Lowering with GM parts
09-04-2008, 06:58 PM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-11-2007
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 299
I installed the rear springs yesterday, lowered it just the right amount. Low enough to tell but not too low that the vehicle loses versatility. Still gotta get the fronts installed hope to have them on by next week :)
The ride is AWSOME, there is NO difference with the spring change.
The ride is AWSOME, there is NO difference with the spring change.
10-28-2008, 11:26 PM
#55
Member
Join Date: 10-18-2008
Location: Lakewood, CA
Posts: 14
Has anyone purchased Cobalt SS rear springs lately?
Apparently, you guys purchased them all. There are none in the US as of yesterday. I don't want to order them and have to wait 3-6 months for them. Anyone have a lead? GM parts direct.com had them on an order basis. Thanks for the help
Ryan
Apparently, you guys purchased them all. There are none in the US as of yesterday. I don't want to order them and have to wait 3-6 months for them. Anyone have a lead? GM parts direct.com had them on an order basis. Thanks for the help
Ryan
10-29-2008, 06:50 PM
#57
Member
Join Date: 10-18-2008
Location: Lakewood, CA
Posts: 14
11-01-2008, 08:32 PM
#58
Senior Member
Join Date: 01-13-2008
Location: Washington State, where it rains
Posts: 4,708
Something everybody seems to overlook when changing springs..while most people wouldn't notice unless they've been this route before (and those worrying about "blowing" out the stock shocks) "lowering springs" for the most part come with an increased spring rate..thats why when cross breeding springs the rates are important,just because they are shorter doesn't make them stronger..1/32 dia difference doesn't seem like much..but it does make a difference.Just look at sway bars that increase in 1/8" increments(of course the # is greater because the bar has to cover "both" sides of the front, compared to springs that only cover one corner).Back to shocks..when increasing the spring rate a corresponding increase and sometimes even greater rate is needed from the shocks.You can almost guarantee the stock shocks are on the "low" end of the "needed" rebound compression range, so how are these going to respond to the increased spring rates?They will feel soft and mushy as they will not be able to keep up with the spring ocilations( and will eventually overheat in extreme cases )thus , yes, they will wear out,even though most shock people swear shocks don't wear,but thats another story. The average driver may not feel this,but a "tuned experienced driver" will. Just ask anybody who has ever set up a vehicle for racing.The smallest amount of change can make the greatest amount of handling.So,In short(yeah right) if you go with ANy spring changes,one should also change shocks/struts to "match" the set.Granted right now there are not alot of aftermarket parts so your stuck with the factory pieces(Koni's are really stiff if you want to bring them up and most people wouldn't like them for everyday use,but damn do they handle).Hope that settles some questions around the forums..feel free to link to other threads if needed. As an added note, as with any improvements made,,its all in "how" you drive that dictates how they react,so yes,stock shocks will work for awhile,but they will go "away" sooner.
11-01-2008, 11:58 PM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: 06-01-2008
Location: arlington texas
Posts: 2,762
Something everybody seems to overlook when changing springs..while most people wouldn't notice unless they've been this route before (and those worrying about "blowing" out the stock shocks) "lowering springs" for the most part come with an increased spring rate..thats why when cross breeding springs the rates are important,just because they are shorter doesn't make them stronger..1/32 dia difference doesn't seem like much..but it does make a difference.Just look at sway bars that increase in 1/8" increments(of course the # is greater because the bar has to cover "both" sides of the front, compared to springs that only cover one corner).Back to shocks..when increasing the spring rate a corresponding increase and sometimes even greater rate is needed from the shocks.You can almost guarantee the stock shocks are on the "low" end of the "needed" rebound compression range, so how are these going to respond to the increased spring rates?They will feel soft and mushy as they will not be able to keep up with the spring ocilations( and will eventually overheat in extreme cases )thus , yes, they will wear out,even though most shock people swear shocks don't wear,but thats another story. The average driver may not feel this,but a "tuned experienced driver" will. Just ask anybody who has ever set up a vehicle for racing.The smallest amount of change can make the greatest amount of handling.So,In short(yeah right) if you go with ANy spring changes,one should also change shocks/struts to "match" the set.Granted right now there are not alot of aftermarket parts so your stuck with the factory pieces(Koni's are really stiff if you want to bring them up and most people wouldn't like them for everyday use,but damn do they handle).Hope that settles some questions around the forums..feel free to link to other threads if needed. As an added note, as with any improvements made,,its all in "how" you drive that dictates how they react,so yes,stock shocks will work for awhile,but they will go "away" sooner.
11-03-2008, 01:52 AM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: 01-13-2008
Location: Washington State, where it rains
Posts: 4,708
yes!....saying if you want to do it totally correct..match the shocks to the springs...otherwise one will overload the other..if your shocks are too stiff then the spring is not allowed to do its job..if the shocks are too soft..then the springs will over work/overpower the shocks.Basis chassis tuning.
If you really want to understand the spring /shock relationship..do some research...you'll learn a bunch of "damn!I never knew that" ..wish I had a link for ya,but,,its there.
If you really want to understand the spring /shock relationship..do some research...you'll learn a bunch of "damn!I never knew that" ..wish I had a link for ya,but,,its there.