Rear end updgrade for 2ss 45th anniversary - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jesse121pm · 11-13-2021, 06:09 AM

So I need a good list of rear end upgrades because I know the rear ends in 5th gens are not the best. You guys know best though just stuff to strengthen up my rear end. Thank you

KillboyPowerhead · 11-13-2021, 06:44 AM

Will you be racing or street-driving or both? If this is a daily or for occasional track use I'd recommend factory parts (1LE or Z28) because they are plenty adequate for a non-dedicated track car and cost less than aftermarket parts.

With that said, a nice, big sway bar and solid subframe bushings make a world of difference in keeping the rear planted, whether accelerating or cornering (will need to go aftermarket for these).

From here, 1LE/ZL1/Z28 toe links and Z28 trailing arms will help reduce dynamic toe changes when accelerating/braking; the Z28 upper control arm bushings will help reduce wheel hop and bouncing when accelerating and when on uneven pavement; Z28 upper shock mounts will reduce movement in the struts at the frame, improving overall stability; and then there's 1LE shocks/struts or coil-overs...

Not sure how readily available the Z28 parts are anymore, however - I hear they've been discontinued.

CamaroCracka · 11-13-2021, 12:33 PM

They sell billet caps and covers to try and keep the 8.6 carrier in place, but IMO, if you are doing that just get a ZL1 diff and axles.

The only upgrade I would do if I were building an 8.6 is a TrueTrac. Z28 diff came with them stock, but good luck finding one of those.

The 1LE diff is no stronger than the SS, but 1LEs did come with better axles, bigger outer CV on them. They are discontinued now.

The 8.6 holds up pretty well unless you drag race it with sticky tires north of 500whp. Preventing wheel hop with things like aftermarket toe rods and trailing arms will help keep it alive. Solid or poly cradle bushing is another upgrade that helps prevent hop, but that is a good bit of work.

Chris49066SS · 11-13-2021, 01:17 PM

Agreed with CamaroCracka, toe rods, trailing arms, and solid cradle bushings are a great upgrade. My SS axles and diff have held up to 1.5 second 60' with sticky tires, but if you are launching any harder definitely think about a ZL1 rearend with axles and a TrueTrac.

The cradle bushings themselves alone are a good upgrade to mitigate wheel hop and tighten things up, and aren't hard to do. There are some good diy threads and videos in the Suspension forum too

George-CZ · 11-13-2021, 03:07 PM

I can only sign under everything the guys wrote here. Toe rods, trailing arms, solid cradle bushings ... I did all this in practically one upgrade and the car is on a completely different level.
And I have solid cradle bushings only as inserts from Pedders.

When I bought the Camaro in 2016, it still had the original tires from 2009. Hard and slippery.
But as I switched to the new tires they were already holding on the road, it scared me how the Camaro behaves in fast corners.
I thought I bought some bad tires, but only here did I learn that it was completely normal.

So there has been an upgrade and it is okay.

jesse121pm · 11-15-2021, 10:05 PM

I will be just street racing. i want something that will also be able to do a burnout without snapping something. I know they are known for that

11-13-2021, 06:09 AM	#1
jesse121pm Drives: 2012 Camaro 2ss 45th anniversary Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Ohio Posts: 89 View My Garage	Rear end updgrade for 2ss 45th anniversary So I need a good list of rear end upgrades because I know the rear ends in 5th gens are not the best. You guys know best though just stuff to strengthen up my rear end. Thank you

11-13-2021, 06:44 AM	#2
KillboyPowerhead Drives: 2015 Z/22 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 988	Will you be racing or street-driving or both? If this is a daily or for occasional track use I'd recommend factory parts (1LE or Z28) because they are plenty adequate for a non-dedicated track car and cost less than aftermarket parts. With that said, a nice, big sway bar and solid subframe bushings make a world of difference in keeping the rear planted, whether accelerating or cornering (will need to go aftermarket for these). From here, 1LE/ZL1/Z28 toe links and Z28 trailing arms will help reduce dynamic toe changes when accelerating/braking; the Z28 upper control arm bushings will help reduce wheel hop and bouncing when accelerating and when on uneven pavement; Z28 upper shock mounts will reduce movement in the struts at the frame, improving overall stability; and then there's 1LE shocks/struts or coil-overs... Not sure how readily available the Z28 parts are anymore, however - I hear they've been discontinued. __________________ Overkill/Self Tuned; Mace Camshafts; K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake; Ported 80mm Throttle Body/Intake Manifolds/Manifold Spacer; Solo Performance High-Flow Cats, Cat-back Exhaust; Vitesse Motorsports Throttle Controller; Elite Engineering E2 Catch Can; BC Racing BR Coilovers; JPSS Delrin Radius Rod Bushing Inserts, Sway Bars; Pegasus Aluminum Rear Cradle Bushings, Camber/Caster Plates; Z/28 Toe Links, Trailing Arms, Upper Control Arm Bushings, Rear Shock Mounts

11-13-2021, 12:33 PM	#3
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 3,041	They sell billet caps and covers to try and keep the 8.6 carrier in place, but IMO, if you are doing that just get a ZL1 diff and axles. The only upgrade I would do if I were building an 8.6 is a TrueTrac. Z28 diff came with them stock, but good luck finding one of those. The 1LE diff is no stronger than the SS, but 1LEs did come with better axles, bigger outer CV on them. They are discontinued now. The 8.6 holds up pretty well unless you drag race it with sticky tires north of 500whp. Preventing wheel hop with things like aftermarket toe rods and trailing arms will help keep it alive. Solid or poly cradle bushing is another upgrade that helps prevent hop, but that is a good bit of work. __________________ 2010 SS - Kind of an On3 kit, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1 brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. Gen6 ZL1 brakes.

11-13-2021, 01:17 PM	#4
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	Agreed with CamaroCracka, toe rods, trailing arms, and solid cradle bushings are a great upgrade. My SS axles and diff have held up to 1.5 second 60' with sticky tires, but if you are launching any harder definitely think about a ZL1 rearend with axles and a TrueTrac. The cradle bushings themselves alone are a good upgrade to mitigate wheel hop and tighten things up, and aren't hard to do. There are some good diy threads and videos in the Suspension forum too __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

11-13-2021, 03:07 PM	#5
George-CZ Drives: 2010 2SS LS3 and 1978 STROKER 383 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 1,611	I can only sign under everything the guys wrote here. Toe rods, trailing arms, solid cradle bushings ... I did all this in practically one upgrade and the car is on a completely different level. And I have solid cradle bushings only as inserts from Pedders. When I bought the Camaro in 2016, it still had the original tires from 2009. Hard and slippery. But as I switched to the new tires they were already holding on the road, it scared me how the Camaro behaves in fast corners. I thought I bought some bad tires, but only here did I learn that it was completely normal. So there has been an upgrade and it is okay. __________________ My life is a constant struggle with Camaro. K&N CAI, Stainless Power longtubes, high flow cats, modified Ragazzon High Performance axle back, Soler Performance ported throttle body, Soler Performance throttle controller, RAM clutch adjuster, modified LS7 clutch kit, Tick Performance billet bearing support, Tick Performance remote bleeder, separate clutch reservoir, BMR trailing arms, BMR toe rods, Pedders Suspension cradle bushing inserts, Control Arm Bushings, Strut tower brace, oil catch can, Hurst T-handle shifter, 20mm wheel spacers, DBA brakes, QTP Cutouts, Dynosteve tune.

11-15-2021, 10:05 PM	#6
jesse121pm Drives: 2012 Camaro 2ss 45th anniversary Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Ohio Posts: 89 View My Garage	I will be just street racing. i want something that will also be able to do a burnout without snapping something. I know they are known for that