yargnits wrote:I agree that putting new struts up from is a good idea just because what a pain it would be to do it later. So, with that I started looking into options. I was more of a Bilstein guy back in the day but they don't even offer anything for our cars. I'll poke around and see what's out there besides the stock offering. I have a little time yet. I still don't have enough info on what springs to get.
So, when replacing the front springs, and maybe the struts, new bushings would probably be a good idea too. Anything else?
The ride/compliance issue gets a bit complicated when you move away from OE spring options. Those of us who have opted for SS sedan springs are generally very pleased with the result, even if the drop is less than with the range of aftermarket choices. With further lowering the spring rates have to rise to control bottoming, which brings back some of the ride complaints with the production PPV springs. Depending on wheel/tire selection, lowering then leads to potential tire rub issues, especially in the rear (fixed by sheetmetal massage). With your current 18" Camaro wheels this should never be an issue, but lowering often leads to the desire to go to a wider wheel & tire combination.
The other thing to remember is that with the limited range of options in strut/shock offerings, at least cost-considered, the Monroe shocks (OE & aftermarket) as the low-end choice, may not be a good match as the car is lowered--valving comes down to managing energy storage & release as the springs cycle, in hopes of providing acceptable ride conditions for the vehicle occupants. Some decisions can make that more difficult, such as larger wheels with shorter sidewalls, or tire pressure choices--the OE (door sticker) pressure settings are based on an in-service PPV with a full load of equipment, a condition that is rarely going to be experienced by owners in this group. The more expensive damper options offer some adjustability, and some (Monroe Australia, for example) address/acknowledge the need for a shorter strut when a lowering spring is part of the package.
One other possibility did occur to me--the 2014 SS strut & shock is a unique/unicorn fitment which may be another/better option over the PPV strut/shock setup. It would be interesting to put them side-by-side with OE PPV hardware to see what the physical differences may be. The one thing "for sure" is that they are only going to be direct-fit on the 14-17 PPV....backfit to 11-13 PPV may be possible, again with either a knuckle swap or some sort of clevis spacer for the narrower cast iron knuckle.
PN's for 2014 SS:
92270676 front strut (R) -
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... wtdjgtZ2Fz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
92270677 front strut (L) -
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... wtdjgtZ2Fz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
92139207 clevis bolt -
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... wtdjgtZ2Fz" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (needed for installing SS struts on 11-13 PPV)
92270678 rear shock -
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... OC1nYXM%3D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A bit more costly than the PPV damper package (nearly $500 for all 4), but it would properly complement the use of SS springs, as far as ride control--and not to worry, the front strut upper mount is the same for all PPV's and SS's.
I too was/am a Bilstein devotee, beginning way back in 1972--I was stationed in San Diego, and went to visit the then fairly recently established and small Bilstein US headquarters on Sorrento Valley Rd, to see what they had to fit my 1970 Nova. Fast forward to present--as far as I know, the Zeta platform never caught their attention, but I never asked, either, even though I lived in Poway, CA--Bilstein's current US HQ location--as recently as 2014 to 2016, nor did I take the opportunity to talk to them at SEMA last year. Anyway, the only premium option I'm aware of is Koni for the G8 - cut apart stock front struts and install the Koni strut cartridge, I believe.
H&R has a coil-over setup for 2014 SS (PN 50755) that (I believe) uses Bilstein struts--to use them would require a knuckle swap or possibly a clevis spacer to fit their kit to WM (2011-2013) PPV's. I just checked, and there is now also a listing for G8 coil-over setup (PN 50751), so fitment to both WM or WN is possible, whether H&R would bless it or not. Caprice PPV does not exist in the H&R lookup system, but that just means they've never done any testing of existing Zeta parts (G8 lowering springs or either coil-over package) to validate them. Plenty of people are using H&R springs on PPV with good results. The list price on the coil-overs is rather stiff, at $1580.00, but Tire Rack shows both SS & G8 kits at $1242.00.
Tire Rack also lists the Konis, including a combination package with Eibach moderate lowering springs (for G8) for $859.00 for all 4 corners--this would fit 2011-2013 PPV for certain, but for 2014-2017, the later strut housing would have to be used for it's wider clevis mount.
https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/Sus ... toModClar=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You make reference to replacing bushings--on what? If you're at 30K, I doubt there's much to worry about. When we did the brake and strut/spring swap, new strut mounts (SuperPro polyurethane) went in front, and new OE rubber upper mount inserts went in back. Spring seat rubber, and new cupped washers for front strut mounts (per bulletin) went in--they actually came with the SuperPro mounts, too. Since I was using a production spring package, I also stayed with the standard bump stops, but installed new ones. New front sway bar links were installed, just as a precaution, based on many reports of them wearing out/rattling. This all was done in the 65K miles range.
If I had it to do over again, I would probably use the front upper strut mount PN 92284577, which appears in a strut service bulletin, as the latest iteration of the OE part.
From the library--you've probably seen/read most all of these already, but this may be helpful to others:
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... 1040#p9358" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... 40&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=1537" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... f=18&t=835" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=1891" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=2180" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=2080" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.newcaprice.com/forum/viewto ... =18&t=2040" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... t-92284577" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (latest version of front strut upper mount)
https://www.gmpartsdirect.com/oem-parts ... 12OC1mbGV4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;