Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablility

Suspension, brake, and hydraulic/electric steering discussion.
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Iggy
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:09 pm

Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablility

Post by Iggy »

Suspension Question: How interchangeable are SS or G8 suspension components to the Caprice? I know they are the same GM Zeta platform but not sure how parts swap over.

Thanks
Black6
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:36 pm
Location: Indy

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablil

Post by Black6 »

Simplest way to explain it is that there are 13 and earlier cars. And 14 and later cars. Most 2013 and earlier should essentially interchange with each other. Most 2014-2017 should interchange.
Black 2014 V8

Be jealous of my factory carpet.
Navy Lifer
Administration Staff
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Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:30 pm
Location: Canton GA

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablil

Post by Navy Lifer »

Zeta is also 10-15 Camaro, but sedan front suspension has less commonality with Camaro

VE/VE2/WM
G8 08-09
PPV 11-13

Front knuckles are cast iron - narrow clevis strut
Rear switched to aluminum upper control arms in 2012
Rear crossmember/cradle is common - small sway bar mounting pad
Front bar 23-24 mm
Rear bar 16-18-20 mm - single-bolt insulator clamp

Front replacement service struts include GM for G8 FE3/GXP (if available), 11-13 PPV, and 11-13 PPV aftermarket Monroe. All are made by Monroe AU. Other options would be BC coilovers, H&R coilovers for G8

VF/WN
SS 14-17
PPV 14-17

Front knuckles are cast aluminum - wide clevis strut
Rear crossmember/cradle is common - large sway bar mounting pad
Front bar 26 mm
Rear bar 20mm(PPV) - 25-28mm(SS - uses 2-bolt insulator clamp)

Front replacement service struts are GM-only. H&R offers coilovers for 2014 SS that will also fit 14-17 PPV

Springs fit across all years. MRC springs from 15-17 SS will work on earlier models

Sway bars - front fits across all years, VE/WM rear requires cradle bracket or swap to VF/WN cradle. Rear bar choice also dictates lower control arm configuration

Front strut upper mounts are common across all years.

Upgrade with Camaro rear parts - toe links, trailing link, lower arms, upper arm bushings from 1LE & Z/28 is possible. Camaro rear lower arms (in Chevy Performance catalog) required to use 25mm "wide" rear bar (or swap in 15-17 SS lower arms). Camaro rear lower arms may raise rear ride height slightly with same spring.
Iggy
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:09 pm

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablil

Post by Iggy »

Navy Lifer wrote:Zeta is also 10-15 Camaro, but sedan front suspension has less commonality with Camaro

VE/VE2/WM
G8 08-09
PPV 11-13

Front knuckles are cast iron - narrow clevis strut
Rear switched to aluminum upper control arms in 2012
Rear crossmember/cradle is common - small sway bar mounting pad
Front bar 23-24 mm
Rear bar 16-18-20 mm - single-bolt insulator clamp

Front replacement service struts include GM for G8 FE3/GXP (if available), 11-13 PPV, and 11-13 PPV aftermarket Monroe. All are made by Monroe AU. Other options would be BC coilovers, H&R coilovers for G8

VF/WN
SS 14-17
PPV 14-17

Front knuckles are cast aluminum - wide clevis strut
Rear crossmember/cradle is common - large sway bar mounting pad
Front bar 26 mm
Rear bar 20mm(PPV) - 25-28mm(SS - uses 2-bolt insulator clamp)

Front replacement service struts are GM-only. H&R offers coilovers for 2014 SS that will also fit 14-17 PPV

Springs fit across all years. MRC springs from 15-17 SS will work on earlier models

Sway bars - front fits across all years, VE/WM rear requires cradle bracket or swap to VF/WN cradle. Rear bar choice also dictates lower control arm configuration

Front strut upper mounts are common across all years.

Upgrade with Camaro rear parts - toe links, trailing link, lower arms, upper arm bushings from 1LE & Z/28 is possible. Camaro rear lower arms (in Chevy Performance catalog) required to use 25mm "wide" rear bar (or swap in 15-17 SS lower arms). Camaro rear lower arms may raise rear ride height slightly with same spring.

Thank you! Do you have a prefered place to get Camaro rear parts?
Navy Lifer
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Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:30 pm
Location: Canton GA

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablil

Post by Navy Lifer »

Personally, most of my GM parts come through my local dealer, where I have a very good relationship with the parts department. It's the least I can do for the access and information they share with me. Whether I could spend less going another route, I can't say.

There are many "wholesale" GM parts suppliers - the prices may or may not include markup, shipping, and depending on location (or yours)--or tax policy compliance, taxes may come into play.

I typically use GM Parts Direct as a lookup and pricing source - to validate PN's, and reference of list & selling price. Some parts, such as brake and some suspension components, also are found via sources like Rock Auto, and typically at better pricing than most other sources.

Not much more to offer--a complete list of Zeta Camaro rear suspension parts that can be used on sedans is the only other remaining thing I can think of.
Iggy
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:09 pm

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablility

Post by Iggy »

Thanks BIll!
CrashTestDummy
Posts: 2300
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablility

Post by CrashTestDummy »

And I primarily-use GM Parts Center for almost all my OEM parts purchases:

https://www.gmpartscenter.net/

I've been out of the 'new parts business' long enough to have lost all my contacts with the Dealership. It's convenient for me, since every dealership in the area is a half-hour drive from me.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
G8Guy
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 4:33 pm

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablil

Post by G8Guy »

Navy Lifer wrote: Fri Nov 16, 2018 8:32 am Zeta is also 10-15 Camaro, but sedan front suspension has less commonality with Camaro

VE/VE2/WM
G8 08-09
PPV 11-13

Front knuckles are cast iron - narrow clevis strut
Rear switched to aluminum upper control arms in 2012
Rear crossmember/cradle is common - small sway bar mounting pad
Front bar 23-24 mm
Rear bar 16-18-20 mm - single-bolt insulator clamp

Front replacement service struts include GM for G8 FE3/GXP (if available), 11-13 PPV, and 11-13 PPV aftermarket Monroe. All are made by Monroe AU. Other options would be BC coilovers, H&R coilovers for G8

VF/WN
SS 14-17
PPV 14-17

Front knuckles are cast aluminum - wide clevis strut
Rear crossmember/cradle is common - large sway bar mounting pad
Front bar 26 mm
Rear bar 20mm(PPV) - 25-28mm(SS - uses 2-bolt insulator clamp)

Front replacement service struts are GM-only. H&R offers coilovers for 2014 SS that will also fit 14-17 PPV

Springs fit across all years. MRC springs from 15-17 SS will work on earlier models

Sway bars - front fits across all years, VE/WM rear requires cradle bracket or swap to VF/WN cradle. Rear bar choice also dictates lower control arm configuration

Front strut upper mounts are common across all years.

Upgrade with Camaro rear parts - toe links, trailing link, lower arms, upper arm bushings from 1LE & Z/28 is possible. Camaro rear lower arms (in Chevy Performance catalog) required to use 25mm "wide" rear bar (or swap in 15-17 SS lower arms). Camaro rear lower arms may raise rear ride height slightly with same spring.
On front struts....
I will just add that the Koni insert for the 08/09 G8 does fit into the 2014 SS strut body(wider clevis design/non-mag ride)
2009 G8
14 Chevy SS front and rear complete suspension swap
Brembo's
14 chevy SS wheels
Koni struts/Pedders springs
Navy Lifer
Administration Staff
Posts: 1724
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2013 6:30 pm
Location: Canton GA

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablility

Post by Navy Lifer »

I forgot about the Koni option--how do you like them?

Koni appears to be selling these parts at well below their retail price (have not shopped or compared with other sources):

https://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmer ... mk=36&mt=1

Compare with their listing for 2014 SS sedan - same component PN's:
https://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmer ... mk=10&mt=1

(Front)
8641 1506Sport
KONI List;
$300.00
KONI Online;
$174.00
Each
^^^Special McPherson strut insert bolted into O.E. housing after cutting top and removing old internal parts.

(Rear)
82 2567Sport
KONI List;
$290.00
KONI Online;
$168.20
Each

(Complete Kit--includes lowering springs for G8, not clear whether front struts are complete or inserts)
1145 1098
08-09 G8 base & GT - 1145 Sport Kit (Yellow) Complete Kit
KONI List;
$1524.00
KONI Online;
$883.92

No listing for Caprice 11-17
G8Guy
Posts: 8
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 4:33 pm

Re: Suspension Question: Chevy SS G8/Caprice PPV Compatablility

Post by G8Guy »

I love the Koni's. I've had those for 4-5 years now. The front's Koni's were originally in the G8 strut body and they transferred over just fine into the 14 SS/PPV strut body. Now that I think about it...I believe I literally have 1 14 SS strut body and 1 14 PPV strut body on the G8 now because it was a lot easier to find the PPV struts used. The strut bodies are identical, just the valving is different, so being the Koni insert was going in....it didn't matter.
2009 G8
14 Chevy SS front and rear complete suspension swap
Brembo's
14 chevy SS wheels
Koni struts/Pedders springs
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