C4 Suspension Overhaul Options

[WillC4]

Well, after taking a break from my vette for some time and focusing my research and efforts into my WRX. I have come to truely understand just how important suspension is.

In this case, I plan on overhauling my vette completely (Engine rebuild, trans rebuild, rear diff rebuild, Suspension overhaul).

What good is a 500HP / 500 ft-lbs car that is on suspension designed to handle 300HP/ 340 ft-lbs. Well, i have begun my research and would like opinions and thoughts from people here.

I was thinking of getting the sport suspension system from VBP: Vette Brakes and Products | Sport Ride Kit 1989-96 | Sport, Kit, Ride

Some sort of urethane master bushing kit is in order i assume as well. And a bigger rear sway bar, what is good size to go with that has good street manners?

Any other suggestions, hints, tips, reccomendations, blah blah?

 

[boomdriver]

...Just beware the marketing claims.

They all promise bullet-train stability but they don't have to drive the damn thing. These places sell these kits that are just horrid. All they do is make a car so miserably stiff that its too exhausting to drive.
They all promise 'track-like' or race car performance but they fail to mention that it causes the other components to wear prematurely and when it's no longer tight.....it's still uncomfortable.

They all warranty their product but thats not what it means to offer a 'satisfaction gaurentee'. Many won't even warranty for a 'customer installed' part...

Corvettes come ready to rock and do 90% of the 'tricks' that are ever going to be ask of it. The balance of handling/drivability/comfort will NOT get any better. You sacrifice the drivability and/or comfort dept every time.

The only 'upgrade' that comes to mind thats truely worth having would be a frame brace or eng compartment brace, only so I could take the roof panel off and not feel like I was driving a station wagon. Outside of that, I have complete confidence in my Z51 suspension and have driven my way out of many impossible situations. I've looped a C4 at 80mph and come out straight, I've had to emergency steer around something that fell off a truck and never lost control, and I've let go of the wheel and stomped the brake at freeway speeds to see what happened... Each time the car performed as expected. I think we assume that a factory design can always be improved upon..Thats often true with the typical car, not a Corvette.

Unless you're going to the track, you'll regret most so called "upgrades" to the suspension. Keep it simple, shocks, springs and SOME polyurethane bushings...not all. Having the suspension wear parts in good shape does just as much or more.
Adding hp means very little to change suspension needs in street cars. Thats dictated by weight and frame/steering geometry.

 

[93Rubie]

Given you have a 94 and pretty soft suspension, you could look at upgrading to a Z51 or Z07 factory suspension. Would offer total compatibility with the car and be thoughtfully tested. VBP does seem to have a good kit and I would look into them as well.

See the Corvette Action Center | Tech Center | Knowledgebase | C4 Corvette Suspension Chart

However, if you just want the power, and are not going to be at the road course or auto-x a stock setup will handle the power. Brakes and drive train would be areas of more upgrade need.

 

[WillC4]

I do alot of mountain road driving. I chose the sport suspension package at VBP because it seemed legit and seemed like a mild increase in stiffness and handling, but still maintains stock ride height and telemetry. Also, the bushings on my car, as far as i can tell are still original and in very poor condition and the ride feels sloppy. Im well aware of ride comfort and willing to sacrifice some of it. Im not interested in the overkill track suspension package that have super high spring rates and shocks. As far as circuit track racing or auto-x, there is potential for that down the road, but not frequent.

I definitely did consider brakes, in which i was thinking of the C-5 front brake kit, good pads, slotted (not drilled) rotors, SS brake lines and some good fluid. In no way im trying to go cheap. But i am trying to find good quality products at an affordable price, hence i refuse to use ebay or sites that i just cant trust.

 

[WhalePirot]

I like the ride of the Challenge specification Bilsteins my Z51 car's were factory redone to. The stockers.. no.

If you go to poly, plan to do regular lubrication; black need less than the red.

Others threads discuss new rubber vs poly. I find my car handles better after I lube the red poly; done every oil change.