I'm leaning towards putting SS rims (if I can find them) and the factory sized tires onto a panel LS. Or perhaps some aftermarket 18" rims with the same sized tires. Will it have the same stance as the SS? Or will I have to use shorter springs. Basically want to replicate the stance of the SS on the panel without too much work. Thanks

 

If you have stock 215/55/16 size they spec out to 25.3 inches tall.
Going to the SS's 225/45/18 size they spec out to 25.97 inches tall.

It would actually make your LS sit a little higher but the 18's would fill up the fender well area a little more. It might give the illusion of being lower.

Only way to lower it correctly would be to replace those soft FE1 springs with something else. There are a number of spring choices out there.
Do a Search here if you need more info on lowering springs.

 

That sounds right. So if I am assuming correctly the distance from the wheel well opening to the spindle or axle centers is the same for all models, and that the ride height or amount of wheel well "fill" is based on tire dimensions and not that the axle/spindle centers "at rest" heights are different? Hope that makes sense?

 

Yes. All models the wheel wells are the same.

No spindles. They are usually referred to as hubs.

The SS's sit a little lower than the LS,LT's. The SS's have a FE5 suspension which has stiffer, slightly shorter springs.
LS's and LT's have the FE1 smooth ride suspension
2LT's have the sport FE3 suspension.

 

I think mine will give you a pretty good idea of what you'd be looking at. I currently have the suspension and wheels with 245/40/18 tires. It only threw my speedo off by about 1 mph. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/feat...mission-50483/

 

The HHR SS springs are approx 3/4" shorter than the others..

 

Likely will go with 18" Milanni's or Helo's with 40 offset on 225/45-18 tires, I would like to lower it by just changing springs, how much lower can one go without changing anything else but the springs? I like the way firemangeorges hhr sits and if I can that stance without changing shock/struts I'd be happy.

 

My SS is lowered about 1.5 inches all around. Not sure what you need on a LS to achieve my "look". One of the non SS lowered guys will have to answer that for you.

 

Yes, that is what I'm after stance wise. Now I just need to take delivery of the damn car!!

 

To achieve that look you'd need aftermarket suspension. I have the FE5 springs with KYB shocks and it sits level at 27.5". Frency42's post gives you a good idea of what the stance would look like.

You might be able to get closer to that look with the Cobalt SS/SC springs, but the are softer than the HHR FE5 springs.