lowering springs
 

well just wondering if anyone is going to make coil overs for the hhr. i think coil overs are better then just a lowering spring :confused:

Hi Big L! I'm in Murrieta right off Margarita and Torrey Pines - small world, eh?
I'm sure in time there will be many suspension options available for the HHR, but until then, dropped springs will be the cheapest and quickest way to get "the look." An hour and a half of work is all it takes.

Erich and the team at Darkside Motoring have really put some overtime in on their HHR spring kit. Here's a pic of one just done yesterday:

http://www.songramp.com/photos/ArtistArticle5415.jpg

Please excuse the graphics, I just threw this together to give you an idea of the before/after. The truck belongs to a user in Maine. I will be taking my HHR up to Erich after SEMA to shoot the full install for a magazine article. Will post more pics then.

So far...I'm really liking what it does for the car!
-Mike

Hmmmm. I like!

Was is the silver thing where the running boards are?

Those are pipes baby! (cosmetic, not functional.)

I think I need to get a set of those myself.
-Mike

woe looks good bro. dude what about negative camber? i hate having a tire that look brand new on the outside but the inside our down to the wire. will you make a camber kit as well.

lou

I like the stock look beter.

Is there running boards on that car which is above the pipes

No, the car shown has only the pipes - no running boards.

I have talked to Erich about the lowering springs and about putting 18" rims on as well. He suggested getting the rims first then deciding if to lower or not....Dang, I may just stay with 17's because his price is affordable and I like the look as well.even though those lake pipes are on intstead of the running boards, I think it looks functional to me. Look forward to your article and documentation, that would really be nice to have since I cannot go to cali and have them do the install.....damn! lol

What is Darkside's price for kit and what is their spin or addtional info? They say their system is somehow different than the Eibach system. I have seen the Ebach kit, just different springs and they cost right around $300. Looking for more info, will want to drop my some for a more Street Rod look, but don't want to go over-kill and not have function.

Thanks!!

Mark,

The springs we are selling are made by a company called Goldline Springs. They are MFG. here in California right along side the Eibach Springs. We did some testing on spring rates on the HHR with all the models (2.2, 2.4 etc) And tried out different drops. Tried every situation we could think of to get the springs out as soon as possible. The Eibach kit drops the HHR 1" front and 1.6" rear. The orig. Eibach Springs where just reboxed Cobalt springs and when we installed them in an HHR the rear bottomed out with people or luggage in the back. We have been an Eibach dealer for over 10 years now and work with them on a lot of new applications. I called Christian in their R&D department and they reworked the spring rates on the newer models now.

The Goldline Springs are rated at a 1.75" drop front and rear. The rear shows to be lower then rated on the first 2 HHR's that I sent them out too. I am sure their are some differences but either way the kit works well. We have the Goldline Springs on our HHR that we did on the Rides Build Off and GM used a few sets on their own projects. I heard that Intrax is releasing a set of springs for the HHR but Intrax is known to be a non progressive rated spring. So they will be a stiff ride.

We have been in business 17 years now and are pretty much direct with any company out their. We can offer group buys for people on the HHR.net site. Right now we are offering the Eibach Springs for $249.95 and the Goldline Springs for $189.95.

Hope this helps some of you out. Any other detailed questions you can always email me.

I say if we get quite a few people. 150 each and we'll all post pics. :)

Question for Dark Side. On the First Page of this Post there are pictures of the car? 1)where did you get that pipe that goes underneather the car?
2)is it connected to the exaust?
3)Do you sell it or know where I can get it?
4)Can you post a zoomed in picture, I cant tell if that car has running boards
5)Do you have install pictures of that pipe?

SIHHR, Darkside didn't install those. The owner did. I spoke with him about them and he got them off eBay, but you can find the same pipes here:

JC Whitney - Lake Pipes

Also, his HHR does not have running boards, I'm not sure if they will fit a lowered HHR with boards yet. I plan on trying this myself soon and will let you know if it works.

Best,

How would you install those? I'm afraid if I did it myself I would drill into the gas line or something bad.

I'm sure you wouldn't hit the gas line because you can see it.

Yeah that would suck

THANKS DARKSIDE!!!

Great to hear right from you and your shop. Possibly will be getting a hold of you, sometime in the near future. BTW, liked your custom alot, nice two-tone and great suicide door treatment on the rear doors, not too much with a great look!!! I missed the TV shows. Keep us posted on other products for the HHR.

This sight is great for getting information, apprecaite it!!

My favorite part! :thumb: :beer:

Should see it up close... The pinstripe is brushed silver with a hand laid blue pin stripe on either side (FYI... did that at like 4am half asleep :eek: ... what a night that was!) :D

how much are you guys charging to install them out there at darkside or are they an easy self install??

It makes me mad. I know of no respectable installers in oklahoma. The only place that could do it wanted to charge 350 as well. ::blows rasberry::

Fenris, my goal is to have:

a) the lowering kit
b) my running boards
c) the Lake pipes

If I can net all 3 and still make the speed bumps - I'm going to be a very happy camper!

We'll see...

1) Paint car with flames
2) Lake pipes
3) Dual Exaust

Springs:

Eibach - $249.95 Tax in CA
Goldline - $189.95 Tax in CA

Shipping to West Coast $15.00

Rest of the Country - $20.00
(not including Hawaii and Alaska)

Install at D-side - $160.00

Hope this helps you all out. I don't always have a chance to check the site everyday but if you want you can always drop me an email and I check that a little more often. Make sure to put HHR in the subject line.

I would lift the rear and lower the front.....
take off the hood and add a 8.1L Big Block!
Vroom Vroom~!

Some where in the universe...Ed Roth is smiling! :bow:

I like your attitude!
B.Fenrir :beer: :thumb:

Next cut as big sunroof in the top and add a HUGE cartoon mouse (with bulging bloodshot eyes and a gear shifter in his hand.)

I think I built every one of those as a kid!

:bow: Rat Fink! :thumb: I already thought about it. :beer:

As soon as the HHR model comes out (C'mon hurry up Revell!), we'll have to "Fab up" a custom Rat Fink HHR! :thumb: :thumb:

Pics will follow...

Questions for Erich on springs...

Erich,

Interesting to read about the good work you've done on the Chevy HHR springs! Having just ordered my HHR this week, I have a few questions.

1. Any specs on the spring rates compared to stock?

2. I occasionally carry loads of 200 - 300 lbs. (est). Is the rear spring rate enough for this without problems?

3. Is it possible to install rubber "spacers" at either the upper or lower spring seat to fine tune the ride height?

4. Do you know of any good sway bars available or in the works. I've believed for years that this mod will result in the best handling improvement with the least loss of ride quality.

Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Joe

Look at my avatar,

I like that avatar better than the all green one. :thumb: