Lowering Springs/Kits for the SS
Not exactly... for the life of me I can't find the info I am wanting. Essentially I want something designed to work with the other components of the SS suspension. If it happens to be identical to those for the HHR, so be it.
Unless you plan on doing more than daily driving, I think you're looking into this too deep.
Only two things can be changed with springs; height and spring rate. If you get lowering springs they will be shorter obviously, but also have a higher spring rate. Since the ss comes with struts/shocks with stiffer dampening, I'd say you're better off than na hhr's. When I have goldlines on, the ride is pretty comparable to stock, but there is more 'bounce' after hitting a bump. Firmer struts and shocks would help that. When I have coilovers on, that's a whole nother story.
The only way to see if there have been real improvements would be to take it to a road course and runs some laps before and after. About 1% of hhr's will probably ever see a track, so again I think your looking into this too deep.
Only two things can be changed with springs; height and spring rate. If you get lowering springs they will be shorter obviously, but also have a higher spring rate. Since the ss comes with struts/shocks with stiffer dampening, I'd say you're better off than na hhr's. When I have goldlines on, the ride is pretty comparable to stock, but there is more 'bounce' after hitting a bump. Firmer struts and shocks would help that. When I have coilovers on, that's a whole nother story.
The only way to see if there have been real improvements would be to take it to a road course and runs some laps before and after. About 1% of hhr's will probably ever see a track, so again I think your looking into this too deep.
there is a company called kw suspension and they make some nice coilovers for the hhr-not the ss. waiting on an email back from them. seems like the weight between an lt and ss shouldn't be that much different,which makes me think these would work on the ss
I agree on specific springs.One of the reasons for a spring change is to enhance the performance of the suspension system.Going to a spring that was designed for a non-tuned car makes no sense.Sure it works great on the other car,but the SS would require a spring that surpasses what is already installed.The only real way to know is have someone load check the springs and see what the real numbers are.Only then can you say one way or the other what will work.I want to go about an inch lower too,but won't use a spring NOT designed for the SS.I want the look AND the feel of the spring, so just any spring will not work.Sure the rates will be stiffer but thats desireable because of the reduced suspension travel to prevent bottom out.This in turn will make a tighter car, handling wise.I have NEVER seen a car off the showroom floor(unless it was purpose built,,IE:race ready) that had the optimum spring/shock package installed.If they did the aftermarket wouldn't need to exsist( and the average driver would be complaining its too stiff)! Too deep?Nah,some of us LIKE the feel of a planted car.And when/if the time ever comes that extreme manuvering is required,its nice to have the confidence that it won't waller around and do something unexpected.True,its not a race car,but that doesn't mean it can't be made to feel like one.To each his own.(I hate a car that feels like it floats)
Not cost effective but good for those who must have the latest and greatest. A simple spring change will do for now until the aftermarkets get on the ball and get some good shocks released.At $345 a corner its hard to justify the cost for a street driven car. The main thing was getting it lowered about an inch.The rate change goes hand in hand because you don't want it bottoming out,so why not take advantage of that.It gets lowered and at the same time more stable.Its amazing what 1 inch will do to a vehicles handling.Something the LT/LS owners don't realise is when they dropped thier vehicles and brought the back down to almost the same level as the front,they induced a tad bit more caster into the steering.So if youve ever wondered why the steering feels tighter,now you know.Since caster cannot be adjusted without going to tower plates,yall got a free improvement.
Its all about driver confidence that the vehicle will handle in a predicable way.Especially after changes are made.
Its all about driver confidence that the vehicle will handle in a predicable way.Especially after changes are made.


