Hal gmp15 coil overs In Second Gen Camaro

[g71rs]

I was wondering if any has tried the Hal gmp15 coil overs & shocks for street use? Anyone tried using the Hal - tcp2109p for the rear shocks? on a 71 RS....Do you have to modify the stock arms?
I do have Eaton 5 leaf rear springs that i bought from D&R a few years ago..and have no road use...at that time no one offered lowered rear springs...like Hothchkis does now...i was just wondering what the stance would be like..anyone have pictures to post or send to me would be great...kind of looking for that pro-touring look...lowered look...its been a long process of replace the all front sheet metal and both rear quarters..rockers..tail panel and wheel houses..shaved door handles and seams..fiberglass rs nose...no bumper bolts on any of the front and rear bumpers..finishing up body work now.....motor and trans are out of car..subframe stripping next with with upgrades to front suspension....not going to road race...just going for the lower stance....also what would recommend as for bushing to use on subframe?

[g71rs]

can anyone help

[torval]

Wish I could help, I've got the same plans,but am not as far along as you. The guy I bought my car from put air shocks out back, I guess instead of replacing sagging springs. Thought I might put lowering springs on and just air up the shocks if need be, till I have the $$$ to do the whole suspension. I will just be happy to put the car on the road at this point!

[ks71z28]

Most likely those Eaton springs will be kinda high. My 71 z28 sits with the top of the tires just inside the wheel well. I have a Rancho, yes Rancho spring, shock, and sway bar set up on my car, I also have the front spring mount re-drilled 1/2" lower, and 1/2" lowering blocks in the rear. Try Nastyz28.com, it is a 2ng gen site and really good too. I have pics of my car if you send me a PM I will send them to you. With the Eaton springs atleast a 1" lowering block is needed. I went my route because the more lowering block the more wheel hop, also the re-drilling of the front mount changes the roll center for the beter. anything to help a fellow 2nd gener

my 2cents

Keith

[g71rs]

Hey thanks for the information
I do belong to the second gen site...I did a post there too..no reply..that's why I thought I would try here...
I did call QA1 today about there front coil over conversion...the tech guy told me the most you can lower the kit is 1 1/2" with out running into problems...with shock travel and geometry problems...my front springs are shot...the other owner had those twist knuckles in the spring with rubber blocks...I also had / have the air shock problem in rear shocks from the other owner...didn't change yet because of stripping the underside.then painting..so in the front I think in front ill go for the QA1 coil overs instead off hotchkis 2" lower coils and koni adjustable about 150 difference in price...I'm going to use the eaton springs with 1 1/2" lower block...I can always take it to work and machine it down...that way I could tell more closely where the hotchkis 1 1/2" lower rear leafs would sit my car...I did see the herb adams modification on the second gen site about modify the front spring pocket...but I thought it would make it week...is yours ok so far.....did you plug weld the old hole shut?..I can also do that mod at work too...did it make a difference in cornering?...I think that im going to try the QA1 tc2109p for the rear shocks...instead of the konis that way all shocks same manufacturing....So how do you think this all sounds...sure send some pics of your car...I also ditched the 3 pc rear spoiler for a Toyota one...looks cool

[torval]

I'm kinda surprised no one @ NastyZ responded, I'm a member over there as well, never had that problem. How bout posting the pics here, so we can all check em out!!

[g71rs]

torval
i guess you were asking about the rear spoiler pics?
these were taken after i replaced the rear completely...New rear quarters, rockers, rear tail panel inside and out,outer wheel houses..also shaved the door handles, side marker lights front and back... and most of the seams...thinking about doing the headlights to upper rs valance....i did do the upper rs valance already between parking lights RS ones...but i would like to get rid of the seams where the healight splits...i have to wait until i remove the subframe to do these seams...i dont have any pics on the new nose and roughed in body work...the bumpers waiting to get reblasted from welding and there was still some spots that had chrome on them...I going to get the body a little closer this week and try and remove the subframe next week..the spoiler fits better then this picture...i had to do a lot of work to deck lid...and the trunk isnt latched either

[cdoggy81]

Any updates on this? How did the QA1 coil overs work for the front? I'm about to get some for my 70 but want to make sure they will work.

[g71rs]

it just went back to bodyshop for final block and buff...i have not driven on road yet...i do have to raise it a little in front and im going to take the 3/4 lowering block out of the back...sorry i cant help on ride yet...im going to try and have it on the road in may
my camera is old...pics are not that great...just taken today
get idea about the ride height

[cdoggy81]

Look pretty damn good to me Let us know how she rides when you finally get to play with her!!!

[cdoggy81]

any updates?

[g71rs]

getting closer...still didnt drive on street...im hoping towards end on june....things were tight...money..wasnt getting much overtime... there for a while...needed to take a break from it too....

[cdoggy81]

G71RS,
What # spring did you get for your front coil overs? QA1 says 350# but DSE says 550#.... BIG DIFFERENCE :(
I think you are going to be a big help b/c we both have the same car & from the looks of your what you have in your sig, we are both getting the same parts. Here is what I'm going with:

QA1 GMP3350-3 350# front coil overs w/ 12 way adj. shock
QA1 TC2109P rear shock 12 way adj.
Hotchkis Rear Leaf Spring kit 1.5" drop

I also got:
DSE-030102 Tubular Upper Arm Kit - 70-81
DSE-010201 Body Mounts- 1/2" Drop (this will also help out)
DSE-031402 FRONT SWAY BAR 1-3/8" HOLLOW 70-81
DSE-010103 SUBFRAME CONNECTORS 1970- 1981
To save $ I stayed with the stock lower arms but went with GW Del-Alum bushings.

I really like the look of your car & can fine tune it a bit with lowering blocks for the rear & adj. the springs for the front. I'm just worried about getting too stiff of a front spring if I go with the 550#...
Please LMK if you have any in site on what spring # to get. Thanks

[g71rs]

ok...i tell ya what...here is what i found out so far...just my opinions
bought mine from a place auto fab race cars 410 796 8777 was cheaper then summit but that was two years ago...my tires sizes and offset in signature...

stock a arms..pst poly bushings

qal 7888-110 bearing kit for front shocks fit under nuts..makes it easier to adjust ride height

yes i bought gmp3350-3 front shocks coil over....the other week i raised the front end again...the first couple of weeks stayed then has dropped down again...i was thinking about getting a heavier coil..i thought they made a 450 and 550...but is been two years...
i have a steel cowl hood....all lighter repro sheet metal...alot lighter then stock gm parts......rs nose is fiberglass (lot lighter then stock)..sbc 400 with alum heads, int...battery up front, alum rad...so as weight you kind have and idea...i cant even get a normal sized 3 ton floor under my front subframe...i did insulate my entire car too...so in my case yes i wish i would have bought a heavier spring


tc2109p rear shocks...also bought i think 2" shock extensions..to get shocks back into the center of shock travel

bought the Hotchkis Rear Leaf Spring kit 1.5" drop...back half car has new quarters and tail panel...i did remove 3/4 block had in rear...

i took some new pic the other day but it sitting in grass..yard slopes and is not level.....if click on a pic then click more by user...you can see some others as well...hardly any gas in tank...no spare tire

i hope this helps...like i said i didn't drive it on the road yet either...let me know...

[g71rs]

i can take some pics on the street and closer pics of the front , rear tire clearance if you want...but i cant do it till the weekend....

[cdoggy81]

Thanks, you have been VERY helpful! I like the way your car sits but on the road may tell a different tale... Have you driven it much yet to get the feel? More pics this weekend would be cool!
-
Good call on the QA1 7888-110 bearing kit. I would get that as well.
-
After reading what you said about the GMP3350-3 front shock coil over kit & how much lighter your front end is I will go with the 450# springs (GMP3450-3).
-
What are the 2" shock extensions for the TC2109p rear shocks???
-
I also talked to Frank today & he recommended the old way...
Hotchkis 500# standard coil springs
Hotchkis f shocks
Hotchkis r shocks
2" Drop spindles

Any thoughts on this setup?

[g71rs]

cdoggy81


"What are the 2" shock extensions for the TC2109p rear shocks???"
yes...it puts the shock back in the middle for up and down travel


like i said before i never driven this setup on the street..

im no expert on suspensions...so its your call on what to buy

[cdoggy81]

I looked on QA1's web page but couldn't find that 2" shock extension. Do you have a PT # or is it from another mfg?

Also, what body mounts did you use? Did you drop it any?

I feel good about the 450# ones. Bret has them in his TA but has a big block so I think I will be fine.

Thanks for the good pics & keep the updates coming!

[g71rs]

I looked on QA1's web page but couldn't find that 2" shock extension. Do you have a PT # or is it from another mfg?
i only found them at nappa...didnt search alot of places...i dont have the part numbers sorry


Also, what body mounts did you use? Did you drop it any?
pst...poly graphite same as stock height....didnt drop or use solid bushing


I feel good about the 450# ones. Bret has them in his TA but has a big block so I think I will be fine.

yeah i would start there....im probably going to get them as well...but want to try it first...the 350
Thanks for the good pics & keep the updates coming!
yes...sure...no problem

let me know how you make out as well

[cdoggy81]

Will do