1999 Firehawk suspension
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ.
1999 Firehawk suspension I just picked up a 1999 Firehawk. I read the specs. for it on Firehawk.org. It states that the came with an upgraded suspension, but it doesn't say what was upgraded. Any help would be appreicated. G
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 37
From: Surrey, B.C.
Firehawks were actually available with three levels of suspension. The sticker on the inside of your passenger door will list the SLP-installed mods on your car.
The three levels were base, Bilstein, or 1LE.
According to my window sticker, the standard Firehawk suspension consisted of a larger front anti-sway bar, and revised rear track. Some SLP advertising mentions "upgraded suspension components", without specifying exactly what they mean by that. From what I've been able to find on the various boards, the base Firehawk suspension is exactly the same as the base suspension on the Camaro SS.
The Bilstein suspension consisted of end links, reinforced stabilizer brackets, SLP progressive rate springs, the 1LE transmission mount, the 1LE trailing arm and panhard bar, and of course the Bilstein shocks. The front and rear sway bars were also different.
The 1LE package was the same as that available on the Camaro SS.
My Firehawk had a 29mm front sway bar, and 19mm back. I upgraded to the 2002-spec bars, namely 32mm front, and 21mm back.
The three levels were base, Bilstein, or 1LE.
According to my window sticker, the standard Firehawk suspension consisted of a larger front anti-sway bar, and revised rear track. Some SLP advertising mentions "upgraded suspension components", without specifying exactly what they mean by that. From what I've been able to find on the various boards, the base Firehawk suspension is exactly the same as the base suspension on the Camaro SS.
The Bilstein suspension consisted of end links, reinforced stabilizer brackets, SLP progressive rate springs, the 1LE transmission mount, the 1LE trailing arm and panhard bar, and of course the Bilstein shocks. The front and rear sway bars were also different.
The 1LE package was the same as that available on the Camaro SS.
My Firehawk had a 29mm front sway bar, and 19mm back. I upgraded to the 2002-spec bars, namely 32mm front, and 21mm back.
My SLP build sheets says the same thing: "upgraded suspension components"
other than whats mentioned above, it appears this consist of the "deCarbon" shocks whatever that is...I have been told keep them, & others say change them, so I dunno which way to go, they seem ok and dont leak but.....my suspension is mush in the rear, seems too low too, has in bottom out low, hit a tailpipe on a cross arm low...
other than whats mentioned above, it appears this consist of the "deCarbon" shocks whatever that is...I have been told keep them, & others say change them, so I dunno which way to go, they seem ok and dont leak but.....my suspension is mush in the rear, seems too low too, has in bottom out low, hit a tailpipe on a cross arm low...
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
I have an 02 Firehawk. Mine has the Bilstein suspension. Look at your springs. I had the SLP blue ones on the rear which sagged bad. I changed these for Eibach pro kit springs and these fixed the sag. The rear now sets about 1" higher than the front which gives a nice forward rake.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Arizona, USA
Originally Posted by Firehawk485
I have an 02 Firehawk. Mine has the Bilstein suspension. Look at your springs. I had the SLP blue ones on the rear which sagged bad. I changed these for Eibach pro kit springs and these fixed the sag. The rear now sets about 1" higher than the front which gives a nice forward rake.
Trending Topics
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
I have the same Bilstein suspension from SLP and have noticed since new the rear is lower than the front, some think I have a huge Sub in my trunk, I don't think the spring are saging as the car had 9K on the clock at the time of pic below:
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: Arizona, USA
Originally Posted by Firehawk485
The picture that you posted is exactly the way that my Hawk looked. I haven't taken pictures yet, but the rear is now about 3/4" higher than the front.
