[davidcroft]

Does anyone even make lowering springs for these cars yet?
I cross-referenced the front a rear Springs with a G8-GXP and they came up different part numbers than the SS for front and rear springs. I would be scared to even try a G8 lowering spring for these cars.

 

[firehawk238]

I plan to lower as part/systems come available.

 

[Commodoreman2000]

I think Maverick was going to lower his SS as he has new rims he was going to put on at the same time IIRC

 

[Maverick Man]

I think Maverick was going to lower his SS as he has new rims he was going to put on at the same time IIRC

I should have an answer for this Thrusday night. I hope! Things got delayed three weeks I should have had an answer for this then. however So far all is good.

 

[Navy Lifer]

Does anyone even make lowering springs for these cars yet?
I cross-referenced the front a rear Springs with a G8-GXP and they came up different part numbers than the SS for front and rear springs. I would be scared to even try a G8 lowering spring for these cars.

The OE springs WILL be different for G8/VE and SS/VF. The SS weighs less, so the springs are necessarily going to be different to provide the desired trim/ride height established for production. GXP & G8 GT actually use the same production springs - it's shocks & rear sway bar that differed, mainly, along with the wheel & brake package--tires may have been specific to GXP, too.

While this is not an absolute answer to your question, the Pedders Australia listing for VE & VF shows the same springs (from Pedders) work on both platforms. Assuming this is correct, it also means the other various spring suppliers (H&R, Tien, etc) offering a VE spring should be considered viable for use on VF. Until someone has actually tried it, this research is not 100% valid.

Since VE has been around longer and has more variants, there are more spring packages offered--not just for lowering, thus the greater number of products shown--I could have not listed them, but if you compare only the LOWERING springs, you'll see the same PN's listed for both platforms.

Many G8/VE cars owned by "enthusiasts" have gone to true coil-over setups--including adjustable shock valving, and adjustable ride height. There are both advantages & disadvantages to that, but I sense the owner group here is not, for the most part, looking to go hard-core to a true track setup that coil-overs is one of the core essentials of--that will come later, after warranty is ended, cars are in 2nd owner's hands, etc. Just replacing stock springs with aftermarket parts that provide lowered ride height will be most common, for now.

Here's several examples (pictures) of VE and WM (Caprice) lowered - WM uses the same Pedders lowering springs as VE/VF. There is no photo of a VF model shown at this time.

VE sedan

VE wagon (note that rear springs are different, specific to wagon)

WM sedan (listed as VM in error) NOTE to Cajun G8 - George, here's the 20x8 SS wheel in silver on a Caprice!

If you dig deep enough on CP's website, it will take you here - I defer to CP on any additional comment/advice as far as using any of the products he's got listed there. My use of the Pedders information is not an endorsement--it was simply as a reference. If it's not correct, I'm not responsible!!!

Here's spring info pulled from Pedders (AU) website:
Note 2 springs common to both VE/VF highlighted in RED

Commodore
2013-on VF
Sedan 2013-on

• Coil Over Kits [Full Car]
  • 160094 Extreme XA Coilover Kit
• Front Spring Low
  • 2954 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring
  • 202954 Pedders Coil Spring
  • 220092 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring
• Rear Spring Low
  • 2955 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring
  • 202955 Pedders Coil Spring
  • 212955 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring

Commodore
2006-2013 VE
Sedan, 2006-On

• Coil Over Kits [Full Car]
  • 164064 Remote Cannister Adj. Coilover
  • 160064 Pedders Extreme XA Coilover Kit

• Front Spring Low
  • 2954 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring
  • 202954 Pedders Coil Spring
  • 2956 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring
• Front Spring Standard
  • 7954 Pedders Heavy Duty Coil Spring
• Front Spring Raised
  • 7854 Pedders Heavy Duty Coil Spring
• Rear Spring Low
  • 2955 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring
  • 202955 Pedders Coil Spring
  • 2957 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring
  • 212955 Pedders Sportsryder Coil Spring
• Rear Spring Standard
  • 7955 Pedders Heavy Duty Coil Spring
• Rear Spring Raised
  • 7855 Pedders Heavy Duty Coil Spring

 

[Navy Lifer]

Pedders USA spring specs - includes 2954 & 2955

Product List - Category - Springs / Front Springs / G8

Product List - Category - Springs / Rear Springs / G8

In any case, the amount of lowering is not stated in the more conventional terms of "lowers car 1.4" front and 1.0" rear. As an example, a VE (G8) or VF (SS) already has a lower ride/trim height than my WM (Caprice), based on the production springs used.

If a set of lowering springs is installed on VE or VF, the change in height is going to be LESS than installing the same springs on my WM.

Note the comment on the spring listings above--wheel diameter will impact the measurement calculations, as the method used compares the lowest point of the rim lip (not the ground) with the top of the wheel arch on the body as the points to measure for determining how much using a specific Pedders spring will change the vehicle height/stance (this factors out variation in the tire size, which can and often does change, depending on what a customer/owner chooses to do with their vehicle).

In the case of my 2011 WM Caprice PPV, which has a fairly high ride height, compared to the SS sedan, the calculations also had to consider the difference in wheel size (18" vs 19" used for the measurement calculations in the Pedders USA specs), but in the end, using Pedders 2956 & 2957 springs, my car should drop 1.3" in front and 0.7" in rear. I've not installed these springs yet to see if my math was correct, so it remains to be seen if that is what I really want, or if I'd rather have a more equal drop at both ends of the car.

 

[GXPaycheck]

Too bad Pedders USA is bankrupt.

 

[Navy Lifer]

As I mentioned in my first reply, "My use of the Pedders information is not an endorsement--it was simply as a reference."

There are a number of suppliers in addition to Pedders for lowering springs. The G8 boards have plenty of threads discussing virtually every lowering combination that might be imagined.

Random online search:

2008 Pontiac G8 Applications || H&R Special Springs, LP

Amazon.com: Tein SKF04-AUB00 S.Tech Lowering Spring for Pontiac G8: Automotive

Pontiac G8 Lowering Springs & Lowering Kits - SlickCar.com

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...c&autoModel=G8+GXP&autoYear=2009&autoModClar=

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...ac&autoModel=G8+GT&autoYear=2009&autoModClar=

Results for 08-09 PONTIAC G8

Results for 08-09 PONTIAC G8:LOVELLS SPRINGS

https://www.wretched.co/

https://www.wretched.co/suspension/springs?vehicle_model=237

The "problem", of course, is that the aftermarket has not caught up to this vehicle, and much of this starts with the lack of availability of cars, due to the "slow jam" production, transportation, and distribution approach being employed--just as the exhaust system companies are working on the specifics of the SS, which REALLY isn't much different than the G8, except for that pesky oil cooler (when it comes to fitting headers). It may take a constant stream of individual owners getting organized to make direct contact with various manufacturers to inquire and urge them to look at the vehicle--and to remind them that, at the VERY least, to take a look at the existing G8 products they already offer, to determine whether they are fully compatible and suited for use on the SS.

That's my 2 cents on the subject....

 

[fatboy]

any coilovers available for the SS yet?

 

[Maverick Man]

Too bad Pedders USA is bankrupt.

i have tears in my eyes that i cannot hold back! NOT!

any coilovers available for the SS yet?

as i said i will have an answer for you on Thursday.

 

[Maverick Man]

Too bad Pedders USA is bankrupt.

i have tears in my eyes that i cannot hold back! NOT!

any coilovers available for the SS yet?

as i said i will have an answer for you on Thursday. lets hope all goes well.

In the case of my 2011 WM Caprice PPV, which has a fairly high ride height, compared to the SS sedan, the calculations also had to consider the difference in wheel size (18" vs 19" used for the measurement calculations in the Pedders USA specs), but in the end, using Pedders 2956 & 2957 springs, my car should drop 1.3" in front and 0.7" in rear. I've not installed these springs yet to see if my math was correct, so it remains to be seen if that is what I really want, or if I'd rather have a more equal drop at both ends of the car.

good info! some others mentioned that about the VF vvs VE i think someone said they were going to do that this week or next... or was that you. lol!

however IMO running lowering springs only is a waist of time. you are going to bottom out your stock shocks/sturts period on a huge bump or pop hole not to mention your ride is going to be horrible. i am not saying i never did that before because i have and trust me the cheapest coilover will ride better then any lowering spring period. i mean the lowering spring will look good but IMO coilover is the only way to go for a better ride. this is a basically a 50K car not a honda or used GTO.

 

[willy92]

This thread breaks my heart. I learned during my "race car building" days that the only way to lower a car, and benefit from it, is to do it right, or all you'll end up with is a good looking piece of junk.

Doing it right, means no loss of travel, keep geometry close to stock and bump steered front and rear, however you've got to get it done. Anything else is sillyness.

...Just my opinion...

 

[Navy Lifer]

One of the reasons I have not installed the lowering springs is because of everything mentioned...that said, I'm not a big fan of "coil-over" suspension on a 4000+ pound car.

Since I have the Pedders springs, I'm inclined to try them, anyway, and if they don't work out satisfactorily, we'll take another approach. The springs I'm using are actually 2956 (front) and 2957 (rear), as mentioned previously, which are considered "zero drop", and as was explained to me, that means the amount of height change is not as great as the 2954/2955 combination. The springs I have are supposed to be based on the lower range of production springs as far as the ride height--ie. production variation considered, these are equivalent to the shortest springs ever used in production on VE conventional MacPherson strut front suspension.

My other approach is to just use some SS or G8 OE springs, and live with the lesser drop compared to the aftermarket--theoretically zeroing-out all of the negatives addressed in the responses since my last post.

 

[chevypwr]

would you guys ever go with an air setup? like one from Accuair?

 

[Maverick Man]

This thread breaks my heart. I learned during my "race car building" days that the only way to lower a car, and benefit from it, is to do it right, or all you'll end up with is a good looking piece of junk.

Doing it right, means no loss of travel, keep geometry close to stock and bump steered front and rear, however you've got to get it done. Anything else is sillyness.

...Just my opinion...

i agree but i don't think anyone here is building a 2014 SS "race car". i mean taking it to the track every weekend and tracking it only.

given geometry is is key that i have always understood.

however "my" race car looks like ass, rubber all over the side of the car, two tones of paint no back seat. but it is fast. i don't care how good looking it is. however personally i would like the SS to look MORE, BETTER, LOOKINGISH BETTER MOREISH and not look like an assed out fast race car.

IMO you can get good travel or equal travel with a set of coilovers. given you will probably lose some camber or caster if you go to low or well just a tad lower in some cases. but there are always correction kits for that as well. given the SS doesn't have any but IMO as a daily driver a good set of coilovers aren't going to turn it into "junk" if you don't do some stupid stance look to the car.

 

[fatboy]

This thread breaks my heart. I learned during my "race car building" days that the only way to lower a car, and benefit from it, is to do it right, or all you'll end up with is a good looking piece of junk.

Doing it right, means no loss of travel, keep geometry close to stock and bump steered front and rear, however you've got to get it done. Anything else is sillyness.

...Just my opinion...

Agreed. And its alot of work to reset alot of the geometry that is messed up from lowering. But when done right it is satisfying.

 

[evilss]

wb Camaro lowering springs do you think that would work

 

[Navy Lifer]

Camaro springs are not the same as VE/VF--don't go there.

 

[Navy Lifer]

Mav, you going to share?

Looks "right" with that package installed--please tell us you have before & after numbers (change in height front & rear)!

 

[Maverick Man]

Mav, you going to share?

Looks "right" with that package installed--please tell us you have before & after numbers (change in height front & rear)!

i'll make a new post about it in a bit and link... (edit here is link http://www.ssforums.com/forum/wheels-tires-suspension/9690-h-r-prototype-coilover-system-ss.html)