PRI 2015: BMR Engineers Improvements For Sixth-Gen Camaro Suspension

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

The prototype parts on display included new rear control arms, chassis braces, two tunnel braces, cradle lock-out kit, three-way adjustable front and rear sway bars with new end-links, and new front and rear lowering springs. Epple says that BMR will offer three different spring packages, street, handling, and drag racing. “We’re taking lessons we’ve learned from our experience with the fifth-generation Camaro, and the sixth-generation Mustang, and applying that to the new sixth-generation Camaro.” Epple says many of the new parts will be offered with a choice of spherical, polyurethane, and Delrin bushings when appropriate.

“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.

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About the author

Don Creason

Don Creason is an automotive journalist with passions that lie from everything classic, all the way to modern muscle. Experienced tech writer, and all around car aficionado, Don's love for both cars and writing makes him the perfect addition to the Power Automedia team of experts.
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