Anyone have Coil Overs on a C-4

[WhalePirot]

I've read the hype and need some real-world input, hopefull including what you switched FROM and some specifics.

My Z-51 rear spring has sagged and is junk, rpobably due to heating from the nearby 3" exhaust pipes. I am considering switching to the coil over springs and shocks. I have a Guldstrand spring that I will use in the interim, but am concerned that it will similarly fail.

I find it amusing that monoleaf kits are available for C-3s and coil over kits are out for the monoleaf cars.

Rippie campaigned one hell of a car, but did the coil-overs make the diff over the monoleafs or was it his driving, etc.?

Please fill me in with some honest, no-bull experience with the conversions y'all have done; Good and BAD.

Thanks in advance and after reading (I editted my original post).


Mike

 

[Ken]

Mike, I haven't gone that route (yet ), but there's a guy who lurks here all the time that finally got his ZR-1 suspension dialed-in and simply loves it. If we could get him to register I'm sure he could provide some excellent feedback.

Ya hear that Bob R.? :L

Good luck Mike and take your time learning all you can about it first or it can be a headache.

_ken

 

[*89x2*]

I have a set that came on my Callaway Supernatural Corvette.
No Bull, hands down best!!!!
Read more here>>> (w/ pics)http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25256

 

[WhalePirot]

Thanks for the (limited) feedback. Guess few run them.

The spring had cracked in the center, under the diff. Luckily I had the Guldstrand srping to replace this stock Z-51. It had let the car down onto the bumpers.

Rides a bit nicer, too, while cornering as well as the BFG Comp T/As will allow.

 

[RMSVMAX]

Callaway suspension woes...

I have a set that came on my Callaway Supernatural Corvette.
No Bull, hands down best!!!!
Read more here>>> (w/ pics)http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25256

I have a 92 Callaway Supernatural convertible, & have had nothing but headaches with the coilovers in the last couple years...

Broke 2 rear shock rods,
& have flattened the upper bushings on all 4 corners,
(I mean flattened to the point of nearly 'squishing' them out...)
all in less then 2k miles...

I AM an aggressive driver, & do slide the car quite a bit,
but all on street rubber, & have never come in contact with any curbing/large potholes/ etc.,...
& the wheels have NEVER left the ground at any time during 'flights'...

Any thoughts?

I HATE to scrap a VERY expensive setup, but to be honest, the more I look at those Bilstien shocks, the spindlier they are looking to me...

I DON'T need a big name; I have plenty to talk about already...lol
What I AM looking for, is the best bang for the buck.

THANX in advance for any help!

'Lil' John
:confused

 

[93Rubie]

Unless, you are a very serious auto-x or road racer and good at it, nothing is to be gained from coil-overs compared to the stock suspension. Other than the because you can factor.

 

[vetteoz]

Unless, you are a very serious auto-x or road racer and good at it, nothing is to be gained from coil-overs compared to the stock suspension.

Guys run coil overs for the suspension tuning adjustment they give;
allowing quick changes to suit different tracks or varying conditions
Plenty of parts available to tune stock suspension to your normal street driving requirements

 

[RMSVMAX]

Unless, you are a very serious auto-x or road racer and good at it, nothing is to be gained from coil-overs compared to the stock suspension. Other than the because you can factor.

I have had both type suspensions on C4s, & can feel the diff;
it is not substantial, but it is there...
The ride is not as harsh either.

That being said, it would be tough to justify the $$$ for a street application...The coilovers came on the Callaway I bought.

I did some more checking, & found that the Callaway coilover suspension is in actuality just a set of springs & collars fitted over standard Bilstien/AC shocks...Would like to find a beefier alternative to these, adjustability within the shock would be a plus.

Again, Thanx in advance for any advice/help on this.

John;help

 

[vetteoz]

.Would like to find a beefier alternative to these, adjustability within the shock would be a plus.

Mo's Coilovers

Corvette Forum - View Single Post - QA1 Coilovers
Corvette Forum - View Single Post - QA1 Coilovers

 

[RMSVMAX]

Mo's Coilovers

Corvette Forum - View Single Post - QA1 Coilovers
Corvette Forum - View Single Post - QA1 Coilovers

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

These shocks are 2/3rd the price that Bilstien charged just to rebuild the last time...& MUCH BETTER QUALITY.

I like the spring rate (think they are Hypcos...)
so will use them on the new shocks.

Again, THANK YOU for your help here!

John :W

 

[jonszr1]

for what it is worth ,i have 2 zr1s a 90 with the stk suspension and a callaway 475super natural that came with coilovers. both are nice but unless you are a serious autocrosser or want to adjust the ride height way easier i wouldnt do it .there are way better ways to spend 2+k on your car . plus it wont help[ the resale value much if any .jmho

 

[93Rubie]

Would like to find a beefier alternative to these, adjustability within the shock would be a plus.

That is why my car is FX3 equipped.

 

[LT4_UK]

Friend of mine has Doug Rippie Coil Overs

on his 90 ZR-1. The car is quite noticeably lowered and also has urethane bushes everywhere.

I'd say the ride is firmer than my 96 Z51 but is still pretty liveable.

He has had this setup for about 2 years with no problems.

Cornering he reckons is improved over stock though his car still is influenced by seams in the road and shudders over bumps pretty much the same as with the stock leafs.

I'm still not convinced if it's worth the change - maybe I should take another ride in the Z!

Malc

 

[vetteoz]

Friend of mine has Doug Rippie Coil Overs on his 90 ZR-1.
I'd say the ride is firmer than my 96 Z51

Not a good comparison
Spring rate on your '96 Z51 is the 2nd softest ever fitted to any C4
Only softer suspension was '96 base ( FE1 ) and 94/95 FX3
See

http://www.idavette.net/hib/c4/sustunch.pdf

 

[LT4_UK]

96 z51

Not a good comparison
Spring rate on your '96 Z51 is the 2nd softest ever fitted to any C4
Only softer suspension was '96 base ( FE1 ) and 94/95 FX3
See

http://www.idavette.net/hib/c4/sustunch.pdf

Wow I was wondering why a "competition suspension" was so soft. Now I know!

Still wouldn't mint it a bit softer on our awful roads though...

Malc

 

[roger longman]

Wow I was wondering why a "competition suspension" was so soft. Now I know!

Still wouldn't mint it a bit softer on our awful roads though...

Malc

Hi Malc, I'm a purley, Croydon, transplant. Mine has stock suspension and it doesn't like the roads here either. How the hell do you get insurance for it over there.?.....Roger.

 

[motorman]

I have a 92 Callaway Supernatural convertible, & have had nothing but headaches with the coilovers in the last couple years...

Broke 2 rear shock rods,
& have flattened the upper bushings on all 4 corners,
(I mean flattened to the point of nearly 'squishing' them out...)
all in less then 2k miles...

I AM an aggressive driver, & do slide the car quite a bit,
but all on street rubber, & have never come in contact with any curbing/large potholes/ etc.,...
& the wheels have NEVER left the ground at any time during 'flights'...

Any thoughts?

I HATE to scrap a VERY expensive setup, but to be honest, the more I look at those Bilstien shocks, the spindlier they are looking to me...

I DON'T need a big name; I have plenty to talk about already...lol
What I AM looking for, is the best bang for the buck.

THANX in advance for any help!

'Lil' John
:confused

sounds like the car is lowered too much by lowering the spring preload and the coil overs are bottoming out. i have seen this happen before on coil over C-4s