Question for suspension experts re: 2015 Z/28

[ArisESQ]

This may come across as blasphemy to some, but I thought it was at the very least a question worth asking. Hoping some suspension gurus can help me out!

I picked up a 2015 Z/28 a few months ago and started tracking the thing literally the week I got the car - it is unquestionably the best car I have ever driven (on or off track). I'm obsessed with the thing.

I've done 4 track days so far - 2 at Thunderhill (3 mile and 5 mile), and 2 at Laguna Seca. I'm by no means a pro driver, but I'm becoming more comfortable with the limits of the car and have been getting a little more consistent with lap times.

Being a car enthusiast, I've obviously looked into possible upgrades to the suspension. The thing is pretty sorted as is, but I'm wondering if there is room for variation or improvement. Also, to be perfectly honest, I think it would look pretty mean if it was about an inch lower with a slight rake. At this point I've picked up a set of Moreno Motorsports camber plates to dial in a little more camber but have not installed them yet.

I'd like to retain the stock dampers on this thing as the DSSV are pretty perfect as is. Would it be possible to run a different/shorter set of springs and matching sway bars without any compromise in performance? I'm not interested in any modifications that negatively effect it's driving dynamics.

Appreciate the feedback!!

[DBasher]

I agree with you on the lowering, it'll look great and if done right will improve the performance...that's all I know about that. Are you running a race compound tire on the Camaro? Any aero improvements? Just thinking out loud about the slippery slope you're on. :yes:

:cheers:

[ArisESQ]

I agree with you on the lowering, it'll look great and if done right will improve the performance...that's all I know about that. Are you running a race compound tire on the Camaro? Any aero improvements? Just thinking out loud about the slippery slope you're on. :yes:

:cheers:

Honestly the thing has pretty much everything out of the box. I have the OEM wickerbill spoiler, and the front splitter it came with is perfect. It also came with carbon ceramic brakes and forged wheels, so I don't really think there can be much if any improvement in aftermarket options. It WOULD be cool to see it a smidge lower though...

The factory tires are the Pirelli Trofeo R, which I would say is about as close to a slick as a DOT tire can get. Those are pretty much toast after 4 events. Next set will likely be the Pilot Sport Cup 2, or possibly Nitto NT01.

[Rod P]

the 5th gens are fun cars and even the z needs some help it was tamed down for street use, I was lucky enough to build and maintain several 5th gens, we raced then all over the US in the Optima series .....I think the basic DSE Speed ! (http://www.detroitspeed.com/2010+F-Body-Products/033021-speed-kits.html)kit would help you the most, it adds springs and better sway bars and you keep the z dampeners

here is the some of those cars

this one has the full DSE speed kit 3

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/RodneyProuty/5th%20gen/ken-s-showtime-motorsports-camaro-z-28-built-by-raymond-s-performance-is-powered-by-a-720hp-427ci-mast-ls7-mated-to-a-ppg-se_zpsao1zm4gj.jpg (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/RodneyProuty/media/5th%20gen/ken-s-showtime-motorsports-camaro-z-28-built-by-raymond-s-performance-is-powered-by-a-720hp-427ci-mast-ls7-mated-to-a-ppg-se_zpsao1zm4gj.jpg.html)

this one we kept the stock z dampners and use the DSE speedd kit 1

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/RodneyProuty/5th%20gen/11011053_451787598318862_2520612791887660500_n_zps khkmpt15.jpg (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/RodneyProuty/media/5th%20gen/11011053_451787598318862_2520612791887660500_n_zps khkmpt15.jpg.html)

this one we used Phadt and it sucked so it was changed to ridetech

http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa393/RodneyProuty/5th%20gen/1502368_428493807314908_1087791792794242155_o_zpsz rkghcy1.jpg (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/RodneyProuty/media/5th%20gen/1502368_428493807314908_1087791792794242155_o_zpsz rkghcy1.jpg.html)

[ArisESQ]

Awesome! Thanks Rod - I may go ahead and pick that kit up.

I notice on the DSE website it states that the DSE springs are 41% stiffer. As I understand, the Z/28 is already stiffer than a standard SS or 1LE - do you happen to know how stiff the DSE springs actually are?

http://www.detroitspeed.com/images/5th-gen-rate-chart.jpg

Also, did you have an opportunity to drive the speed 1 and 3 equipped cars and a standard Z? Would be interested in hearing your impressions.

[JSRidetech]

Ridetech for the WIN!!! I had the ridetech coilovers on my 5th gen (before I ended up an employee of the company) and it was magic!!! I would defiantly put them up against DSE! If you also drive your car on the street I would pick Ridetech for sure, the ride quality is on point.

Here is a link to our current 5th Gen lineup...

http://www.ridetech.com/store/musclecars/?subcats=Y&features_hash=V359

[ArisESQ]

Ridetech for the WIN!!! I had the ridetech coilovers on my 5th gen (before I ended up an employee of the company) and it was magic!!! I would defiantly put them up against DSE! If you also drive your car on the street I would pick Ridetech for sure, the ride quality is on point.

Here is a link to our current 5th Gen lineup...

http://www.ridetech.com/store/musclecars/?subcats=Y&features_hash=V359

I do like the Ridetech stuff a lot, but after a lot of consideration I've decided that I want to stick with the OEM DSSV dampers that come with the Z/28, and am primarily interested in running different springs with matching sway bars.

[Rod P]

Also, did you have an opportunity to drive the speed 1 and 3 equipped cars and a standard Z? Would be interested in hearing your impressions.

yes the white z we had was fully stock springs. dampeners and bars, we spent a test weekend at Thunderhill race track in California and JRI/Ultimate performance and Ridetech/Fox both had engineers and tuners there and we equipped the white tester from stock to ridetech and gained a second+ in lap times from stock and white/ridetech vs Black/JRI car was only a 100ths of a sec between them, later we went back to factory dampeners on the white car and the speed 1 kit, and won the GT class at Optima that year in the white car(we damaged the engine in the black car and was unable to repair it before the finals and that's the reason we ran the white car)

[ArisESQ]

yes the white z we had was fully stock springs. dampeners and bars, we spent a test weekend at Thunderhill race track in California and JRI/Ultimate performance and Ridetech/Fox both had engineers and tuners there and we equipped the white tester from stock to ridetech and gained a second+ in lap times from stock and white/ridetech vs Black/JRI car was only a 100ths of a sec between them, later we went back to factory dampeners on the white car and the speed 1 kit, and won the GT class at Optima that year in the white car(we damaged the engine in the black car and was unable to repair it before the finals and that's the reason we ran the white car)

Thanks Rod!

Are you saying that you GAINED a second in lap times from stock??

[Rod P]

Thanks Rod!

Are you saying that you GAINED a second in lap times from stock??

yes...per lap...and if you want a few other tips that don't cost a ton one is the DSE Castor kit increasing the front castor on the 5th gens 50 bucks and its that little thing that pushes the top cars ahead of the average cars at events