SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Suspension, brake, and hydraulic/electric steering discussion.
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Pursuit
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Location: Omaha, NE area

Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by Pursuit »

The different part numbers changing from year to year probably changed due to type of rear sway bar being used and also magnetic ride control being introduced. I went with the 2014 springs as they were the closest to my platform.

Regards,

Maurice
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
Sanford
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Location: Texas Gulf Coast

Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by Sanford »

I swapped some low mileage stock 2013 Caprice rear strut/spring assemblies with the factory 2011 Caprice rear strut/spring assemblies and it made a 100% improvement it ride quality. I read that the 2011 rear struts had some pretty strong valving and GM changed to some with softer valving in the 2012/2013's. My car is a semi daily driver, so I try prefer to keep the suspension as stock as possible. I can remember when the local PD added several Caprices to their fleet and I would be following beside or behind them and it looked like the rear suspension did not budge any when they drove down some of the bumpier streets in town. Now the car at least feels like the rear suspension compresses a little when the car goes over a small dip in the road. I have a 80 Corvette with the gymkhana suspension option and I believe it was a smoother ride than the Caprice until rear strut swap.

David
Last edited by Sanford on Fri Apr 14, 2017 8:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
jackleg
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Joined: Wed May 04, 2016 9:25 pm
Location: SW MI

Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by jackleg »

There may not be a choice NOT to swap over to the SS springs- the Caprice springs show "Discontinued"
2011 9C1 6.0
RCR "Little Lunati" 219/223 .625/.625 112+0
Kooks headers, hi flow cats, Dynomax Super Turbos
Flex fuel tune
CrashTestDummy
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Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by CrashTestDummy »

There's still rear springs available, and I'd see no reason why you can't use 2016 springs for the front.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
jackleg
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed May 04, 2016 9:25 pm
Location: SW MI

Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by jackleg »

CrashTestDummy wrote:There's still rear springs available, and I'd see no reason why you can't use 2016 springs for the front.
Well that's good to know
I'm replacing the struts and was planning on reusing the OEM springs. The rear is done, I used the Monroe replacement for the back - they're stamped "made in Australia" and came with the lower spring rubber.
Was making plans to work on the front and the springs have lost most of the black coating and are all rusted up.
2011 9C1 6.0
RCR "Little Lunati" 219/223 .625/.625 112+0
Kooks headers, hi flow cats, Dynomax Super Turbos
Flex fuel tune
Hzgray
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Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2016 8:04 pm
Location: Old Dominion

Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by Hzgray »

I am thinking about installing SS springs on my 2013 PPV. Does anyone have any regrets after using these springs for a bit? Assume these are more than cosmetic and the car handles better? Thx!
2013 9C3, DoD delete, BTR Stg 1, Kooks 1 7/8, Rotofab, 3.27 Diff, VMR 810 wheels (staggered), King Springs (lowered), oh and a D1SC.
Pursuit
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Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by Pursuit »

No regrets at all. I was glad to get rid of the heavy/stiff rated springs in the rear. The originals were designed with the assumption of a lot of gear and electronics in the trunk. The car still has great handling. I also had the TPMS thresholds dropped down so that I could run 35 psi without getting the warnings. I haven't talked to or seen anyone that hasn't liked this upgrade.

Regards,

Maurice
Maurice Sheil

mhsheil@gmail.com

2011 Caprice Phantom Black 9C3
2012 Impala 9C1
1995 9C1 Caprice
1996 GMC Sierra C1500
1996 Chevrolet K2500 Extended Cab, long box, 454, 91,000 rust free miles
1974 SJ Grand Prix 455 well optioned with factory moon roof
Hzgray
Posts: 90
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2016 8:04 pm
Location: Old Dominion

Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by Hzgray »

Thanks. I was hoping to hear this!
2013 9C3, DoD delete, BTR Stg 1, Kooks 1 7/8, Rotofab, 3.27 Diff, VMR 810 wheels (staggered), King Springs (lowered), oh and a D1SC.
xcidmigs
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Location: SE PA

Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by xcidmigs »

Pursuit wrote: I also had the TPMS thresholds dropped down so that I could run 35 psi without getting the warnings

Maurice

HOW DID YOU DO THIS?

P.S. I have the SS springs/later shocks and 1LE rear lower control arms on my 2011 and the ride is much less harsh than stock despite using 19" tires.
cal30_sniper
Posts: 103
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2016 1:17 pm

Re: SS Sedan Springs under the 2011 Caprice PPV

Post by cal30_sniper »

xcidmigs wrote:
Pursuit wrote: I also had the TPMS thresholds dropped down so that I could run 35 psi without getting the warnings

Maurice

HOW DID YOU DO THIS?

P.S. I have the SS springs/later shocks and 1LE rear lower control arms on my 2011 and the ride is much less harsh than stock despite using 19" tires.
Whats the advantage to the 1LE control arms? Was the swap so you could run wider rims, or do they have some kind of improved suspension geometry?
-2011 Caprice 9C3: Mirage Glow Metallic, 63k miles
-2011 Caprice 9C1 (Gone)
-1973 Firebird Formula, restoration in progress
-1986 K30 Suburban 8.1L/NV4500, the toy hauler and wheeler
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