View Poll Results: Spring Choice
Stock Ride Height
13
11.71%
Eibach Sportline Ride Height
98
88.29%
Voters: 111. You may not vote on this poll
First Spring Install on 08 Cobalt SS/TC
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 06-25-08
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Hotlanta
First Spring Install on 08 Cobalt SS/TC
After doing a couple of fairly quick checks on the SS/TC suspension, it appeared the rear semi-ind beam was the same as the 05-07s and possibly the struts on the front were the same (in design). I was more sure of the rears than the fronts.
I sourced a set of Eibach Sportlines ($237, part# 4.9938) from the local NOPI store and was initially worried about the proposed drop. Maybe its me, I dunno - but everything that I've read on this site shows the Sportlines dropping the car about 2" or so.. but the specs from Eibach were 1" FR and 1.3"R. Which is the drop I wanted, I'm just used to seeing more from Sportlines than a 1" drop. Anyway, so I was cautious and began thinking it wasnt going to work.
I figured I would do the Left Front strut first since the rears had a pretty good chance of fitting. No sense installing the rear springs only to find out the fronts dont fit, right?
After pulling the spring and comparing it to the Sportline spring, I really began to question it. The Sportline spring was almost an inch taller. Not a good sign. Pushing down with my hands to check the spring rate (very calculated method) it seemed the Eibachs were more progressive - which is a plus.
I went ahead with the install and everything mated up like it should. No issues. The spring compressor worked just fine and I was able to lower the spring enough to get the top hat, bearing and strut plate on the strut body. Here is a nice shot of our brakes, too. You know we can change pads in less than 2 minutes? Very trick.
Moving on the rears I encountered the same problem with the initial spring heights. The rears were about an 1" taller. The SS/TC is going to look like its ready for an offroad rally - great. Either way I had gone this far so no reason to stop now. Just a note, which most of you already know, be sure to remove both rear shocks (lower bolt) to get the rear beam to swing down. You still need to push down to get the spring out, its just easier this way.
After getting the rears done, I moved back to the front and finished the right front strut. It was a very straight forward install, a couple of bolts, a spring compressor and you're done. Dont forget to line up the top hat white mark with the back line of the strut body, since the plates are angled. The strut plate (with the three bolts) has a green line to mate up to the line on the top hat. Align everything before tightening the nut on the shock. Once tight, you can move the strut plate but not the top hat.
Ok - the results. Well initially it looked like the springs did more in the rear in the front. Which is just as bad as anything, really. But without having plates under the front tires that allow the suspension to settle, I knew it would get lower after a drive around the block. And it did. The ride height is damn near perfect. Maybe I'd prefer a .5" more drop, but thats just the racer in me talking. For the street, its dead on. The ride is amazing. So much like stock but slightly quicker turn in (could be my bad toe now, who knows). The car does feel lighter on its feet and the transitions are much quicker. Less body roll. All in all, I give it a 95 out of a 100.
Here are some comparo shots.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
MORE AFTER
I sourced a set of Eibach Sportlines ($237, part# 4.9938) from the local NOPI store and was initially worried about the proposed drop. Maybe its me, I dunno - but everything that I've read on this site shows the Sportlines dropping the car about 2" or so.. but the specs from Eibach were 1" FR and 1.3"R. Which is the drop I wanted, I'm just used to seeing more from Sportlines than a 1" drop. Anyway, so I was cautious and began thinking it wasnt going to work.
I figured I would do the Left Front strut first since the rears had a pretty good chance of fitting. No sense installing the rear springs only to find out the fronts dont fit, right?
After pulling the spring and comparing it to the Sportline spring, I really began to question it. The Sportline spring was almost an inch taller. Not a good sign. Pushing down with my hands to check the spring rate (very calculated method) it seemed the Eibachs were more progressive - which is a plus.
I went ahead with the install and everything mated up like it should. No issues. The spring compressor worked just fine and I was able to lower the spring enough to get the top hat, bearing and strut plate on the strut body. Here is a nice shot of our brakes, too. You know we can change pads in less than 2 minutes? Very trick.
Moving on the rears I encountered the same problem with the initial spring heights. The rears were about an 1" taller. The SS/TC is going to look like its ready for an offroad rally - great. Either way I had gone this far so no reason to stop now. Just a note, which most of you already know, be sure to remove both rear shocks (lower bolt) to get the rear beam to swing down. You still need to push down to get the spring out, its just easier this way.
After getting the rears done, I moved back to the front and finished the right front strut. It was a very straight forward install, a couple of bolts, a spring compressor and you're done. Dont forget to line up the top hat white mark with the back line of the strut body, since the plates are angled. The strut plate (with the three bolts) has a green line to mate up to the line on the top hat. Align everything before tightening the nut on the shock. Once tight, you can move the strut plate but not the top hat.
Ok - the results. Well initially it looked like the springs did more in the rear in the front. Which is just as bad as anything, really. But without having plates under the front tires that allow the suspension to settle, I knew it would get lower after a drive around the block. And it did. The ride height is damn near perfect. Maybe I'd prefer a .5" more drop, but thats just the racer in me talking. For the street, its dead on. The ride is amazing. So much like stock but slightly quicker turn in (could be my bad toe now, who knows). The car does feel lighter on its feet and the transitions are much quicker. Less body roll. All in all, I give it a 95 out of a 100.
Here are some comparo shots.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
MORE AFTER
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: 06-25-08
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Hotlanta
I track my cars so I wont know for sure until I get it on Road Atlanta. But as far as the street driving, its 100 times better. Quicker turn in with less body roll. The spring rates are nice and compliment the revised shocks. I'd estimate its about 15% stiffer than stock. The big thing is weight transfer - and the car just feels planted.
I'm nearly positive the handling has improved - probably to .94 around the 200ft skidpad.
I'm nearly positive the handling has improved - probably to .94 around the 200ft skidpad.