I been doing a lot of researching of springs and to be honest, I don't want to spend a ton of $$ to lower the car or drop the car too low. I figured with Cobalt SS springs that it should lower the fronts ~1.0 and rears ~1.5 which is low enough with me. :)

However, I do notice on stock stance that the driver side is about .5" lower than the passenger side (strange)?

Last question, if I get these springs and I need to lift the car to change the tire, will the rear spring pop out?

Anyone thoughts?

 

The drop will be right near your estimate. The Cobalt SS springs can be had cheap over on the CobaltSS.net forum.

A note: The newer SS/turbo '08 & '09 springs are a stiffer rate than the earlier SS/SC with about the same ride height.

No problem popping out on the rear when jacked.

 

How stiff are we talking about? Is it pretty noticible? I definitely like my somewhat soft ride on my HHR LT2 suspension.

 

I switched from a cobalt 2.4 ss which has the same springs as your lt2 with 17inchers and upgraded to an 09 ss with the tc springs of course but with 18 inchers and didnt really notice any difference in harshness. Id imagine it would be the same for your hhr. It wont be soft but its not bone jarring either.

 

Not really sure what the spring rate numbers are, but had read that the TCs are stiffer.

As for comparison, I really can't help here. When I bought the car I installed the Goldlne GenI springs right away. Liked the look, but absolutely hated the ride. It was smooth, though. Not near enough travel, bottoming on dips and could not carry any load.

When I installed the Cobalt TC springs I also did the Koni shocks. Ride is firmer, but smooth still. Absolutedly love it. Also have the TTR rear bar.

I did a vacation trip last week, heavily loaded. Car road and handled like a dream, especially in the very winding roads in SW VA. The only down side was that my daughter was complaining about the lack of a "oh sheet" bar or handle!