2nd gen. Camaro - Spring Rate with LS1

[Toadman]

I'm currently running 600# front springs and a 1.3125" dia. front anti-sway bar. Front tires are Sumitomo HTR Z II 245/45R 17. Shocks are QA1 Stocker Star 12-way adjustable. I'm currently swapping from a 350 to an LS1. When running autocross, I'm currently on the verge of understeer that I've been able to control by adjusting tire pressure. (Also may be due to driver inexperience!)

My concern is that when I go to the lighter aluminum block LS1 my spring rate will be too much. I feel that my combination of sway bar size & spring rate may already be too stiff.

Thoughts???

[John Wright]

Nah, IMHO the springs and the rate should be fine. If you soften the springs up front you might end up with the nose diving under hard braking.

Adjust the handling with your front and rear bars.
Soften up the end that needs grip. That 1 5/16" bar up front may be your current understeering issue. Might try adding a rear bar or increase it and see if that frees you up, careful and don't go too large on the rear bar or it will be way too free.

[David Pozzi]

Does your 350 have aluminum heads?
If it does, you won't save much weight going to the LS1.

I wouldn't worry about front spring rate, 600 is not over stiff. A rear bar will be needed with either engine.
David

[Toadman2230]

Iron heads on the 350. I should have also mentioned that I installed a 7/8" dia. rear bar in the fall, but didn't get a chance to try it on a course. As much as I could tell, it seemed to help during spirited street driving.

Anyone know if there is a source for info on various engine weights?

[David Pozzi]

With iron heads on a complete SB engine with starter, water pump and pulleys you are probably in the high 400 lb range, around 480 to 500.
I think the LS engines are low 400's, 410?. The late aluminum headed SB crate engines in similar dress with aluminum water pump are around 40 lbs heavier than an LS engine around 450lbs.

DSE switched from a GM 383/425 crate engine to MAST LS, I think an L92 based setup. Savings was 30 lbs!

[John Wright]

Anyone know if there is a source for info on various engine weights?
http://brian-callahan.com/Brians%20stuff/camaro_database.htm

Here is a database that is in a sticky over on a 2gen camaro forum...lots of good data to draw from in there. I didn't see any weights in regards to LSX engines, but SBC and BBC stuff is in there.
I'm sure there is another source to use for the LSX stuff.