Second Gen Camaro Coilovers

[dipren443]

For starters, is there anything out on the horizon for the 2nd Gens?? I would really like to run a true coilover shock/spring (was looking at Koni 30 Series stuff). Also, I was looking at the DSE setup for the first gens and was wondering if it would be possible to modify it for use on the a 2nd Gen??? Anybody try this yet?

[Mean 69]

Yes, there is a coil-over kit for second gen Camaros coming out soon, from us (Lateral Dynamics). In fact, the design for the upper control arms is complete and parts are inbound for the first (small) production run. The lower arms are being prototyped, and the concept for the upper coil-over mount is already completed as well, just need to firm up some design details. The upper coil-over mount bracket will not require removal and relocation of the stock upper control arm mount on the frame, but it will require trimming, and welding in order to incorporate it into the setup. We were also able to squeak a bit or performance out of the suspension geometry through a slight modification of the factory stuff, improving both camber gain as well as roll center migration (laterally, primarily).

Lastly, and it is still a short ways out, we are working on a nice big brake kit to work with the factory spindles using (initially) Wilwood brake components, including their very nice recent six pot Superlight calipers and large rotors (13" and 14").

When I say we are working on it, what I really mean is that we are working our butts off on it, basically seven days a week and are getting pretty close to completion of all of the details, we're really excited about it. Perfect match for our rear 3-Link setups for these cars.

Mark

[Marcus SC&C]

I dunno if you`d say they`re on the horizon because they`ve been in production for several years but Alston/Varishock has a nice true coil over conversion for 2nd gens. http://www.scandc.com/varishocks.htm We`ve sold more of these than any other Varishock dealer (or so they tell me) and real world feedback has been very good. Nice,well proven setup. They`re pretty popular with 2nd Gen customers who get our StreetComp suspension packages. Mark SC&C

[dipren443]

I dunno if you`d say they`re on the horizon because they`ve been in production for several years but Alston/Varishock has a nice true coil over conversion for 2nd gens. http://www.scandc.com/varishocks.htm We`ve sold more of these than any other Varishock dealer (or so they tell me) and real world feedback has been very good. Nice,well proven setup. They`re pretty popular with 2nd Gen customers who get our StreetComp suspension packages. Mark SC&C

Mark,

So I am assuming these true coilovers use a conventional shock mount or do the stock control arms have to be modified?? Also, what diameter spring is used for these and are they rebuildable?

Thanks,
Nick

[dipren443]

Yes, there is a coil-over kit for second gen Camaros coming out soon, from us (Lateral Dynamics). In fact, the design for the upper control arms is complete and parts are inbound for the first (small) production run. The lower arms are being prototyped, and the concept for the upper coil-over mount is already completed as well, just need to firm up some design details. The upper coil-over mount bracket will not require removal and relocation of the stock upper control arm mount on the frame, but it will require trimming, and welding in order to incorporate it into the setup. We were also able to squeak a bit or performance out of the suspension geometry through a slight modification of the factory stuff, improving both camber gain as well as roll center migration (laterally, primarily).

Lastly, and it is still a short ways out, we are working on a nice big brake kit to work with the factory spindles using (initially) Wilwood brake components, including their very nice recent six pot Superlight calipers and large rotors (13" and 14").

When I say we are working on it, what I really mean is that we are working our butts off on it, basically seven days a week and are getting pretty close to completion of all of the details, we're really excited about it. Perfect match for our rear 3-Link setups for these cars.

Mark

What is the approximate time frame for completion? How compatible will this setup be with ATS's AFX spindle?

Oh, and I am guessing this was the control arm pictured in the infamous control arm, beer, cigar pic from SEMA??

[Mean 69]

Yeah, that was the first prototype, we just wanted to show our approach to some of our friends there and get some feedback. The feedback was, er, "good." That particular arm was missing some additional webbing/gussets that will be present in the production version, it is a very sexy piece in addition to some trick functionality.

The holidays have caught up to us faster than I had expected, and I am certain that this will have a negative consequence somehow, I just don't know what/where, etc! I had hoped to have the first several sets available by the end of this year, but my current guess is that we'll probably be well into January before we have parts available to sell to the public. I wish it were sooner, but we have a ton of stuff going on beyond building and shipping rear suspension kits, so I hope this works for your schedule(s) if you're interested. Oh, and EVERYTHING we build or will build will be completely compatible with the awesome AFX spindles, including the first gen pieces also well into development, and shortly afterwards, A body goodies too. We fully endorse those pieces, Tyler and team did an outstanding job with them.

Thanks for the interest, and best of luck with your project whichever direction you go!

M

Mark

[Marcus SC&C]

Nick, they use a beefed up cross bar on the bottom that mounts in stock holes but on *top* of the arms so that loads are transfered to the arms rather than just the bolts. They`re made to work with stock arms. Aftermarket "coilover" tubular arms are a little stronger in the mounting area. The top uses a reinforced aluminum mount with an integral greasable bearing to eliminate side loading. It bolts into the stock upper shock mount. I`m told (by Chris A. himself) that it`s totally unnecessary to beef up the stock shock mounts but the fabricator in me would probably reinforce the stock mounts some if I were running really high spring/dampening rates and beating on it hard/regularly. The springs are standard size 2.5" coilovers. We`ve used them with Eibach coilover springs a few times when we needed odd length/rate springs that Varishock didn`t catalog. VS has a pretty wide assortment though. The shocks are totally rebuildable. They can be revalved also,although the adj. range is so wide it should never be necessary. Mark SC&C