2nd Gen Camaro Front Coilover Suspension

[Bowtie1z28]

Has anyone done a true coilover(not conversion type) setup on the front of a 2nd Gen Camaro. I have seen a few kits for the 1st Gens from DSE and ATS but nothing for 2nd Gens. The only option appears to be to hand fab up the upper mount and mod the lower LCA to accept the coilover. I could go with an aftermarkey LCA but for the cost there is really not any benefit that I have heard and modding the factory ones should not be that hard. Of course if there is anyone out there that has already done this pictures would be great.
Tom

[ProdigyCustoms]

I have been looking around for you tom, have not found anything, this is a good idea looking here. Lets see what we can find?

[SHANE 73Z]

Latreral Dynamics has one in the works. It is a true coilover (fabricated double shear upper mounting/captured spring) design unlike the QA1. I also believe that Varishocks & AFCO have a design that bolts in the stock location with a captured spring as well.

You might want to give LD a call to keep the torch on their backsides.

Shane

[Bowtie1z28]

Frank....I take it that DSE had had nothing to offer for the 2nd Gen Camaro?

Shane....I was looking back thru old posts here on PT and found a few reference to an LD coilover setup but I could not find anything on their website except for info on their 3-link system. I will be calling on Monday to see what they say about the coilover situation.

[Bowtie1z28]

Frank, I like how the true coil over with a fabbed upper mount would look but what about the Varishock coilover conversion with some mods to the factory LCA to lower the mounting point by about an inch. I would need to make some changes anyway using the stock location anyway and that would certainly help prevent the bottoming out situation you mentioned. Doing it this way would require very little work to the factory upper mount except maybe a little reinforcment, although I really doubt that would be necessary. What do you think? Still going to speak with LD on Monday.

Any recomendations on what I should shoot for as a min on the control are to frame clearance? I have it mocked up right now with my current 235/60-15 tires and with 13.5" wheel centerline to fender lip I have about 1.75" between the subframe at the backside of the spring pocket to the control arm right below. Not much room for the LCA bump stops. It looks great the way it is and I am thinking that is the lowest it would be at. I'll get som pics on Monday of how it looks and post them.

[Bowtie1z28]

Here are a few pics of the suspsenion mocked up with and without the front wheel/tire and of the mods I have made to the LCA so far. The subframe to LCA clearance is more like 2" so I might be able to go a little lower yet from where it is at. Thoughts on the ride height where it is now?

[Bowtie1z28]

Did something wrong, had more than one pic to post so I'm trying again with the others.

Tom

[Bowtie1z28]

First

[Bowtie1z28]

LCA mods done so far, spring pocket will eventually get modded for the coilover mount

Sorry, pics did not post! Not sure why, mabye over my space allowance for pics......IDK?

[ks71z28]

Guys with some additional welding and maybe some bracing varishock coilovers can bold right where the shock mounts, that is quite beefy there

[Marcus SC&C]

Geeze I missed another post,sorry about that!

We`ve been doing 2nd Gen coil over conversions with Varishock for a couple years now. It`s really straighforward. If you want to use the stock lower A arms just remove the stock lower shock mount and weld a beefy flat plate with the stock cross bar mounting pattern to the bottom of the arm. Then install the coil overs with the greasable upper bearing mount,adj. the ride height and dampening and enjoy.
You can also use just about any tubular lowers meant for coil overs including the new SPC Performance LCAs. We have quite a few clients running these setups including one road racer in Australia who`s been giving the late model Holden Monaro and Ford Falcon GT race cars fits. Mark SC&C