I just received my 2002 SS that I ordered in January. I didn't order the bilstein suspension or the 1LE. I put the Eibach Pro-kit on it and it does ride good but boy does it handle terrible. It nose dives real bad under hard braking, and the goodyear F-1 just dont feel good in the corners. I just sold my 95 Z28. all it had was the same springs but I did have Bilstein shocks on it and it felt real good and solid for what was done to it. Are the eibachs that much diferent from the 95 camaro to the 2002? Will the shocks help that much. My buddy has a 2002 Firehawk with the bilstein suspension and it seems to handle good. I guess I should start with the shocks and work from there? I guess I am just surprised how it handles compared to my 95 and was wondering if anybody else was surprised about the handling? My friends Firehawk also came with the firestone tires!

 

It's the shocks. The stock De Carbons are not the greatest units. I added the Bilstiens and the SLP Eibachs to my SS and it handles like an entirely different car.

 

I thought my 99 SS handled considerably better than my 94 Z28, even in stock form. I have added Nittos, SFCs, STB, GW Traclink, LCAs, PHB, SLP Eibach springs, SLP Bilstein shocks, 32 mm solid front sway bar, 21 mm solid rear sway bar- and the handling has improved dramatically. Better tires will make the most difference- if I were you, I'd get tires first. Be careful with shocks- I have heard the standard HD Bilsteins are not well matched to the Prokit. You might want to talk to Sam Strano or LG Motorsports about some (revalved) properly matched shocks for your suspension.

 

I also wanted to mention that with my shocks and springs (SLP Eibachs and SLP Bilsteins), a 32 mm front sway bar is not enough. I still have too much body roll, so I am going to the 35 mm front bar that Sam Strano recommends. However, sway bars really need to be matched to your spring/shock package. Talk to Lou or Sam about tires, shocks, and sway bars. These will make the biggest difference. Also, a good aftermarket torque arm will help reduce the brake dive you mentioned. I'd also recommend subframe connectors- they will tighten the car up considerably.

 

Thanks for the info. My first thoughts were to get different tires and shocks then go from there.

 

Sounds like your on the right track, Jim. BTW, I figured out why my SS handled better stock than yours- in 99, stock SS's got the 1LE springs whereas yours just got the stock Z28 springs. Good luck! <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

 

Dump the decarbons and go with revalved Bilsteins from Strano, along with the 35mm bar.

WORLD of difference, especially with a decent alignment.

WORLD <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />