Chevrolet Camaro Suspension Upgrade - Chevy High Performance Magazine

Chevrolet Camaro Suspension Upgrade Wheel Well

With the recent, explosive rise in popularity of second-gen Camaros, now is the time to build one. It's hard to go around any corner without seeing these gems in action; be it on any number of message forums to local drag race websites. The good news is, they're still relatively affordable and perform well right out of the box. Yet as nice as they are, we're fortunate to have a plethora of aftermarket companies that offer products for them, including Performance Suspension Technology (PST). If you didn't already know it, they offer off-the-shelf suspension components that are ready to be bolted in, the minute you take them out of the box.

Chevrolet Camaro Suspension Upgrade Leaf Spring

With the car on the lift, we started to tear down the old suspension out back. Using a 9/16-inch socket, Lou Zamora removed the bolts for the worn-out shocks.

With the car on the lift, we started to tear down the old suspension out back. Using a 9/1

The owner of this Camaro has an iron-headed big-block that's just waiting to be dropped in with the full intention of transforming it into a street terror with the occasional grudge night races at the local track. In order to prep it, our initial once-over revealed that the entire suspension was shot and in no condition to handle the power whatsoever.

After some debate on the direction to go, we called PST, who got us in touch with everything we needed to make this big-block Camaro worthy. PST suggested their line of rear 11/2-inch multi-leaf lowering springs for the rear with their 2-inch drop springs up front, which are suited for the added weight of a big-block. At the same time, we opted to replace the front subframe bushings with PST's polyurethane units and all new hardware. This would provide a completely new foundation to work with and more importantly, this would allow the owner to safely harness the power to the ground as it rips through the quarter-mile.

Chevrolet Camaro Suspension Upgrade Leaf Springs

Old vs. New: Leaf springs
While the old leaf springs may have had a little bit of life left in them (as seen by the arch), the new ones from PST will not only lower the car but should be able to adequately handle the extra grunt of the big-block to come. Also, the rubber pads that ride on top of and below the leaf spring will wear over time so new PST pads come with the rear leaf kit. With the shocks out of the way, Al Jimenez began to disassemble the leaf-spring perches. To loosen the four nuts from the perch, Jimenez used a 5/8-inch socket attached to an impact gun. Once removed, we kept the perch, but tossed out the old U-bolts, nuts, and washers. Multi-leaf kits come with all new hardware including larger diameter U-bolts, nuts, and washers.

Old vs. New: Leaf springs While the old leaf springs may have had a little bit of life l

Getting the job done, we headed back to Lou's Performance in Sun Valley, California. While this job can be completed in the comfort of any home garage, it's hard to shy away from a lift, especially when it's available. Needless to say, Lou's team made quick work of the suspension components in a day's outing and showed just how easy it was to modernize this rubber-bumper chassis.

Obviously, without the engine, transmission, driveshaft, or interior the ride height is going to be affected. Just for reference, we thought it would make sense to measure the ride height before and after the install. The ride height for the unladen Camaro in front was 29 3/8-inches while the back measured in at 28 3/4-inches.

Obviously, without the engine, transmission, driveshaft, or interior the ride height is go
To remove the leaf spring completely, the rear took a 3/4-inch wrench while the front three bolts that fasten the leaves to the body used a 9/16-inch socket and impact gun. Once the leaf spring was removed, the bushings in the rear can be taken out and thrown away.

To remove the leaf spring completely, the rear took a 3/4-inch wrench while the front thre

We like one-stop shops and PST can provide nearly every bushing for your project vehicle. In our case, everything from the suspension to the body bushings are available for this second-gen. To complete the package, most come with all-new hardware, which eliminates the need to chase down new bolts and washers at your local hardware store. Even better, the polyurethane bushings have a longer life span over traditional rubber components and are stiffer to cut back on any deflection, or "squish," in the bushings under load.

We like one-stop shops and PST can provide nearly every bushing for your project vehicle.
It was time to add in the new leaf-spring bushings. With the old ones pushed out of the rear subframe, Lou greased up the new PST bushings and pressed them in with a large set of pliers. The front portion of the new drop leaf-spring was also given the same treatment with brand-new PST bushings.

It was time to add in the new leaf-spring bushings. With the old ones pushed out of the re

Lou hung the new U-bolts and then installed the new rubber spring pads to isolate any road vibrations. Next, the leaf springs and pads were sandwiched with the factory spring perch. From there we installed the new nuts with their washers and tightened everything down with an impact gun.

Lou hung the new U-bolts and then installed the new rubber spring pads to isolate any road
Sunken Treasure
One of the best parts about doing a project build is you never know what you'll find along the way. While loosening the fuel tank to gain better access to the rear body bushings, our eyes widened as the original buildsheet from the factory fluttered to the shop floor. While it's a bit tattered, you can still read some of the factory options. It turns out, this Camaro came with factory A/C and power brakes and it was originally built in the old GM plant in Van Nuys, Ca.

Sunken Treasure One of the best parts about doing a project build is you never know what

Quick Notes

What We Did
Swaped the rear leaves, added big-block drop springs up front, and installed new polyurethane body bushings

Bottom Line
This chassis is ready for a big-block upgrade

Cost (Approx)
$870

SHOPPING CART
MFG	DESCRIPTION	PRICE
PST	2-inch big-block drop springs with 11/2-inch rear lowering leaf springs (package set)	$599
	Polyurethane front subframe bushings	95
	KYB shocks (set of 4)	179
	TOTAL	$873

Moving to the front was simple. All that was needed was a 3/4-inch wrench to loosen and remove the upper spindle nut from the upper A-arm. We fully extended the lower A-arm and rotor down far enough to remove the old coil spring.

Moving to the front was simple. All that was needed was a 3/4-inch wrench to loosen and re
While the car was still on the lift, we moved on to replace the bushings for the front subframe. The PST front subframe bushing kit comes with six all-new polyurethane bushings, washers, and bolts. The trick here is to separate the body from the frame just enough to remove the bushings. We did one side at a time. For the body bushing supporting the firewall, we used a 15/16-inch socket and an impact gun to loosen and remove the old rubber bushing.

While the car was still on the lift, we moved on to replace the bushings for the front sub
Old vs. New: Coil Springs With an iron-headed big-block in this Camaro's future, it was necessary to make sure the suspension was well prepared. These feature a 600 lb rate, are 2-inch drop springs to properly lower the front end and support the weight of the big-block. We bolted the upper spindle to the A-arm and tighted the assembly back together.

Old vs. New: Coil Springs With an iron-headed big-block in this Camaro's future, it was n

We reinstalled the new PST bushing and utilized a steel punch to locate and center the subframe to the body of the Camaro. Once aligned, Lou tightened the assembly.

We reinstalled the new PST bushing and utilized a steel punch to locate and center the sub
We followed up with the rest of the body bushings along the subframe and used the same procedure on the opposite side as well.

We followed up with the rest of the body bushings along the subframe and used the same pro
While we still didn't see much drop after the install of the new components was completed, we took note of the measurements anyway. The front measured 29 1/4-inches and the rear measured in at 28 1/4-inches. Keep in mind none of the suspension was settled and there is still no drivetrain or interior. We can't wait to get the engine in.

While we still didn't see much drop after the install of the new components was completed,

We replaced all the shock bushings and ditched the old shocks in favor of these new mono-tubes from KYB. While these aren't race-specific, we have no doubt they'll get the job done.

We replaced all the shock bushings and ditched the old shocks in favor of these new mono-t
Stayed tuned, next month we'll install the new PST subframe connectors in our Step-By-Step department. With the suspension on the Camaro rebuilt front to rear, future plans call for an install of the drivetrain. We'll make sure to keep you up to date and provide true ride height measurements once everything has settled in.

Stayed tuned, next month we'll install the new PST subframe connectors in our Step-By-Step

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