The sixth-generation Camaro has scarcely started making its way to Chevrolet dealer lots and into the hands of anxiously awaiting customers. That hasn’t stopped BMR Suspension from crafting a slew of new performance suspension components designed to vastly improve the latest GM pony car’s drag strip performance or corner carving capability —whichever its owner desires.
Outfitted with prototype parts, most of which will make their way into production, BMR’s sixth-generation Camaro was prominently displayed at the head of the company’s booth at the 2015 PRI Show. BMR’s Pete Epple was quick to show us many of the OEM parts which, while they will work for an OEM application are not necessarily geared towards maximizing performance. It’s clear that as good as the sixth-generation Camaro is from the factory, GM carved up the suspension components significantly to help reduce weight. Under hard driving some of that weight reduction is likely leading to more flex, resulting in wheelhop, and less stable cornering according to Epple.
Sixth-Generation Camaro Parts
BK058 – Bushing kit, differential, polyurethane
BK059 – Bushing kit, differential, aluminum
BK060 – Bushing Kit, differential lockout
BK061 – Bushing kit, rear cradle, polyurethane
BK062 – Bushing kit, rear cradle, aluminum
BK063 – Bushing kit, rear cradle, lockout
BK064 – Bushing kit, rear trailing arms, polyurethane
BK065 – Bushing kit, rear trailing arms, bearings
BK066 – Bushing kit, rear lower control arms, Delrin
BK067 – Bushing kit, rear lower control arms, bearing
BK068 – Bushing kit, Rear upper control arms, polyurethane
BK069 – Bushing kit, rear upper control arms, bearing
CB008 – Chassis Brace, front of rear cradle
CB009 – Chassis Brace, rear of rear cradle
ELK015 – Adjustable sway bar end link, set of four
ELK016 – Adjustable sway bar end links, front
ELK017 – Adjustable sway bar end links, rear
DTB005 – Driveshaft tunnel brace, rear
DTB006 – Driveshaft tunnel brace, center
UTCA058 – Upper control arm, front
UTCA059 – Upper control arm, rear
TCA059 – Trailing arm, adjustable
TCA060 – Trailing arm, non-adjustable
TR007 – Toe rod, adjustable
TR006 – Toe rod, non-adjustable
TCA061 – Lower Control arm, rear, adjustable spring perch (currently a prototype)
DSL019 – Driveshaft safety loop
SB049 – Sway bar kit with bushings, front
SB050 – Sway bar kit with bushings, Front
SB051 – Sway bar kit with bushings, rear
SP041 – Lowering springs, set of four, performance version
SP042 – Lowering springs, front, performance version
SP043 – Lowering springs, rear, performance version
SP044 – Lowering springs, set of four, 1.25-inch drop, handling version
SP045 – Lowering springs, front, 1.25-inch drop, handling version
SP046 – Lowering springs, rear, 1.25-inch drop, handling version
SP047 – Lowering springs, set of four, 1.25-inch drop, drag version
SP048 – Lowering springs, front, 1.25-inch drop, drag version
SP049 – Lowering Springs, rear, 1.25-inch drop, drag version
“Enthusiasts will have to give up a small amount of this car’s weight savings in order to get a suspension that performs in a predictable and consistent manner. However, the trade-off will be improved performance and better reliability, making the car more enjoyable to drive, easier on parts, and more reliable under track conditions,” says Epple.
A part that Epple is certain will make it to production and is likely to make a huge difference in the way the car performs is the cradle lockout kit. “We found with the previous generation Camaro and the new Mustang that wheelhop starts with the diff and the cradle, so if we can eliminate deflection in those areas, the challenge of eliminating wheelhop becomes easier. The downside is there’s a direct correlation between how stiff the bushings are and how much additional NVH (noise vibration and harshness) there is.”
Tunnel braces have been a part of the Camaro world since the fourth-generation F-body. “Since these cars have such deep transmission and driveshaft tunnels, GM puts a factory brace in here. The problem with that brace is it’s stamped steel and relatively flimsy. We know from previous experience with tunnel braces these parts work to reduce deflection and improve performance.”
When the BMR crew returns to Florida after the PRI Show they will begin the testing and validation process on all of these parts. Epple says the company should begin offering 2016 Camaro parts in the first quarter of 2016, with new components arriving on a regular basis as they are tested, validated, and proven.