Rear Air Suspension & Installation - Questions

[Fredsgarage]

Can someone school me up on Nivomats?

[Mikey97d]

Can someone school me up on Nivomats?

This website will help explain how Nivomats work: Nivomat Shock Absorbers: Self-Leveling Monotube Ride Control Units

[Fredsgarage]

Where should I purchase these seem perfect for an occasional Tow job

[Mikey97d]

RockAuto appears to have the best pricing for the shocks. They are supposed to use a different coil spring but some say it works well enough with the non towing springs.

[Mr. Magnum]

Ok, the journey is over and I'm ready to report back on the install and improvements.

I will start by saying this...if you can't afford to go full airbags and you have BCR coilovers, this is the mod for you. Especially if you need to tow anything. We all know that when you go with lowering suspension, you lose the Nivomats (if you have them), and these will give you most of that capability back.

Before the install, at my current ride height of about 3" ground clearance, I was scraping the tire-to-fender liner on most hard bumps. Since the install, I had one little scrap while towing on the 2,000 mile journey, and not once during daily diriving.

During towing, I pumped the system to its maximum of 25 psi. During daily driving I'm running around 10psi. The drive is comfortable, balanced, and feels better than it ever has. The BCRs were designed for slightly light cars, and the rear springs have always felt a little soft. These complete remedy the problem.

I was trying to be extra careful during the install, and it took me about 4 hours to do. Now that I've done this...I could probably do it again in about an hour. It really is that simple of an install. Can't believe how worried I was compared to the actual level of difficult. Any beginner can tackle this job. Only tool I really needed was a drill to run the lines through the floor board.

PICTURES!!!!

The helper spring installed into the BCR rear springs:


The compressor setup mounted beneath the spare tire:


Spare tire and everything in place over the compressor. Can't even see the equipment:


Everything buttoned up:


Gauge/Controller installed:


Final ride height as it's driven today:

[Robgetsitsold]

Good info for the BCR.
How did the light bar install go? Would like to see it.
Sorry no one responded to your initial post. But like you said better late than never :-)

[Mikey97d]

Nice Install and Thank you for posting up the pictures!

So you have a mini-compressor for making adjustments anywhere? Nice!

[Mr. Magnum]

Nice Install and Thank you for posting up the pictures!

So you have a mini-compressor for making adjustments anywhere? Nice!

Mikey,

The compressor is the little black box at the center of the spare tire well. From completely deflated to full 25psi takes about 5 seconds. It's pretty cool You're supposed to set the desired pressure before you load the car so it stays at the proper ride height. But you can still add pressure it it feels too soft.

[Fredsgarage]

Very cool write up. After I put my TowHitch in I will be adding this set up to my stock springs. Or should I get a set of Nivomats?
I think I should use a rider hitch even though I am stock height in back.

I will be towing an early Camaro about 3400lbs.

[Mr. Magnum]

Good info for the BCR.
How did the light bar install go? Would like to see it.
Sorry no one responded to your initial post. But like you said better late than never :-)

Sorry for the late update on the light bar. Haven't had time to go out and take a proper photo, but here's a shot from my iPad of the car in the parking lot :P I still need to properly mount the switch inside the cab. Thinking I'll put it next to the shifter for quick on/off manipulation since my hand is always over there for the autostick.

[Mr. Magnum]

Very cool write up. After I put my TowHitch in I will be adding this set up to my stock springs. Or should I get a set of Nivomats?
I think I should use a rider hitch even though I am stock height in back.

I will be towing an early Camaro about 3400lbs.

Fred,

The airbags will be helpful regardless of which shocks you use, but the Nivomats are awesome. I'm disappointed that they can't be used with lowering springs. With the Nivomats, you won't need the air bags.

[2wheel]

My install of the air bags went well. See this for details:https://www.custommagnums.com/forums/...ml#post1114266

[martinbrown2324]

thanks Mikey97d for the link

[martinbrown2324]

it helped