Question: 95 coupe suspension options?

[billday]

I have a 95 coupe, automatic, FE1 suspension. I would like to upgrade it for SCCA stock class Autocross. I understand Z51 was not available in '95. Here are some questions:
1. Was Z07 available with an automatic? What all did it include?
2. Was FE7 available alone, or was it part of another option package? If so, what did it include? It is listed on the 95 Production page, but not on the suspension chart on this site.
3. According to the suspension chart, the only way I could run 9.5" wide front wheels is by converting to Z07, right? In SCCA, the shocks are free, so Selective Ride would not be required, the way I understand the rules.

Thanks in advance!
Bill

 

[Toms007]

I can't answer all of your questions but I can help out with a couple.

The Z07 was available with A4 (I have a 94 Z07 with auto), they are not as common, but they were built.

In 94 the 13" J55 brakes were part of the package, in 95 J55 became standard. The next item is the Front and rear sway bars 30mm solid front and 24mm solid rear with high rate springs front and rear. The performance axle ratio was a required option, 3.07 in the case of the auto trans version. The FX3 adjustable shocks were also part of the Z07 package. And last but not least 9.5" wheels all round with 275/40 x 17tires.

The Z07 was never available in the convertible version only with the coupe.

 

[billday]

I can't answer all of your questions but I can help out with a couple.

The Z07 was available with A4 (I have a 94 Z07 with auto), they are not as common, but they were built.

In 94 the 13" J55 brakes were part of the package, in 95 J55 became standard. They next item is the Front and rear sway bars 30mm solid front and 24mm solid rear with high rate springs front and rear. The performance axle ratio was a required option, 3.07 in the case of the auto trans version. The FX3 adjustable shocks were also part of the Z07 package. And last but not least 9.5" wheels all round with 275/40 x 17tires.

The Z07 was never available in the convertible version only with the coupe.

Thanks, that answers most of my questions! It looks like the FE1 & Z07 rear sways are both 24 mm. I haven't found any information that indicates the FE7 is a stand alone option.

On a side issue, I have the car in the shop swapping in a 3.07 differential that I found at a reasonable price. I'll probably just put my 2.59 away "just in case", unless somebody really wants an economy rear gear.

 

[Toms007]

Who do you have doing your rear end work?

 

[billday]

I bought a diff. on ebay, had a mechanic friend check it over, and Manweiler Chevrolet in Hoisington is changing it out. It should be done in the morning. I had a hard time deciding who to trust the job to. Initially, I planned to change it out myself, but decided otherwise.

 

[Toms007]

I would not have guessed Manweiler, didn't realize that they even had mechanics there any more.

 

[Hib Halverson]

RPO Z07 was the combination of the FE7 suspension and the FX3 shocks.

As "toms94" said, Z07 included higher rate springs and a larger front stablizer bar. The rear bar varied. It was either a 26 with the 91 spec front spring or a 24 with the 92-95 spec front spring. For autocrossing, you want the 91 spring and the 26 mm bar. Actually, regardless of the front spring rate, you want the 26 to loosen the car up.

Z07 also included front lower control arms with special bushings that were harder than base. Unfortunately, those arms were never serviced and only installed at the factory. The only way to get a good set would be off a low-mileage wreck equipped with either Z51 or Z07.

FE7 was never available alone. It was always combined with other options. For MY95 it was paired with FX3.

To run the 9.5 wheel, you'd have to add the FE7 parts. If shocks are free then you don't need to add all the FX3 electronics and shocks. I'd start with some double-adjustable Konis and work from there.

 

[billday]

RPO Z07 was the combination of the FE7 suspension and the FX3 shocks.

As "toms94" said, Z07 included higher rate springs and a larger front stablizer bar. The rear bar varied. It was either a 26 with the 91 spec front spring or a 24 with the 92-95 spec front spring. For autocrossing, you want the 91 spring and the 26 mm bar. Actually, regardless of the front spring rate, you want the 26 to loosen the car up.

Z07 also included front lower control arms with special bushings that were harder than base. Unfortunately, those arms were never serviced and only installed at the factory. The only way to get a good set would be off a low-mileage wreck equipped with either Z51 or Z07.

FE7 was never available alone. It was always combined with other options. For MY95 it was paired with FX3.

To run the 9.5 wheel, you'd have to add the FE7 parts. If shocks are free then you don't need to add all the FX3 electronics and shocks. I'd start with some double-adjustable Konis and work from there.

Thanks for your help!

Under SCCA rules in stock classes, springs and rear sway bars must be stock for that year. Shocks and front bars are free. It looks like both FE1 & Z07 rear bars are 24 mm on a 95. My next step will be Konis, and I am considering changing to a Z07 setup if I can find the parts at a reasonable cost. However, it would need to be a complete Z07 setup less the front bar and shocks.

Someone told me that Z07 included a quicker steering box. Can you confiirm or deny that?

Thanks again!

 

[Toms007]

Yea, Bill I believe that is correct. I forgot about that. My steering is very "precise".

 

[Hib Halverson]

No Z07 had the quick rack. Use of it in production ended in 1989.

Just because front bars are free, I would stick with the OE bar for Z07. If you rules-restricted to the 95 springs and rear bar, going any larger on the front bar will make the car too tight for autocross. Bar rate changes with the square of the diameter, so even a small change in front bar will unbalance the car. If you increase front roll stiffness, you need to do the same (or even more) in the rear but since you're stuck with the stock rear spring and stab bar, you're pretty limited.

 

[billday]

Yeah, I may have confused two conversations. The other conversation was what I could do in SCCA's Street Prepared class, where update/backdate is acceptable throughout the C4 generation.

Thanks again!