[LiqTenExp]

Hey,

I finally finished getting all the BMR rear suspension components installed. I wound up doing the upper control arm and upper/lower trailing arms. TuneTime Performance did the cradle lockout when they had my car in the shop recently.

Overall the rear feels like it is "one" with the car, amazing. I would suggest it highly to anyone taking to the track, drag racing, or have a ZL1 with extra whp.

I put a jackstand under the rear arm to place some load on it. This helped to free up the components so you could simply remove the bolts and drop them out. Some of the bolts/nuts are a little hard to get at so plan on using some hand tools and not just your impact. You will have to zip tie up one line (abs) to the upper control arm.

[JonDaddy82]

How did it feel with just the rear cradle done? Night and day now that the arms as done as well? They really look trick on there.

[LiqTenExp]

The rear cradle made the most impact.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by LiqTenExp

The rear cradle made the most impact.

I concur.

I just had the ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushing kit done last week. Between that and a track alignment, it plain kicks ass now in the handling department. The rear-end feels solid and as the OP said, one with the rest of the car.

100 MPH sweepers are a one handed affair now. No drama, no chasing the rear, no rear side to side motions trying to spoil your line in a turn.

I do not feel a need to do the arms at all. The rear cradle is where the biggest weakness is on these cars.

[BMWM.D.]

Originally Posted by LiqTenExp

The rear cradle made the most impact.

I think their cradle lockout kit is in my near future.

[R3ctivision]

What's the purpose of the arms? Do they weigh less than stock? Otherwise, I imagine GM has engineered them to handle the loads they are needed to handle, if not at the lightest possible weight (stamped steel).

[777Jackpot777]

Where did you buy rear cradle kit?

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by 777Jackpot777

Where did you buy rear cradle kit?

I did the GMPP ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle Bushing Kit, I got it from Wildhammer Motorsports.

If you go the BMR lock-out Kit, I think you can also get that from Wildhammer, and if they don't have it, you can get it directly from BMR.

I decided for me, even though it was going to cost more in labor, that I wanted 100% of the movement gone and not just 80-90% of it that the lock-out kit gives you.

For most, I am sure the lock-out kit will do, but I am VERY anal about handling and feel and I wanted 100% solid bushings back there. I do not regret that choice and am reminded everyday that I made the right decision.

[DangerZL1]

Any negative trade offs with the rear cradle kit? More NVH?

[LiqTenExp]

I have no regrets, just do it.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

Any negative trade offs with the rear cradle kit? More NVH?

ZERO. I notice no increase NVH and no increase in noise. I really thought there would be some penalty, but to my ear and butt-o-meter, there was no negative offset.

It is a no brainer and honestly I feel GM should have at least given all the 1LE's this upgrade, if not the entire line up.

[Pollock]

If I was doing it myself I would do the lockout kit. Looks easier to install. Removing the bushings looks real easy on you tube but it's a total pain. I did that to my 5th gen.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by Pollock

If I was doing it myself I would do the lockout kit. Looks easier to install. Removing the bushings looks real easy on you tube but it's a total pain. I did that to my 5th gen.

Yep, the lockout kit is easier, no question.

It's more a question of do you want 100% movement gone, or 80-90% gone.

I choose 100%, but I hear good things about the lockout kit, no first hand experience though.

[Pollock]

It took me a good 12 hrs to do mine. But part of the problem was me torch didnt get hot enough to melt the bushings so I had to buy another torch.
I can get stuff done right but wouldn't make any money as a mechanic. I'm slow.