LT vs SS Suspension/Handling

tlr3715 · 10-03-2022, 09:48 PM

Wanted to see if anyone has driven both turbo4/V6 and SS (non 1LE) models and get your opinion on how well the car handled in terms of body roll, stiffness, and overall quickness of reaction to steering inputs.

I know the SS will win in overall cornering grip due to wider and better tires but am wondering how the suspension handles. Does the stiffer SS feel better than the lighter and softer LT models? Is there even a noticeable difference?

For added discussion, would an LT with the upgraded lowered suspension springs and shocks handle better than a base SS, again aside from overall cornering grip.

Gen6cyl · 10-04-2022, 06:20 AM

I got mine new now have over 37 k miles. The fe2 suspension needs help. The first thing is to get an alignment. I did 1.3 neg camber front, .9 neg camber rear. 1/32 toe in all corners. That made a big difference to me. I replaced the all season run flats with non run flat summers at 27 k miles, lots better. I also got Bilstein shocks put on , thigtened suspension up. Koni says they will have gen.6 dampers out this fall a good option also.

ember1205 · 10-04-2022, 08:13 AM

My car: 2020 2SS Convertible M6 w/ MRC
Rental: Either a 2020 or 2021 V6 Convertible A10

It's hard (for me) to really gauge the differences in suspension because the V6 car can't push it to the limits like the V8 cars can. Overall the V6 rode fine but having a bunch of miles under my butt in the 2SS made me drive that car differently (expecting to use the throttle as a bigger part of steering, for example) than I would have otherwise.

If you're looking for overall ride comfort, I think you'll find that they're more similar than different but the suspension in the SS cars (especially if you have the MRC and can soften the damping a bit) may feel a little smoother overall.

buckwam · 10-04-2022, 10:32 AM

I bought a set of SS wheels and tires for my turbo 4 camaro. Makes a big improvement in steering and handling. Keep the stock wheels and tires for winter. Cheaper and easier than changing the suspension, which you can do later if you want.

tlr3715 · 10-04-2022, 12:57 PM

It’s interesting that some are saying not too much of a difference between the two setups. The 1LE package on an LT model was basically just an SS suspension and all reviewers seem to rave about the handling over the base setup. Perhaps they were just feeling the better tires?

ember1205 · 10-04-2022, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlr3715

It’s interesting that some are saying not too much of a difference between the two setups. The 1LE package on an LT model was basically just an SS suspension and all reviewers seem to rave about the handling over the base setup. Perhaps they were just feeling the better tires?

When you're looking at handling overall, it's made up of the combination of all of the components. One of the biggest variables in that mix is the tire. So, it wouldn't be unreasonable to believe that the tire upgrade on the 1LE V6 is the biggest difference they're feeling.

Gen6cyl · 10-04-2022, 01:41 PM

I think a stock v6 rs with 2 degrees neg camber front and 1.5 degrees neg rear, which is possible stock , would corner better than a stock SS with factory alignment of .75 degrees neg camber all corners.

Alan47717 · 10-04-2022, 04:59 PM

My turbo 4/M6 is fun to drive handling wise until I start to push it in the twisties and then the understeer gets pretty bad. Anticipating it and using power to compensate works but is dicey in 35 mph zones. I only have 2200 miles on it so I am not quite ready to bite the bullet and replace the runflats with real tires which I am sure will make a big improvement. I am considering alignment changes first as discussed by others.

I have zero experience with V8 cars (Gen 6 anyway).

Gen6cyl · 10-04-2022, 05:38 PM

Alan you can look up the factory alignment specs on all gen 6 models. The 4&6 cyl. Have less neg camber in front than rear. That makes the car push which is considered safer but not fun.The SS and up have same neg camber front and rear from factory and I guess larger rear tires to compensate.I have been studying track alignments and settled on the settings on my earlier post. I have been over 1k miles on this setting. You can tell the difference immediately, the car feels much better. Makes you want to drive the sh$t out of it. It is a better improvement than when I changed tires and only cost $80. I would advise to align like I did and wear out your run flats like I did . Though I put at least 22k miles a year on my Camaro.

10-03-2022, 09:48 PM	#1
tlr3715 Drives: 2002 Z28, 2023 1LT RS Redline Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: New York Posts: 78	LT vs SS Suspension/Handling Wanted to see if anyone has driven both turbo4/V6 and SS (non 1LE) models and get your opinion on how well the car handled in terms of body roll, stiffness, and overall quickness of reaction to steering inputs. I know the SS will win in overall cornering grip due to wider and better tires but am wondering how the suspension handles. Does the stiffer SS feel better than the lighter and softer LT models? Is there even a noticeable difference? For added discussion, would an LT with the upgraded lowered suspension springs and shocks handle better than a base SS, again aside from overall cornering grip.

10-04-2022, 06:20 AM	#2
Gen6cyl Drives: Chevy Camaro 2021 ,rs, v6, manual Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Georgia Posts: 868	I got mine new now have over 37 k miles. The fe2 suspension needs help. The first thing is to get an alignment. I did 1.3 neg camber front, .9 neg camber rear. 1/32 toe in all corners. That made a big difference to me. I replaced the all season run flats with non run flat summers at 27 k miles, lots better. I also got Bilstein shocks put on , thigtened suspension up. Koni says they will have gen.6 dampers out this fall a good option also.

10-04-2022, 08:13 AM	#3
ember1205 Hot Camaro Drives: '20 2SS Convertible 6MT Join Date: May 2020 Location: CT Posts: 3,534	My car: 2020 2SS Convertible M6 w/ MRC Rental: Either a 2020 or 2021 V6 Convertible A10 It's hard (for me) to really gauge the differences in suspension because the V6 car can't push it to the limits like the V8 cars can. Overall the V6 rode fine but having a bunch of miles under my butt in the 2SS made me drive that car differently (expecting to use the throttle as a bigger part of steering, for example) than I would have otherwise. If you're looking for overall ride comfort, I think you'll find that they're more similar than different but the suspension in the SS cars (especially if you have the MRC and can soften the damping a bit) may feel a little smoother overall.

10-04-2022, 10:32 AM	#4
buckwam Drives: 2021 camaro 1ls Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: PA Posts: 92	I bought a set of SS wheels and tires for my turbo 4 camaro. Makes a big improvement in steering and handling. Keep the stock wheels and tires for winter. Cheaper and easier than changing the suspension, which you can do later if you want.

10-04-2022, 12:57 PM	#5
tlr3715 Drives: 2002 Z28, 2023 1LT RS Redline Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: New York Posts: 78	It’s interesting that some are saying not too much of a difference between the two setups. The 1LE package on an LT model was basically just an SS suspension and all reviewers seem to rave about the handling over the base setup. Perhaps they were just feeling the better tires?

10-04-2022, 01:41 PM	#7
Gen6cyl Drives: Chevy Camaro 2021 ,rs, v6, manual Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Georgia Posts: 868	I think a stock v6 rs with 2 degrees neg camber front and 1.5 degrees neg rear, which is possible stock , would corner better than a stock SS with factory alignment of .75 degrees neg camber all corners.

10-04-2022, 04:59 PM	#8
Alan47717 Drives: 2022 1LT RS 2.0t/6spd Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 222	My turbo 4/M6 is fun to drive handling wise until I start to push it in the twisties and then the understeer gets pretty bad. Anticipating it and using power to compensate works but is dicey in 35 mph zones. I only have 2200 miles on it so I am not quite ready to bite the bullet and replace the runflats with real tires which I am sure will make a big improvement. I am considering alignment changes first as discussed by others. I have zero experience with V8 cars (Gen 6 anyway).

10-04-2022, 05:38 PM	#9
Gen6cyl Drives: Chevy Camaro 2021 ,rs, v6, manual Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Georgia Posts: 868	Alan you can look up the factory alignment specs on all gen 6 models. The 4&6 cyl. Have less neg camber in front than rear. That makes the car push which is considered safer but not fun.The SS and up have same neg camber front and rear from factory and I guess larger rear tires to compensate.I have been studying track alignments and settled on the settings on my earlier post. I have been over 1k miles on this setting. You can tell the difference immediately, the car feels much better. Makes you want to drive the sh$t out of it. It is a better improvement than when I changed tires and only cost $80. I would advise to align like I did and wear out your run flats like I did . Though I put at least 22k miles a year on my Camaro.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password