New Caprice - Discussion forums

The different part numbers changing from year to year probably changed due to type of rear sway bar being used and also magnetic ride control being introduced. I went with the 2014 springs as they were the closest to my platform.

Regards,

Maurice

I swapped some low mileage stock 2013 Caprice rear strut/spring assemblies with the factory 2011 Caprice rear strut/spring assemblies and it made a 100% improvement it ride quality. I read that the 2011 rear struts had some pretty strong valving and GM changed to some with softer valving in the 2012/2013's. My car is a semi daily driver, so I try prefer to keep the suspension as stock as possible. I can remember when the local PD added several Caprices to their fleet and I would be following beside or behind them and it looked like the rear suspension did not budge any when they drove down some of the bumpier streets in town. Now the car at least feels like the rear suspension compresses a little when the car goes over a small dip in the road. I have a 80 Corvette with the gymkhana suspension option and I believe it was a smoother ride than the Caprice until rear strut swap.

David

There may not be a choice NOT to swap over to the SS springs- the Caprice springs show "Discontinued"

There's still rear springs available, and I'd see no reason why you can't use 2016 springs for the front.

CrashTestDummy wrote:There's still rear springs available, and I'd see no reason why you can't use 2016 springs for the front.

Well that's good to know
I'm replacing the struts and was planning on reusing the OEM springs. The rear is done, I used the Monroe replacement for the back - they're stamped "made in Australia" and came with the lower spring rubber.
Was making plans to work on the front and the springs have lost most of the black coating and are all rusted up.

I am thinking about installing SS springs on my 2013 PPV. Does anyone have any regrets after using these springs for a bit? Assume these are more than cosmetic and the car handles better? Thx!

No regrets at all. I was glad to get rid of the heavy/stiff rated springs in the rear. The originals were designed with the assumption of a lot of gear and electronics in the trunk. The car still has great handling. I also had the TPMS thresholds dropped down so that I could run 35 psi without getting the warnings. I haven't talked to or seen anyone that hasn't liked this upgrade.

Regards,

Maurice

Thanks. I was hoping to hear this!

Pursuit wrote: I also had the TPMS thresholds dropped down so that I could run 35 psi without getting the warnings

Maurice

HOW DID YOU DO THIS?

P.S. I have the SS springs/later shocks and 1LE rear lower control arms on my 2011 and the ride is much less harsh than stock despite using 19" tires.

xcidmigs wrote:

Pursuit wrote: I also had the TPMS thresholds dropped down so that I could run 35 psi without getting the warnings

Maurice

HOW DID YOU DO THIS?

P.S. I have the SS springs/later shocks and 1LE rear lower control arms on my 2011 and the ride is much less harsh than stock despite using 19" tires.

Whats the advantage to the 1LE control arms? Was the swap so you could run wider rims, or do they have some kind of improved suspension geometry?