Air Shocks?
03-16-2003, 09:56 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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Air Shocks? Is there a Company that makes regular good ole air shocks for a 2002 SS Camaro? Surfed all over and can't find any. Any help would be mucho appreciated. Thanks.
03-18-2003, 09:33 PM
#2
Re: Air Shocks? Drainplug,
I've not seen anyone making airshocks for late model camaros, or at least not selling them specifically for these cars. However, I have seen air shocks on some 82-92 F-bodies at various times and those would fit the newer cars as a direct bolt on. A few things to remember, the factory upper shock mount in the rear of the f-bodies is made of sheet metal and it is not designed to support the weight of the vehicle (plus the loads of the car bouncing over bumps) and may in fact, crack (eventually). It is also accepted that air shocks rarely do anything good for traction (hooking at the strip or on the street) due to poor damping characteristics (very little damping). If you need to keep the car from squatting (to clear wider tires, etc) try using a spacer under the bumpstop or a set of bump stop "rubbers" that mount on your shock absorber (Koni sells them) or even air bags in the rear springs. These are just some suggestions...air shocks have been around a long time, and they have sold millions of them (if everyone jumped off a bridge....would you?) and if you absolutely must have a set, I'd start checking Napa (autozone, etc). Hope this is helpful....Good Luck!
I've not seen anyone making airshocks for late model camaros, or at least not selling them specifically for these cars. However, I have seen air shocks on some 82-92 F-bodies at various times and those would fit the newer cars as a direct bolt on. A few things to remember, the factory upper shock mount in the rear of the f-bodies is made of sheet metal and it is not designed to support the weight of the vehicle (plus the loads of the car bouncing over bumps) and may in fact, crack (eventually). It is also accepted that air shocks rarely do anything good for traction (hooking at the strip or on the street) due to poor damping characteristics (very little damping). If you need to keep the car from squatting (to clear wider tires, etc) try using a spacer under the bumpstop or a set of bump stop "rubbers" that mount on your shock absorber (Koni sells them) or even air bags in the rear springs. These are just some suggestions...air shocks have been around a long time, and they have sold millions of them (if everyone jumped off a bridge....would you?) and if you absolutely must have a set, I'd start checking Napa (autozone, etc). Hope this is helpful....Good Luck!
03-20-2003, 09:23 AM
#3
Re: Air Shocks? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by trackbird:
<strong> A few things to remember, the factory upper shock mount in the rear of the f-bodies is made of sheet metal and it is not designed to support the weight of the vehicle (plus the loads of the car bouncing over bumps) and may in fact, crack (eventually). </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">really.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> ....someone should tell LG motorsports that their $1600 coilover kit that they use for racing is going to fail <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> . (jk)
That shock mount is plenty strong enough to support the car. If you look at that "sheet metal", it is really thick gauge (remember....the entire car is "sheet metal"). On top of that, the way the mount is formed, the stress is sent up into the body (its not just a plate that can bend back and forth).
I have LGs coilover kit on my car and there is very little flex of those mounts (no more than you get from the fronts if you remove the STB). I am going to go back and build a STB for the rear mounts when I remove the rear seat. That will be to ensure oprimum handling, not because I think that mount will fail.
That all said, I agree that air shocks are not optimum for performance. They are quite heavy and as said, have poor damping. Air shocks are for ride comfort. You are able to "stiffen" up on rough roads, and then go "soft" when you get out on the highway.
If you want performance (racing), get performance shocks. If you want to have a car that rides really smooth (Cadillac...boat...), air shocks will probubly do it. Whatever you decide, don't worry about the "sheet metal" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> .
Later, <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Chris
<strong> A few things to remember, the factory upper shock mount in the rear of the f-bodies is made of sheet metal and it is not designed to support the weight of the vehicle (plus the loads of the car bouncing over bumps) and may in fact, crack (eventually). </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">really.... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> ....someone should tell LG motorsports that their $1600 coilover kit that they use for racing is going to fail <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> . (jk)
That shock mount is plenty strong enough to support the car. If you look at that "sheet metal", it is really thick gauge (remember....the entire car is "sheet metal"). On top of that, the way the mount is formed, the stress is sent up into the body (its not just a plate that can bend back and forth).
I have LGs coilover kit on my car and there is very little flex of those mounts (no more than you get from the fronts if you remove the STB). I am going to go back and build a STB for the rear mounts when I remove the rear seat. That will be to ensure oprimum handling, not because I think that mount will fail.
That all said, I agree that air shocks are not optimum for performance. They are quite heavy and as said, have poor damping. Air shocks are for ride comfort. You are able to "stiffen" up on rough roads, and then go "soft" when you get out on the highway.
If you want performance (racing), get performance shocks. If you want to have a car that rides really smooth (Cadillac...boat...), air shocks will probubly do it. Whatever you decide, don't worry about the "sheet metal" <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> .
Later, <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Chris
03-20-2003, 10:34 PM
#4
Re: Air Shocks? 2001Camaroguy....
I hadn't looked at the LG kit. I spoke to Ground Control 2 years ago about rear coilovers for my 89 FOrmula and was advised against it due to concerns about the strength of the mounting location. It is not nearly as heavy as the steel in the spring pocket under the subframe, but I guess it is completely possible that it would be just fine. Lou knows his stuff!!! Interesting....now I have to do more research.....
I hadn't looked at the LG kit. I spoke to Ground Control 2 years ago about rear coilovers for my 89 FOrmula and was advised against it due to concerns about the strength of the mounting location. It is not nearly as heavy as the steel in the spring pocket under the subframe, but I guess it is completely possible that it would be just fine. Lou knows his stuff!!! Interesting....now I have to do more research.....
03-21-2003, 07:38 AM
#5
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Re: Air Shocks? Only reason for air shocks is to supplement
weak / sagging springs, like if you want to
pull a trailer and need to buck the extra
tongue weight, or you have a lot of luggage
and a whale for a mother-in-law.
From what I've seen, GM doesn't recommend
towing with these cars (I'd sure like to
find a knock-down hitch that I could pull
a small sailboat with, but that's another
story).
The trunk on my 'vert won't even hold my
single big travel suitcase, and any walrus
mother-in-law would have to put one butt cheek
in each of those silly little jumpseats.
So whaddya need air shocks for?
weak / sagging springs, like if you want to
pull a trailer and need to buck the extra
tongue weight, or you have a lot of luggage
and a whale for a mother-in-law.
From what I've seen, GM doesn't recommend
towing with these cars (I'd sure like to
find a knock-down hitch that I could pull
a small sailboat with, but that's another
story).
The trunk on my 'vert won't even hold my
single big travel suitcase, and any walrus
mother-in-law would have to put one butt cheek
in each of those silly little jumpseats.
So whaddya need air shocks for?
03-21-2003, 09:01 AM
#6
Re: Air Shocks? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by trackbird:
<strong> It is not nearly as heavy as the steel in the spring pocket under the subframe...
Lou knows his stuff!!!
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree, the thickness varies throughout the body depending on the loads that will be subjected. But the spring purch is a much larger area though (move flex possible) than the shock mount. As I said above, the shock mount is in effect "boxed" on the rear half by the deck (get what I'm saying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> ....).
<strong>
Lou knows his stuff!!!
</strong>
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
<strong>
Interesting....now I have to do more research..... </strong>
It never seems to end.....for every piece of info you learn, another question will arise <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_images/icons/tongue.gif" />
Later
Chris
<small>[ March 21, 2003, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: 2001CamaroGuy ]</small>
<strong> It is not nearly as heavy as the steel in the spring pocket under the subframe...
Lou knows his stuff!!!
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree, the thickness varies throughout the body depending on the loads that will be subjected. But the spring purch is a much larger area though (move flex possible) than the shock mount. As I said above, the shock mount is in effect "boxed" on the rear half by the deck (get what I'm saying <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> ....).
<strong>
Lou knows his stuff!!!
</strong>
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
<strong>
Interesting....now I have to do more research..... </strong>
It never seems to end.....for every piece of info you learn, another question will arise <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_images/icons/tongue.gif" />
Later
Chris
<small>[ March 21, 2003, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: 2001CamaroGuy ]</small>
03-21-2003, 09:42 AM
#7
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Re: Air Shocks? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jimmyblue:
<strong> (I'd sure like to
find a knock-down hitch that I could pull
a small sailboat with, but that's another
story).
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm going to pretend you didn't say that...
Airshocks: First don't do that. 2nd, autozone sells them but they don't fit (used to work there) So go with a better shock/spring combo (prokit + bilstiens, konis, or a coil over kit)
<small>[ March 21, 2003, 09:43 AM: Message edited by: VipZ28 ]</small>
<strong> (I'd sure like to
find a knock-down hitch that I could pull
a small sailboat with, but that's another
story).
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm going to pretend you didn't say that...
Airshocks: First don't do that. 2nd, autozone sells them but they don't fit (used to work there) So go with a better shock/spring combo (prokit + bilstiens, konis, or a coil over kit)
<small>[ March 21, 2003, 09:43 AM: Message edited by: VipZ28 ]</small>
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03-21-2003, 05:54 PM
#8
Re: Air Shocks? I think GM rates the Camaro/Firebird to trailer 1500 lbs. (in case you were wondering...it may be only 1000 lbs). I was looking for a compact hitch to tow my autocross tires to events (and to keep them off of my leather seats). I just don't want to mount a receiver under the car....I just can't.....
