What's the best option for a 2.2 sedan to perform to the same standards of it's SS coupe version?

I realize that the struts and springs are interchangeable, would that put it on par, or even close?

I don't just want a drop, I want cornering performance.

 

dropping it will help with cornering.
Lower center of gravity

 

Sway bars will also help with cornering. If you want serious cornering, your also gona need sticker tires.

 

The Eibach Pro kit, has a very small drop, but much more firm ride. Also sway bars (we offer a 1.0" rear one)

That will help A LOT.

 

A comparison of the two cars will help you a lot. The differences in the FE1 and FE5 suspensions are directly swappable on the cars. You've got:

Sway bars
Springs
Struts/shocks
wheel/tire combo
aluminum front lower control arms (lower unsprung weight)
different rear axle

And there is also the 5-lug hub with different brakes. But those don't effect cornering. FE5 has a different ratio steering rack too.

I have been keeping my eye on the salvage yard boards for some time now looking for the control arms and axle. But the other parts I've gone aftermarket for, and they are better then OEM.

 

How hard are the control arms to replace?

 

I have to add, I love my KW V2 coilovers, best thing I have done to the car. Daily driving is great and performance is beautiful. I do autox and having the ability to change dampening is a plus; soft front; firm rear; for autox, balance out f/r for dd or open track. For you model look into sway bars FE5 parts if possible and aftermarket rear bar. Those combined will make a world of difference and last for some time.

 

I installed the pro kit and while it didn't lower my car more than about 3/4" , it did however incredibly improve the handling. With the Nitto 555s it flat out sticks like glue and drives like a go-cart. I'm going to get in some serious trouble in this car because it handles so great . Strut bar and rear sway bar might be next, though I really don't think it needs to handle much better.

 

right now tires are really what would help the most, then getting the weight under control (less motion that is unwanted)

Get coilovers or Konis with springs
at least a rear sway bar, maybe front
strut bar
traction bars
sub frame braces
wider tires/wheels

 

yep springs mainly helps the center of gravity, also due to the stiffer spring/shock the weight thrown around from body roll is lowered. the sway bars etc will help you more towards enhancing overall shear turning capability, aka a few extra miles an hour around turns and/or more g's while keeping stability.

 

Just get coilovers, strut/sway bars and wider wheels w/ wide sticky tires and you'll be fine.

 

some 22's

 

throw some throw some D's on that bitch.

 

I said I want to turn, not do barrel rolls.

 

Even wider tires help to some degree.

 

Sticky, wide tires will make the biggest noticeable impact on turn in and over all handling grip performance.

 

Yes, I agree........whoa.....what the........20,038 posts!!!!! Holy Nuts, dude how in the hell do you find time for 20,000 posts.....LOL.

 

lol he lives on this forum.. apparently

 

 

haha what do those weigh 40lbs just for the rim? the man never said he wanted it to corner like a slug

 

Save your # its a LS cobalt. BUY springs from somebody on here selling their stock SS/SC springs. You dont want more than if i had to guess maybe a 1.4-1.8 inch drop. You WILL bottom out your struts, that happens, THEY BREAK.

I put my ss/sc springs on the other day from a gentlemen on here. My LS handles pretty damn close to an SS. I'm sure the SS/SC has swaybars that make it even better, but I'm in NO way capable of installing a front sway bar.

I picked mine up for like 100bucks shipped. Hell of a lot cheaper than Eibachs for similar if not identical suspension gains. Your still going to have your stock springs and struts which suck. Not to mention crappy selection on finding lightweight 4 lug racing rims.

 

Um how do you figure, the 4 lug rims are plentiful in our bolt pattern its the same pattern as most honda's the rims i just put on are only 14.6lbs. Montecarloman found some nice forged rims that were only 14lbs. O and the Eibachs are a diff spring rate than factory ss springs they dont feel the same.

 

he does have allot of posts, never noticed.

 

I have to disagree with just about everything in this post. Eibach Pro-kits are probably the best springs made for the entire Cobalt line. They are better then stock FE5's, and they don't bottom out your struts. In fact the only difference between FE1 and FE5 struts are the fluid rates. I've been on stock FE1 struts and shocks with my Eibachs for 3 years now.

And there are FAR more wheels available in the 4*100 lug pattern then there are for the 5*110 pattern on the FE5.

 

LOL dude 90% of people on here aren't going to do enough to their LS cobalt to even feel the difference between 300 dollar eibachs springs and the ss/sc springs. I have them on my car now, my car handles perfect at even the top speed of the car.

I'm telling you right now, you put a 300 dollar set of Eibachs in your car you better have a 20000 watt sound system because every rut or bump in the road is giong to make your car feel likes its falling apart.
I'm sorry but if I can corner like I can with mine at 107 ( until trifecta time ) for 100 bucks compared to Eibachs 300. I'm all for it.

Personally I think a 2.5 " drop just looks stupid anyways. Sure if your going to keep it in a show room drop that bad boy to the ground. Those huge drop kits totally take out the practicality of it still being a DD car.

""::driving down the local interstate::""" Hmm wow Mcdonals that sure sounds good right now... Ahh dammit its more than a 2" incline I can't pull in or I'll scrape. Oh well .. Wendys' dammit its flat but theres a 2 inch BUMP in the drive way. CAN'T go there I guess lol ::""" Yes that was a exageration but you get the point.

I dont feel the sacrifice in other areas are worth the claimed amazing suspension. Personally I like a BIT of body roll anyways, when used properly you can use it to fliing the car in the next direction.