New WS6

[Zeppelin]

So, with a total of about a 1 1/2" drop this is what I got. I'll leave the car settle a bit, and after driving it will take another measurement. Total cost: $3.79 Currently the passenger side sits about 1/4" higher than the driver. After settling I will re-measure and may end up taking a little more coil out of the passenger side. Here's the car after the drop.

[Zeppelin]

Took a few pics of the stance with the springs cut. Re-measured and both sides are the same after settling. I think I need to lower the front a little now though. Need to wait until I see if the new front brakes clear the rims without spacers first. If I have to space the rims out much, lowering it allot will lead to tire/fender contact on bumpy roads I am afraid. We'll see. The caliper adapter brackets finally shipped. Due here Friday, so I may get the brakes on this weekend. Ordered a set of Hellwig swaybars too. 35mm hollow front and 22mm hollow rear. Car currently has NO rear swaybar at all and the stock WS6 front bar.







Also got some nice black lugnuts in from Jegs. They are Gorilla brand. Nice heavy coating. Wrench didn't scratch them a bit. I grabbed a set of matching locks also.

[Zeppelin]

Just a few more pics I took today in the sun. Trackbracket caliper adapters came yesterday, so I should be able to get on the brakes as soon as it warms up a little. It is a very nice, heavy duty piece. I'll get some pics when I start the brake install.

[Zeppelin]

Got the swaybars in yesterday. Very nice looking product from Hellwig. 35 mm hollow front(thing is huge) and 22 mm adjustable hollow rear.

[Zeppelin]

With the nice weather, I thought I would get started on the brake swap. I took Sunday morning to dis-assemble the current brake system down to bare spindles. Off came the calipers, rotors, hubs, and the old brake lines. I then installed the new steel braided brake lines for the Z06 calipers.



Tonight I had to cut off the original caliper mounting ears to make room for the caliper adapter brackets.



Here is a pic of the caliper adapter bracket.



I then test fitted everything prior to painting the spindle. Here is the caliper adapter bracket test fitted with the hub.

[Zeppelin]

Test fitted the rotor and caliper while I was at it.





When the brake parts shipped initially, they didn't send the pads. I didn't realize that until I opened the small box Sunday that should have had the retainer clips and pads inside and only found the clips. Called them Monday and the pads shipped that day. Should have them in the next day or so. I hope to have the brakes done and the new front swaybar installed by Saturday.

[Zeppelin]

Brakes are done......finally. Took it on a maiden voyage to Jegs a little bit ago to take a set of the spacers back. Stops on a dime for sure. Here are a couple new pics.

Gotta send a big THANKS out to trackbird for putting up with all my calls and texts with questions. Thanks man.
Z06 brake pads(one side)


Brakes on

[Zeppelin]

Got the Hellwig rear swaybar on this morning. A couple things I'd suggest with the instructions. First they have in big bold print that the framerails will have to be drilled. But then in the detailed instructions they don't mention at all where the drilling needs to be done, what size bit should be used, or anything. Wasn't hard for me to figure out, but it would have been nice to have better instruction there for someone that may not be as savy. Also, when talking about installing the bolt where you have to drill the framerail, it specifically tells you to install a washer between the adjustable endlink and the new bracket. It does not mention at all that there is a washer provided for the outside also, between the endlink and the bolt. Only looking at the pics real well do you kind of see there is a washer there also. Also in the pics of the swaybar mounting brackets, it shows 2 nuts on each side of the u-bolt(and they do not appear to be locknuts), but only 1 locknut is provide for each side of the u-bolt (4 locknuts total, 2 for each side of the car). Other than those few points, the instructions were pretty straight forward and the parts are stellar. Here are a few pics.

Original endlink mounting bracket


New bracket


Adjustable endlinks assembled(assembly tool pictured also)


Adjustable endlinks mounted


Overall, the Hellwig adjustable rear swaybar is a very stout, quality piece IMO.

[Zeppelin]

I was also not happy with the rear wheel offset, even with the 3/4" spacer. The inside of the tire was very close to the rear inner fender, and the outer tire was tucked way too far inside the rear fender. So I picked up an additional 1" spacer. This new spacer actually bolts to the lugnuts coming off the axle, then has an additional set of lugnuts for the wheel. Its made from aircraft aluminum and IMO looks and feels like a nice quality product. Here is a pic of the spacers mounted.



Here is a pic of the rear with just the 3/4" spacer in place.


And with the new spacer added.


I'm much happier with the new rear spacing.

[THE BMF]

I saw your car the other day, I was headed to Baltimore and I had to drive by your house. Looks good. I'm thinking about trading my Monte Carlo SS on a 4th gen Trans Am that I will eventually sell/give to my oldest son. That way he can have a car that I know A LOT about, if he ever wants to make it faster.