This summer I will be buying new shocks and springs.

Here's my current setup:

1997 Camaro SS
147,800 miles

Front:
Ebiach Sportline Springs (1 coil cut off, approx a 2" drop up front)
Factory SS Shocks (Blistein Level 2) w/ 147k mi

Rear:
Factory Blistein Level 2 Springs
Factory SS Shocks (Blistein Level 2) w/ 147k mi.

Other notable Suspension Mods:
Rear LCA's, Relocation Brackets, Adj Panhard, 17x9.5/11 Chrome ZR1s. Sumimoto tires currently (315/35/17 in rear, 275/40/17 in front)

Basically the guy had sportlines in the rear as well but took them out and put the stock springs in because the cutout was hitting. Since then the cutout has been removed. Also the rear spring insulators were removed for the heater hose mod, but I have the rear spring insulators in my possesion.


My plans for the car (If I keep it after college) is to have it perform equally well in multiple aspects. I'd like it to turn heads on the drag strip (say 11's?) as well as perform decently on a road course / auto x. I also want the car to look good at car shows as well as retain daily drivability. My plans are a H/C 355 w/ a D1SC, and a 12 bolt rear. Granted I may change the shocks and springs out in the future.

I'm mainly looking into the prokit w/ blistein HD's and sam stranos lowering kit. (his springs w/ Koni 4/3) I'd like a 1-1.5" drop, good handling, while still comfortable, and of course no loss in traction.

 

Is anything wrong with your springs or are you wanting to set lower?

 

What you have is not good, that's for sure. Being I both sell the parts you mentioned (all of them), but built some for myself and put kits together, I do prefer them. If you somehow end up deciding on Pro-kits, don't waste your money on new HD's, your current shocks are just as good, and at this time probably actually a big better. HD's are NOT for lowering springs. Yours kind of are, but for SLP springs, which aren't generally as low, and are tuned more on the ride side than anything.

What you are looking are (Strano springs/Koni's and Pro-kit/HD's) are about as far apart as a Corvette is from a Chevette.

My setup gives better damping control, a more sane ride height, and better spring rates. It does cost more, but then again so do LS1's compared to a V-6. There are options, many options if you like--not just these. I'd be happy to discuss some if you'd like (by phone, can't do anything good by e-mail alone).

 

+1 for Sam. There's a reason everyone always recommends talking to him. I've got his springs and offset bushings with Koni SAs and haven't looked back. Best damn money i've ever spent on a car. The thing handles like nothing else now and it's a great setup.

 

I want to even it out. The front is lowered 2" (from a stock z28 stance) and the rear is lowered 3/4-1" (stock ss stance)

My shocks aren't good, I'm sure I'd notice a difference going to the HDs as my shocks have 147k mi on them. It costs $500 from SLP for a set of new blistein level 2 shocks, and $350 for blistein HD's. I wasn't sure of the differences between these two shocks.



What options are in the middle? Say a Camaro?

 

im another one partial to sam and his teachings. And after the 45 min fone conversation i had with him it was koni's sa's and nothing else. Shocks are a very big part of a f body suspension, so dont screw around with cheap ones. You will be wasting money, i would get koni's or revalved blistein's. Nothing else aside qa1's are meant for lowering.
Next the mis conception that you have with a car that can road race and drag race with the same suspension is next thing we will address. For rr and autox you need a tight, predictable suspension. One that is also very stiff, for drag you need the opposite. Which is why you cant make a car do both. Well you can but its not going to be very good at either, mainly because what helps one area hurts the other.
So figure out which is more important to you and go for it. If you try to dual purpose it your always going to be disappointed with the results.
So to wrap everything up-cal sam strano. Your questions will stop once talking with him.