Here's my dilemma.

First, I know nothing about suspension so expect some newbieness from me on this aspect.

Secondly, I want to upgrade the suspension on the car to handle the absolute ♠♠♠♠ty quality of the roads here in NYC. I have to contend with potholes, snow, ice, rain, speed bumps, and craters (which are just big ass potholes that stall your car when you hit them).

Thirdly, I do not want to lower the car, I scrape everything as it is now at stock height so I can't imagine lowered. Yes, I do understand that lowering the car adds performance and might make the next point see stupid but trust me, I scrape everything there is to scrape except the actual road. There are speed bumps to and from my block and if I lower the car even a little bit (these bumps are big, Bryce knows what I am talking about) I'm going to lose the flimsy front bumper on day 1.

Fourthly, I do want some sort of performance handling out of this and perhaps, maybe, in the future, if the car responds better with this I will do more performance mods to the car.


Right now, the car makes more noise than a 2-year old with ADD. I can't stand it and it just feels flimsy and cheap and that's part of the reason I hate this car but I don't like much else and what I do like I can't afford so I've just got to bite the bullet, deal with the Cobalt, and hope it lasts for as long as I want. I'd rather turn it into a performance car way down the line (if I could make it not feel like ♠♠♠♠) and have something else as a daily driver.

So my question is what are some recommendations you can give for upgrading the suspension? Car is the 2006 SS S/C model and still all stock. I use all-season tires (if that matters) and I don't want to have to change my tires and rims (I've spent a lot of money on 6 tires [4 new when I bought + 2 side-wall flats] and I've got thousands upon thousands of miles on these left). I'm not looking for anything cool or sick, function over appearance here. So please help me begin my research into what I am doing. Eventually too I'll be looking for a professional shop to have this done (in my area so if something gets fubar'd I can go back to it easily).

Oh yeah, side question, could you stick TC axles in an SC? (I only ask because I know those are thicker and beefier).

Thanks

PS: Yes I posted this on GMSC too, because I want as much input as possible and CBA with the intersite rivalry.

 

You can go with Eibach springs. They improve the handling, but they have one model of springs that does not lower the car.
The S/C axles are different from T/C. If you want stronger axles for your S/C, you can get them either from driveshaftshop.com or from zzp.

btw, what part of nyc do you live?

 

I reside in the Bronx, work in Queens, spend time in Westchester and LI, so I'm basically touring the potholes .

 

no drop? get the TC/SS shocks struts and springs

You want best handling? Get TC/SS struts shocks and pedders springs.

edit: ya for axels get the gmpp ones, or some other companies stage X ones. If you want TC axles you should talk to John Powell.

 

what northvibe says

Pedders with ss/tc struts

doesnt lower the car. (if any BARELY)

and senna is right about eibach offering the springs that dont lower. but it makes the ride STIFF.


pedders and ss/tc struts are the way to go man

 

Yes, all correct. For what you wanna do, either eibach (not the sportlines) or pedders.
Just a question: if you are all stock, why are you looking for stronger axles?

 

I may in the future want to Stage 2 it.


GMSC is saying a lot of the same stuff to with the TC stuff and Pedders and all that I like because I know the TC has better suspension than the SC.

 

Or just get Pedders, and order a set of Konis to put into your existing struts (replaces rear shocks). It's more expensive, but it's another step up.

 

^this my nig is the truth

 

The Pedders DO lower the car just not as much as some!!!!!!!!!!!!! as do the TC springs they are shorter than SC springs and have a stiffer spring rate.

The whole TC setup is very good for handling especially with and OTTP swaybar and still give pretty good ride quality.

 

Do you know by how much?

 

TC's are 20mm shorter up front and 5mm shorter in rear than SC springs.