SLP Level I Vs. SLP Level II suspensions???
09-18-2005, 12:31 AM
#1
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Location: Youngstown, Ohio
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SLP Level I Vs. SLP Level II suspensions???
I've been doing some searching. SLP is selling their Level II springs and Bilstein shocks under the Camaro SS/Firehawk restoration section. How does the Level II compare to the Level I suspension? I was thinking of getting the Level II parts since I want a firmer ride with good ride comfort, and a drop less then 1". Would the Level II be what I'm looking for? Also, since the drop would be less then an inch, would I need an adjustable panhard bar and an adjustable torque arm?
09-20-2005, 09:06 PM
#4
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Location: Tulsa, OK
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Re: SLP Level I Vs. SLP Level II suspensions???
I'm about to restore my 96 SS's shocks back to the original Bilstein level II's, it has De Carbons on it now put on by the original owner (I'm the second owner). All other suspension components are stock/SLP level II parts. I'll let you know how it goes.
Other than that, I'm pleased with the handling and ride of the car. Tis a bit bumpy, but hey, it is a sports type car, right?
I do not have an adjustable P/H rod or T/A, car hooks up fine. I found a great f-body guy here (Chris Pipher, Car Analysis Plus, Broken Arrow, OK), he's going to look at the car after we get the shocks on and see how much squat it has. Then we'll decide if the car actually needs anything else.
John
Other than that, I'm pleased with the handling and ride of the car. Tis a bit bumpy, but hey, it is a sports type car, right?
I do not have an adjustable P/H rod or T/A, car hooks up fine. I found a great f-body guy here (Chris Pipher, Car Analysis Plus, Broken Arrow, OK), he's going to look at the car after we get the shocks on and see how much squat it has. Then we'll decide if the car actually needs anything else.
John
10-06-2005, 08:51 PM
#5
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tulsa, OK
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Re: SLP Level I Vs. SLP Level II suspensions???
Well, got the shocks installed today as well as new springs. Went with the 70002 SLP shock/spring package and all I can say is WOW 
Nice firm ride but not too harsh. Car feels like it's on rails. Tramlining is minimal. I'm running Pirelli P-Zero Nero's, P275/40R17's on stock SS rims.
The springs did not really lower the car, maybe the stockers were fatigued some. I believe that they will set after a while, so I'll measure again in a few weeks.
Chris took the car personally to the alignment shop and had it set up right for the shock/spring combo. He runs autox in his own fbody, and is *THE* fbody guy around here, so I trusted his judgement. He did not let me down
Alignment specs are:
Caster L 4.0, R 4.3
Camber L .01 R .01
Toe L .05 R .05
The car now has a bit-o-squat, so re-lo brkts are in order as well as an adj PHB.
I highly recommend these shocks, well worth the money.
John
Nice firm ride but not too harsh. Car feels like it's on rails. Tramlining is minimal. I'm running Pirelli P-Zero Nero's, P275/40R17's on stock SS rims.
The springs did not really lower the car, maybe the stockers were fatigued some. I believe that they will set after a while, so I'll measure again in a few weeks.
Chris took the car personally to the alignment shop and had it set up right for the shock/spring combo. He runs autox in his own fbody, and is *THE* fbody guy around here, so I trusted his judgement. He did not let me down
Alignment specs are:
Caster L 4.0, R 4.3
Camber L .01 R .01
Toe L .05 R .05
The car now has a bit-o-squat, so re-lo brkts are in order as well as an adj PHB.
I highly recommend these shocks, well worth the money.
John
10-07-2005, 06:18 AM
#8
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 8
Re: SLP Level I Vs. SLP Level II suspensions???
Originally Posted by seawolf06
what are the spring rate differences for each level? The level I seems like a better deal since you can get the package deal.
John
10-07-2005, 07:17 PM
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 677
Re: SLP Level I Vs. SLP Level II suspensions???
I've got the SLP II stuff, and as I understand it is the same as the SLP I stuff, the difference is that the SLP I setup was installed by SLP for GM prior to shipment, whereas the SLP II is the after market product. Spring rates are very close to 300-450 front and 130-180 rear.
10-07-2005, 09:38 PM
#12
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Location: Tulsa, OK
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Re: SLP Level I Vs. SLP Level II suspensions???
Originally Posted by Janny
Front drops 1/2 to 3/4 inch. The rear drops about 1.5 inch.
Measuring to the fender, I was 27.375 front, 27.5 rear.
With the new springs, I am still 27.375 front, 27.25 rear.
I asked my fbody guy about this today and he thinks since the shocks are gas charged they may be setting the ride height. They (the springs) should be about .750 lower than stock.
John
10-08-2005, 08:10 AM
#13
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 677
Re: SLP Level I Vs. SLP Level II suspensions???
My drops were immediate and I never did see any further settling. It's been probably close to 5 years since. When I measured it all up the front and rear were at almost identical heights measuring from the fender lips down. Since I installed the set, I put about a 1/2 increease into the rear so the car looks a little higher on the rear. I just used a chunk of old conveyer belt to cut a circular piece of rubber from, then I went to the local muffler shop and had them weld in a wee piece of exhaust pipe to locate the spring more securely. Works great. Looks good. It was very cheap to do.
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