Suspension Upgrade

[CamaroBlue]

I know virtually nothing on suspension but I know I want to improve the ride of my car. It will still be for street use but where should I begin on improving handling? I have a 2010 Camaro SS and I heard suspension was upgraded in 2012. I'm always hearing about pedders but don't know what's best for me. Any suggestions?

[caverman]

Convert over to the FE4 suspension (2012+) and either go with Pedders or Pfadt ZL1 spec bars. You should also have a set of cradle bushings (or bushing inserts) installed. Then have your car aligned to either Pedders or Pfadt "Aggressive Street" specs. That will make a big difference in your handling.

[PfadtRacing]

Hi CamaroBlue,

Basically, if you are just looking for a good package of parts to install that gives you the best bang for the buck performance improvements, then you should look at our Stage 2 package with lowering springs and sway bar upgrades. This is a simple bolt on upgrade system that lowers the car about 1"-1.25", and give you better handling and flatter cornering. Sway bars are the easiest install and fastest way to improve the vehicle's response to your steering inputs. This package will create a precise and sharp feeling to cornering. And it is very inexpensive for your 2010 Camaro!




If you wanted to improve the ride quality AND gain performance, I would certainly recommend installing a set of our Feather Light Coilovers. Our coilovers are USA-made and hand-built right here in our offices. This is on top of having the adjustable ride damping so you can set it to however soft or firm you want it. In addition, you can set your ride height to be very low, or at stock height, or anywhere in-between!

These are a GM licensed Product!



The other two things to mention is that after you upgrade your swaybars, the next best thing is going to be to replace your rear subframe bushings with solid ones that we manufacture, to get rid of all of the rear end movement that your vehicle sees. Couple that with our rear arm package and you literally have the best-of-the-best in terms of rear suspension upgrades that you can FELL in the drivers seat. Check out this video owe did to illustrate exactly how much that rear subframe moves:



After that, you mention that you heard about the 2012 suspension upgrades. This is great for sure, but not entirely necessary unless you are REALLY trying to reduce body roll the absolute most you can. The reason why is GM changed the attachment points for the rear swaybar on the rear lower control arms for the 2012 V8 models. They changed it for the better and located them outboard towards the wheel more which gives the potential for much more "anti-roll" or roll-stiffness. What our bars to is INCREASE this roll stiffness even further to create the ultimate adjustable front and rear sway bar package for any 5th Gen Camaro. But in order to do this, you have to upgrade your factory rear lower control arms and endlinks to the new GM design. This adds cost and depending on your overall goals may not actually be money worth spending.

The new Pfadt F&R adjustable ZL-Spec sway bars, for new GM design


The new GM designed Rear lower control arms and endlinks for 2012+ V8 Camaros

[caverman]

Personally I hate the little thin endlinks that come on the FE3 suspension. That's one of the main reasons I converted over to the FE4 style. That's on top of the fact that the FE4 style have been out performing the FE3 based on comments from those that race and have done the conversion. I just did my conversion a few weeks ago so I haven't been able to put mine to the real world test at an Auto-X or drag strip.

When researching the brands, get quoted on the difference if you were to go with converting over to FE4. You might be surprised that the price difference isn't all the much.

[CamaroBlue]

Is the FE3 what my 2010 camaro has?

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by caverman

Convert over to the FE4 suspension (2012+) and either go with Pedders or Pfadt ZL1 spec bars. You should also have a set of cradle bushings (or bushing inserts) installed. Then have your car aligned to either Pedders or Pfadt "Aggressive Street" specs. That will make a big difference in your handling.

Hey thanks for the recommendation! Good call on the alignment specs, here they are (use the performance street specs):

[PfadtRacing]

Originally Posted by CamaroBlue

Is the FE3 what my 2010 camaro has?

Yes that is correct. Your 2010 SS has the FE3 suspension package. FE4,FE5 and FE6 suspension packages will be for 2012+ V8 Models. All of them (FE4-6) will incorporate the same Rear Lower Control Arms and Rear Endlinks that I pictured above.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

Originally Posted by CamaroBlue

I know virtually nothing on suspension but I know I want to improve the ride of my car. It will still be for street use but where should I begin on improving handling? I have a 2010 Camaro SS and I heard suspension was upgraded in 2012. I'm always hearing about pedders but don't know what's best for me. Any suggestions?

There is a reason that you keep hearing about Pedders.

If you have any questions in regard to Pedders, it's parts, or any of it's dealers let me know, i'd be happy to help.

I see that you are from TX, where abouts in TX are you located?

[CamaroBlue]

Originally Posted by Rob@WretchedMS

There is a reason that you keep hearing about Pedders.

If you have any questions in regard to Pedders, it's parts, or any of it's dealers let me know, i'd be happy to help.

I see that you are from TX, where abouts in TX are you located?

I'm in Houston.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

Pedders is in Center Point, about an hour north of San Antonio.

We have a couple dealers in your area that can assist with installation if needed too (and more in the San Antonio area). Alternativley, you could bring it to Fredricksburg and have Heath and the guys do it at American Brake and Muffler, and you might even get Pete (President of Pedders USA) to stop in to check things out.

[Matt @ FSP]

Originally Posted by CamaroBlue

I know virtually nothing on suspension but I know I want to improve the ride of my car. It will still be for street use but where should I begin on improving handling? I have a 2010 Camaro SS and I heard suspension was upgraded in 2012. I'm always hearing about pedders but don't know what's best for me. Any suggestions?

What are your final goals with the car, horsepower/modification wise? Are you planning on going to the strip occassionally or the road course? This will help us give you the information that you need.

Like Pfadt has said already...

- Sway bars, lowering springs (Or coilovers), trailing arms, toe rods, subframe bushings, poly control arm bushings... The list can go on. Let us know your goals and we can cater a package towards that.

[Rob@WretchedMS]

Before you make any decisions on your suspension,

5th Gen Suspension -- The Book

Take a look at the book, be sure to read through, as there has been a lot of info added to it in later posts.

This is the most complete place to find info about your Camaro suspension.

[A_DILLA]

Originally Posted by PfadtRacing

Hi CamaroBlue,

Basically, if you are just looking for a good package of parts to install that gives you the best bang for the buck performance improvements, then you should look at our Stage 2 package with lowering springs and sway bar upgrades. This is a simple bolt on upgrade system that lowers the car about 1"-1.25", and give you better handling and flatter cornering. Sway bars are the easiest install and fastest way to improve the vehicle's response to your steering inputs. This package will create a precise and sharp feeling to cornering. And it is very inexpensive for your 2010 Camaro!




If you wanted to improve the ride quality AND gain performance, I would certainly recommend installing a set of our Feather Light Coilovers. Our coilovers are USA-made and hand-built right here in our offices. This is on top of having the adjustable ride damping so you can set it to however soft or firm you want it. In addition, you can set your ride height to be very low, or at stock height, or anywhere in-between!

These are a GM licensed Product!



The other two things to mention is that after you upgrade your swaybars, the next best thing is going to be to replace your rear subframe bushings with solid ones that we manufacture, to get rid of all of the rear end movement that your vehicle sees. Couple that with our rear arm package and you literally have the best-of-the-best in terms of rear suspension upgrades that you can FELL in the drivers seat. Check out this video owe did to illustrate exactly how much that rear subframe moves:



After that, you mention that you heard about the 2012 suspension upgrades. This is great for sure, but not entirely necessary unless you are REALLY trying to reduce body roll the absolute most you can. The reason why is GM changed the attachment points for the rear swaybar on the rear lower control arms for the 2012 V8 models. They changed it for the better and located them outboard towards the wheel more which gives the potential for much more "anti-roll" or roll-stiffness. What our bars to is INCREASE this roll stiffness even further to create the ultimate adjustable front and rear sway bar package for any 5th Gen Camaro. But in order to do this, you have to upgrade your factory rear lower control arms and endlinks to the new GM design. This adds cost and depending on your overall goals may not actually be money worth spending.

The new Pfadt F&R adjustable ZL-Spec sway bars, for new GM design


The new GM designed Rear lower control arms and endlinks for 2012+ V8 Camaros

how much is the springs kit?

[CamaroBlue]

As far as power the most I want to do is a full exhaust and tune. I'm going to read that link about 5th gen suspension to better answer how far I wanna take that. I don't necessarily plan on going to the strip but not against it in the future.