my rear apecs. Even with the wheel setup, the big girl handles very well. I have radius arm inserts, coilovers, BMR toe and trailing arms, Zl1 rear sway, solid subframe bushings, and z28 UCA bushings. If i forgot anything, it's in my sig.

Summit's shipping is taking a little longer than normal, but my SPC's should be here by tomorrow. How is the NVH with the solid subframe bushings? That's the next mod I've been debating, just don't want the wife disappointed with the NVH, she's been really happy with everything so far. I've been wondering if I should compromise and install inserts.

05-01-2020, 11:50 PM	#1
Famous407 @_cherrypoppins Drives: 15 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Orlando Posts: 105	Front suspension upgrades? I see a lot of upgrade parts for the rear suspension, but what is better than stock for the front. Right now my front end has only been upgraded to 27mm pedders sway bar. What else is everyone doing in the front?

05-02-2020, 01:48 PM	#4
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	There are a few bushings you can replace. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

05-02-2020, 01:49 PM	#5
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	Coil overs. Lowering springs. 1le handling package. Better sway bar links. To name a few things. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

05-02-2020, 08:07 PM	#6
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,200	The Z front lower control arm does have a stiffer rubber bushing. I upgraded it from my OE 1LE LCA. And as VR Baron mentioned, it sharpened my steering. The Z radius rod is the same as the 1LE except that it has an upgraded insert within the bushing. I try to stay away from poly bushings, they will deform over time. Not good. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD

05-02-2020, 09:15 PM	#7
LCPLPunk USA-1 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Near DC Posts: 1,893 View My Garage	Sway bar bushing upgrade/radius arm insert... __________________ "A Camaro in the garage is safe, but that's not what Camaros are built for..." R2C CAI / Apex Scoop / VMAX Ported TB / Speed Engineering LTHs / X-pipe / GPI port/rod-mod intake manifold / Circle D 3200 278mm Converter / 3.91 gears / DynoSteve tuned / 1LE Shocks/Struts/Toe Links / ZL1 Rear Sway Bar / Z/28 Trailing arms / Prothane Radius Arm & Subframe Bushings / BMR UCA Bracket, Steering rack bushing / B&M Tranny Cooler / RX Catch Can / Jannetty Tranny Dipstick / 2012+ Heater Hose / 2013+ Rearview Mirror / Fuel rail flip / Drake shifter / Oil Cooler Delete

05-02-2020, 01:46 PM	#3
mikeman Banned Drives: 2015 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: My Garage Posts: 1,125	Strut tower brace if you dont already have one. They say it doesn't really do anything, but felt a small difference when I bought mine.

05-02-2020, 09:37 PM	#8
olblue75 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Clarksville Tennesse. Posts: 6,063	I use a 1LE front bar with a 32mm rear bar, JPSS radius arm inserts, 1LE struts, and ZL1 front brake set up. __________________ 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.

05-03-2020, 12:18 AM	#10
SSammy Drives: 2015 2SS A6 Commemorative Edition Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Utah Posts: 433 View My Garage	I had to make adjustments to front and rear to get the results I was looking for. Maybe more info than requested, but I did the following.... 20x10 +35 wheels front and rear with a square 275 setup - virtually eliminated the inherent understeer. 1LE Strut tower brace - seemed to stiffen things up BMR 29mm front and 32mm rear adjustable sways (SB039) - greatly improved body roll in hard and high speed corners, provided the ability to adjust bias front to rear. BMR 1” lowering springs (SP019) - lower center of gravity, progressive rate, made the car more responsive Tight spec aggressive alignment, -0.8* rear (Minimum negative camber with stock camber bolts when lowered), -1.5* front (to maintain front to rear balance). The car handles excellent in high speed curves and tight corners with this setup, but the aggressive camber isn’t ideal for straight line digs. Trying to find an alignment compromise between handling, tire wear, and traction during acceleration - I’m now waiting on +1* eccentric camber bolts to lessen my camber to -.5* rear and -1.2* front. Pretty long winded, but I have access to alignment racks and do the work myself, so I figure if I share my trial and error, maybe I can save someone some money and a few trips to the alignment shop.