Lowering your GS

[cozbyrt]

Hmm, I wonder if Eibach wants a test car, they're only in Corona?

But then again, it doesn't sound like they have anything concrete at this point.

It sounds like us 2011 owners are out of luck unless the suspensions are the same or someone who lives close could offer a test vehicle.😉

 

[GTXgp]

H&R makes a kit for the Insignia OPC, it lowers the car about an inch, but it is only available in Europe. I found a few online vendors that will ship to the US and I am probably going to order it. They also have products that fit the standard Insignia, so that should work for non-GS Regals.

 

[Crisis]

H&R makes a kit for the Insignia OPC, it lowers the car about an inch, but it is only available in Europe. I found a few online vendors that will ship to the US and I am probably going to order it. They also have products that fit the standard Insignia, so that should work for non-GS Regals.

I wouldn't put my money in OPC springs before you confirm that the 4wd OPC has the same rear springs as a FWD GS. Just a thought.

If H&R (ir their vendors) can confirm the OPC spring set on the rear is the same on non-OPC (as far as fitment) then there would be no issue as far as fitment goes. (Don't know how it would drive though).

 

[Crisis]

It sounds like us 2011 owners are out of luck unless the suspensions are the same or someone who lives close could offer a test vehicle.😉

I am not aware of ANY major changes in suspension on Turbo Regals between 2011 and 2012.

If you like, take pictures of your suspension setup and I'll compare to my 2012.
There has been nothing in GM media about suspension updated between 2011-2012 that I've seen, and would not make sense for GM to use any different parts.

It's a shame we don't have spare part numbers for the 2012 cars, I have not seen any, only 2011. It would be easy to compare the major components.

 

[cozbyrt]

I am not aware of ANY major changes in suspension on Turbo Regals between 2011 and 2012.

If you like, take pictures of your suspension setup and I'll compare to my 2012.
There has been nothing in GM media about suspension updated between 2011-2012 that I've seen, and would not make sense for GM to use any different parts.

It's a shame we don't have spare part numbers for the 2012 cars, I have not seen any, only 2011. It would be easy to compare the major components.

Give me a couple of weeks and I should have my car back finally.

 

[GTXgp]

I wouldn't put my money in OPC springs before you confirm that the 4wd OPC has the same rear springs as a FWD GS. Just a thought.

If H&R (ir their vendors) can confirm the OPC spring set on the rear is the same on non-OPC (as far as fitment) then there would be no issue as far as fitment goes. (Don't know how it would drive though).

In Europe they have strict regulations on aftermarket parts and require detailed documentation on their parts. Here is the spec sheet for the Insignia springs:

http://www.h-r.com/includes/download.php?file=../bin/28998.pdf

As you can see, in the middle of the 3rd page they have detailed info for which springs go with which models:

Front Axle:

Ausführung /

​

​

​

​

Version I / II (Achse 1/Axle 1) : > 1160 kg / < 1160 kg zul. Achslast/perm. axle load
Ausführung / Version II (Achse 1/Axle 1) : OPC (alle Ausführungen / all versions)​

Rear Axle:
Ausführung / Version I / II (Achse 2/Axle 2) : Limousine/Sedan 2WD / 4WD
Ausführung / Version III / IV (Achse 2/Axle 2) : Sports Tourer/Station wagon 2WD / 4WD​

Therefore, we need 28998-2 VA (F) for the front and H&R 28998 HA (R) for the rear.​

Also, from reading on some german Insignia forums most of them suggest doing a 15mm wheel spacer in the front and a 20mm wheel spacer in the rear to get the stance just right. After doing some measurements on my car I can see what they mean, it would really give the car a much more aggressive look and a better track width for handling. I am waiting on my account to get approved over there to chat with them more about it. Wheel spacer are not for the faint of heart, I'm curious to ask them why do that as opposed to getting new wheels with less offset.​

Adam​

 

[GTXgp]

In fact, based on the exact part numbers... it looks like H&R would work for both regular and GS Regals... based on the tech specs, 28998-5 works for both in 2WD. There is a disclaimer that it won't lower as much on the GS (20-30mm on regular, 15-25mm on GS) but otherwise they are identical.

 

[Crisis]

In Europe they have strict regulations on aftermarket parts and require detailed documentation on their parts. Here is the spec sheet for the Insignia springs:

http://www.h-r.com/includes/download.php?file=../bin/28998.pdf

As you can see, in the middle of the 3rd page they have detailed info for which springs go with which models:

Front Axle:

Ausführung /

​

​

​

​

Version I / II (Achse 1/Axle 1) : > 1160 kg / < 1160 kg zul. Achslast/perm. axle load
Ausführung / Version II (Achse 1/Axle 1) : OPC (alle Ausführungen / all versions)​

Rear Axle:
Ausführung / Version I / II (Achse 2/Axle 2) : Limousine/Sedan 2WD / 4WD
Ausführung / Version III / IV (Achse 2/Axle 2) : Sports Tourer/Station wagon 2WD / 4WD​

Therefore, we need 28998-2 VA (F) for the front and H&R 28998 HA (R) for the rear.​

Also, from reading on some german Insignia forums most of them suggest doing a 15mm wheel spacer in the front and a 20mm wheel spacer in the rear to get the stance just right. After doing some measurements on my car I can see what they mean, it would really give the car a much more aggressive look and a better track width for handling. I am waiting on my account to get approved over there to chat with them more about it. Wheel spacer are not for the faint of heart, I'm curious to ask them why do that as opposed to getting new wheels with less offset.​

Adam​

Based on a turbo having 1099kg/1028kg (GAWR, FRT/RR), the versio 1 springs should work just fine. (not sure about the GS, check the sticker on the drivers door opening).

Also the reason they use spacers instead of new wheels is purely cost. Nothing else. Once you start pushing the tire out, the next logical thing to do is get a wider wheel and tire to fill the room on the inside. Bigger tires are expensive so if your only doing if for looks, a spacer is just fine. Also many have to run summer and winter tires (real studed winter tires up in northern europe, not the BS M+S tires), and spacers are convenient since they transfer over, no need to by 2 sets of wheels to keep the same appearance all year round.

I also pointed out earlier the same frustration in Eibach on the spring issue. Both Eibach and H&R make the right springs, they should just take my money and put the springs on the market already.

 

[GTXgp]

I went ahead and ordered the H&R's from a company in the UK for $275. The price is pretty reasonable since H&R usually run on the more expensive side.

Also, I verified that Eibach makes a spacer for the Camaro that will work for us. The translation on the German site is a bit spotty, I am not sure if they are shaving the factory studs to get it to work with the spacer. I will probably pull a wheel off tomorrow to see if there are pockets on the back of the wheel mounting surface between the stud holes ...that would allow extra room for the studs without shaving. I am also hoping the offset is stamped inside the wheel because I found conflicting info between 42mm and 45mm.

 

[Garrus]

Hey GTX. Not sure if this is applicable. But if you went ahead and ordered, maybe start a new thread. I am absolutely interested to see how it turns out. If they work/meet specs I would be all over this purchase.

 

[GTXgp]

Hey GTX. Not sure if this is applicable. But if you went ahead and ordered, maybe start a new thread. I am absolutely interested to see how it turns out. If they work/meet specs I would be all over this purchase.

Will do 🙂

 

[02eco]

Any updates on this? I'm looking to buy a GS and it's gonna be my first mod followed by a second set of 20's. 🙂

 

[xXCraigerzXx]

Any updates on this? I'm looking to buy a GS and it's gonna be my first mod followed by a second set of 20's. 🙂

I called Eibach about a week and a half ago and they said that the springs were in the prototype phase and should be out by Aug-Sep'ish. She did say that they were however, not a priority. So...who knows.

 

[02eco]

Sorry, I was referring to GTX installing H&R springs. 🙂

 

[GTXgp]

Haven't received them yet but I will post a new thread once I do.

 

[GTXgp]

oh, but here is a pic to wet your appetite from one of the international forums I am on:

Lowered with wheel spacers to get the "flush" look. It also has staggered wheels, not sure if I am a fan of that on a non-RWD car.

 

[cozbyrt]

oh, but here is a pic to wet your appetite from one of the international forums I am on:

Lowered with wheel spacers to get the "flush" look. It also has staggered wheels, not sure if I am a fan of that on a non-RWD car.

I like the stance on that car. I'm iffy on the paint job. Looking forward to your results and hope to add lowering springs to my own car in the future.

 

[FatherDeth]

Niiiice!!!

 

[02eco]

I love that stance!!! Not crazy about wheel spacers, I'd go for another set of wheels and tinker with offsets to push the wheels out. Not the exact same result as spacers but it can improve the stance significantly.

I'd stagger it depending on the car, I can understand why people do it on a FWD car, it does look good personally...I wouldn't though. Although you'd have to be a little more careful when deciding to take a corner hard as it can induce more understeer, given more grip in the rear. As long as one realizes, it's pretty much cosmetic and nothing more.

An just an FYI, I sent an email to Canuck Motorsports...I have their springs in my GTP Comp G and asked about GS springs...here's the reply;

Hi,

Thank you for your interest in our products.
The only way we would be able to design a set of the coils for that vehicle is to let our engineer keep a set of your stock coils for a while in order to design the drop coils specs.
If you or somene you know is intersted in doing that, we may be able to make the design. Now that will be based on engineers decision if you can prove to him there is a demand for them.

You can call us and speak to the engineer and you can get a better idea of the procedures. 604-599-5433
Regards,

LM

 

[Garrus]

Bump. Awesome photo posted GTX. 02, that is legit getting in contact with Canuck Motorsports. Sitting here on pins and needles waiting for updates.