...Just got a crap load of suspension mods, I was thinking of installing them myself. BUT, I never installed this kinda stuff before on a Camaro, however I am quite mechanically inclined, and if it comes with directions then I guess it would be ok. what do you guys think?? A friend of mine owns a shop, and he was gonna charge me half of what he would ususally charge regular customers... but I would save a lot of money if I did it myself. so what do you guys think?? the mods I recieved and waiting to be installed are in my sig. Thanks

Jose

 

If you have access to a lift, or a jack with jack stands, do it yourself. It's all very self-explanatory. You'd have to be very non mechanically inclined to not be able to install this stuff! If I could do it, you could surely do it..

 

For the panhard rod, lca, stb (strut bar ), sway bar and sfc you'll want the wieght of the car on the suspension, a drive on type hoist would be the best but if not available Rhino ramps will do. You'll need a mig welder to install the sfc, be careful not to overheat the underside or you might burn the carpet insulation. Front springs and shocks can be done but for the most part the spring compressors you rent or buy are junk, if your friend has a real spring compressor I would just bring him the stock assemblies and have him do the spring and shock swap and then reinstall them yourself. Good luck.

Al

 

Here is some info about the front suspension.
http://www.ls1info.com/article.php?sid=274

 

I respectfully disagree with Al who said "you want the suspension loaded" to install the LCA's, IMHO you will play hell getting the rear bolt out of the stock unit. Let the wheels hang, and do one side at a time. If you have "poly" bushings, grease the inside of the busing and the bolt with synthetic grease (i.e silicone) DO NOT USE PETROLIUM BASED GREASE, for in the long run it will eat away the bushings. Torque the LCA bolts to 75 lbs. torque to nuts, and retorque after 50 miles or so.

For the rest of the components, I agree with Al about having the suspension loaded.

MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS SITTING LEVEL before welding in the SFC. MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, for welding on the frame sends an electrical charge through the frame, and could possibly damage your PCM.

JMHO

SteveC

 

Steve, we've never had a problem with removing the LCA bolts with the suspension loaded, maybe we've just been lucky when doing installs.

 

Hi Al;

You are no doubt FAR more knowledable than I am concerning these matters, I have never installed these parts, I only watched and asked questions when the shop was doing the installation.

By the way the 3.73 are AWESOME!!!!!

SteveC