As I had mentioned in the Master List of changes (differences) for 2015 SS there are significant differences in the rear stabilizer configuration between model years.
This includes different lower control arms, in addition to the bar itself, in order to provide the reinforced hole in the control arm for the bar link attachment.
Note in the parts illustrations (attached below) for the 2 bar configurations where there is an arrow and notation to show the difference in the reinforcement plate size--the 2015 version of the reinforcement is smaller to allow the stabilizer link to extend into the channel of the arm. The photos show the reduced size of the reinforcement and the hole for the link to mount.
It is easy to see the difference in bar design between 2014 & 2015. I do not presume this is anything directly related to F55, as the parts book only calls out FE3 as the common "must have". In other words, if someone is thinking of converting to 2015 spec on a 2014 SS, or even a Caprice PPV or G8, it may be a matter of just identifying the correct mix of parts, and bolt it on.
Here are the 2015 PN's (some may be preliminary, not all price currently:
1) 92294343 Shaft, rear stabilizer (no price)
1) 22786267 Clamp (L)
1) 22831250 Clamp (R)
2) 20942228 Insulator
2) 22761221 Link (kit)
As mentioned above, the lower control arms are specific to the stabilizer configuration, or at least a matter of keeping parts proliferation from creating assembly line issues.
The rear LCA's required (common with 2015 PPV):
1) 92457895 (L)
1) 92457894 (R)
Even though LCA's are common between 2015 SS & 2015 WN, the Caprice (PPV) uses the same rear bar for both 2014 & 2015--similar to 2014 SS, but smaller (20mm vs 28mm). The 20mm bar actually was first used on the production G8 GXP.
There is research to be done here, but I'm basing my initial thoughts on the fact that the aftermarket suppliers of replacements for these parts lump all Zeta (including G8 & Camaro) into a single PN that fits all variants--not to suggest that use of aftermarket LCA's would allow fitting the 2015 SS bar on a 2014 SS, or any G8, or PPV.
Case in point: BMR specifies the same part (TCA028) for G8, Camaro, and SS sedan, all years. Without seeing the part, it is not confirmed that the BMR arms work with the 1LE (direct-acting) rear bar. I do not know what could be radically different in the various GM control arms to prevent use across different models, as dimensions appear to be the same.
The 3 photos below show the current Camaro rear LCA, with the provision for the 2015 style bar. These are offered as a kit (2 arms), which are not side-specific, under PN 23484878--the individual PN is 20942237. If these will work in place of the 2015 LCA's listed above, the cost difference is significant, and will make the mod a more pleasant experience, financially.
The PN's provided were what was available at the time of my research, and are subject to change--if anyone pursues this, please re-verify the information. If I become aware of PN changes, I will update this thread.
I caution anyone evaluating this as a potential mod to your 2014 SS, that nothing has been verified as to fit/form/function, so unless or until someone does, I make no claims that this will work/fit, nor do I claim it will be an improvement of any sort.
Regardless of the relationship of this change to MRC (RPO F55), the theory of the new stabilizer configuration is that it is a direct-acting design. To me, this means it can reduce possible harshness in suspension reaction that may come with the narrower bar design (2014), and as stated in the original thread, the bar diameter may not need to be as large, for reduced mass.
There have been issues with the earlier (narrow) bar setup and links pulling apart--whether it was link failure or the attachment point for the bar on the LCA, or possibly both, I am not certain. The G8 community dealt with this, and the aftermarket recognized that the bar link attachment point was susceptible to failure--BMR, for example, makes a reinforcement kit (for VE - ie. G8--not sure about 2010/2011 Camaro) to address this, but, to be clear, the reinforcement kit is not applicable to VF, as the sway bar link on 2014 SS is different, even from early Gen5 Camaro.
The final interesting note is found in the Chevrolet Performance Parts Catalog, when you look at the 1LE suspension kit (springs, shocks, and bars--rear similar to 2015 SS):
The V6 1LE suspension kit requires use of SS brake kit (from PP book) for proper rear stabilizer bar clearance.
This note/concern may or may not be applicable to a 2014 SS, or earlier PPV, G8 GT or GXP, as the Camaro V6 does use different/smaller rear brakes than any of the VE/VF or WM/WN platforms. It's another validation point to be checked in the modification process--no idea what creates interference with the smaller brakes, and even though the 1LE kit is Camaro-specific, I would suspect the potential for a fit/clear issue might also apply to the sedans.
Comments/feedback welcome!
This includes different lower control arms, in addition to the bar itself, in order to provide the reinforced hole in the control arm for the bar link attachment.
Note in the parts illustrations (attached below) for the 2 bar configurations where there is an arrow and notation to show the difference in the reinforcement plate size--the 2015 version of the reinforcement is smaller to allow the stabilizer link to extend into the channel of the arm. The photos show the reduced size of the reinforcement and the hole for the link to mount.
It is easy to see the difference in bar design between 2014 & 2015. I do not presume this is anything directly related to F55, as the parts book only calls out FE3 as the common "must have". In other words, if someone is thinking of converting to 2015 spec on a 2014 SS, or even a Caprice PPV or G8, it may be a matter of just identifying the correct mix of parts, and bolt it on.
Here are the 2015 PN's (some may be preliminary, not all price currently:
1) 92294343 Shaft, rear stabilizer (no price)
1) 22786267 Clamp (L)
1) 22831250 Clamp (R)
2) 20942228 Insulator
2) 22761221 Link (kit)
As mentioned above, the lower control arms are specific to the stabilizer configuration, or at least a matter of keeping parts proliferation from creating assembly line issues.
The rear LCA's required (common with 2015 PPV):
1) 92457895 (L)
1) 92457894 (R)
Even though LCA's are common between 2015 SS & 2015 WN, the Caprice (PPV) uses the same rear bar for both 2014 & 2015--similar to 2014 SS, but smaller (20mm vs 28mm). The 20mm bar actually was first used on the production G8 GXP.
There is research to be done here, but I'm basing my initial thoughts on the fact that the aftermarket suppliers of replacements for these parts lump all Zeta (including G8 & Camaro) into a single PN that fits all variants--not to suggest that use of aftermarket LCA's would allow fitting the 2015 SS bar on a 2014 SS, or any G8, or PPV.
Case in point: BMR specifies the same part (TCA028) for G8, Camaro, and SS sedan, all years. Without seeing the part, it is not confirmed that the BMR arms work with the 1LE (direct-acting) rear bar. I do not know what could be radically different in the various GM control arms to prevent use across different models, as dimensions appear to be the same.
The 3 photos below show the current Camaro rear LCA, with the provision for the 2015 style bar. These are offered as a kit (2 arms), which are not side-specific, under PN 23484878--the individual PN is 20942237. If these will work in place of the 2015 LCA's listed above, the cost difference is significant, and will make the mod a more pleasant experience, financially.
The PN's provided were what was available at the time of my research, and are subject to change--if anyone pursues this, please re-verify the information. If I become aware of PN changes, I will update this thread.
I caution anyone evaluating this as a potential mod to your 2014 SS, that nothing has been verified as to fit/form/function, so unless or until someone does, I make no claims that this will work/fit, nor do I claim it will be an improvement of any sort.
Regardless of the relationship of this change to MRC (RPO F55), the theory of the new stabilizer configuration is that it is a direct-acting design. To me, this means it can reduce possible harshness in suspension reaction that may come with the narrower bar design (2014), and as stated in the original thread, the bar diameter may not need to be as large, for reduced mass.
There have been issues with the earlier (narrow) bar setup and links pulling apart--whether it was link failure or the attachment point for the bar on the LCA, or possibly both, I am not certain. The G8 community dealt with this, and the aftermarket recognized that the bar link attachment point was susceptible to failure--BMR, for example, makes a reinforcement kit (for VE - ie. G8--not sure about 2010/2011 Camaro) to address this, but, to be clear, the reinforcement kit is not applicable to VF, as the sway bar link on 2014 SS is different, even from early Gen5 Camaro.
The final interesting note is found in the Chevrolet Performance Parts Catalog, when you look at the 1LE suspension kit (springs, shocks, and bars--rear similar to 2015 SS):
The V6 1LE suspension kit requires use of SS brake kit (from PP book) for proper rear stabilizer bar clearance.
This note/concern may or may not be applicable to a 2014 SS, or earlier PPV, G8 GT or GXP, as the Camaro V6 does use different/smaller rear brakes than any of the VE/VF or WM/WN platforms. It's another validation point to be checked in the modification process--no idea what creates interference with the smaller brakes, and even though the 1LE kit is Camaro-specific, I would suspect the potential for a fit/clear issue might also apply to the sedans.
Comments/feedback welcome!
