Z28CamaroBubble

iTrader: (3)

I have a '99 Trans Am with Koni SA shocks, Eibach springs, and Ground Control coilover sleeves in the rear. I interchange two different pairs of springs for the rear, depending on the wheel and tires I decide to run. One pair is 9" with a spring rate of 150# and the other pair is 10" with a spring rate of 175#. I'd like to swap out the springs for RideTech Cool Ride air bags because the Kooks true dual exhaust I recently installed is close to the ground and I don't want to drive around town at a high ride height. Will the air bags give me more flexibility than a traditional coilover setup because I can effectively change the pressure of the air bags, thereby increasing or decreasing it's "tension"? For example, would rear air bags filled to 85 PSI provide the same driving characteristics of 175# springs, shock settings and ride height notwithstanding?

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

I've been running the Ridetech rear Coolride kit for about 4 yrs now, It rides great, and still handles as good as any rear lowering spring I ever had in it. I'm not really sure how to compare the two, All I know is that my rear suspension bottoms out a lot less the it ever did with any rear lowering springs (lt1 prokit, KB hypercoils, GC rear 10" 150lb an 175lb) and this is at a lower ride height, I run the air psi from 55-60, when new it was 50-55psi.

Z28CamaroBubble

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the tip! I came across your previous posts about them and wondered if your car could be lowered further down. It seemed like the tire touched the fender so the wheels and tires wouldn't tuck into the fenders. I plan to swap out my tires with 245/25 tires and I want to minimize my fender gap as much as possible.



You can see how low the exhaust hangs now though so this was the best option for me. Right now, it has the 10" springs and the coilover collar is at the bottom of the threads. I can't afford to lower it another inch!



In any case, I decided to buy a pair of Cool Ride airbags and a 2-way analog compressor system. With the introduction of their Select Series strut/airbag, I'm most likely going to buy them and upgrade the system with 4 valves.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

I'd also suggest going with a set of shock shaft mounted bump stops,so you can remove the factory bump stops. Doing this will allow a softer/more gradual transition onto the bumpstops, and you'll be able to sit lower with the air springs deflated.. I've also been running my bump stops this way for probably 3 yrs. My tires will tuck into wheel wells without any tire to wheel well contact; that's with the fender lips rolled.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/14028659-post4.html
I run the Ground Control, Soft-progressive 19-24mm strut foam bumpstops with my Koni SA rear shocks.
http://www.ground-control-store.com/...umpstop_fs.jpg

joecar

Where do you get shock shaft bump stops (that fit Koni's), and how do you put them on (is anything else needed)...?

joecar

I see there are several Koni bumpstops, is any other hardware (washer/cup) needed to run these...?

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Yeah, you'll need a large washer or b.s. cup, at least the same diameter as the bump stop. You'll use it to replace the bottom upper shock shaft mounted bushing washer. Master-Carr has Jumbo Washers that should work.
IMO, I'd also recommend installing and welding in a reinforcement plate on the upper shock mount location, if you not using the Ridetech rear airbag kit.

joecar

Ok, thx for the info.