Coil over shocks?

[hpbadger]

l saw an article in corvette fever mag I think...which suggested replacing springs with coil over shocks. Just curious if anyone has ever tried this and what shocks they used?

 

[JonM]

Corvette Fever used Bilstein's

Consider switching to coilover shocks. Here's a radical thought: Get rid of the transverse leaf springs and mount up coilover shocks. Bilstein makes coilover shocks that bolt right into the stock shock mounts (slight widening of the shock mount is required up front). With the high cost of replacement transverse leaf springs, this may not be as expensive a swap as you might think, and you can reduce the weight of the suspension by completely removing the leaf springs. Special bonus! With the coilovers, you can adjust the ride height of your Corvette for different tire and wheel packages in a matter of minutes. Try that with your leaf springs!

 

[tyrel]

I'm left wondering why anyone would do this. The fiberglass spring reacts much more quickly and is lighter than coils. The entire front suspension is built around the transverse spring.

 

[Vettelt193]

from a handling perspective, the leaf spring messes up the independence of each shock, as it ties the two sides together. Coil-overs are a better choice as it eliminates that. In many cases, the car will ride better and handle better.

 

[hpbadger]

from a handling perspective, the leaf spring messes up the independence of each shock, as it ties the two sides together. Coil-overs are a better choice as it eliminates that. In many cases, the car will ride better and handle better.

Besides removing the leaf springs I wonder what other modifications need to be done to make this work?

thanks!

 

[JonM]

Besides removing the leaf springs I wonder what other modifications need to be done to make this work?

thanks!

Here is the entire artical...nothing else "needs" to be done, but their are other suggestions here.
LINK

 

[Vettelt193]

Besides removing the leaf springs I wonder what other modifications need to be done to make this work?

thanks!

I cant think of anything else, besides the mount bushings... may as well replace them while you are in there

 

[redeasysport]

Do they have an auto-adjustable coil over for those of us with adjustable suspension.

 

[Vettelt193]

Do they have an auto-adjustable coil over for those of us with adjustable suspension.

I haven't heard of one... but you could always toss the FX3 anyway... coilovers are probably better than FX3. I know Callaway put them on the twin turbo cars

 

[*89x2*]

I have Coil over springs on my FX3 Callaway Corvette, replacing the transverse mounted springs.


- It was part of the car when constructed so I cannot tell you exactly what was done to the car for installation however I can tell you that there is a HUGE difference between this car and my other FX3 car and my other c4 as well - the COIL over equipped car "feels" better and I know that as far as side to side chatter over a bump, the suspension is now truly individual - I get some side to side chatter (feedback) w/ the stock springs in the other cars.

I was so impressed w/ the Callaway COIL over setup, I described the virtues and a fellow owner put it recently on his B2K - He has no regrets and feels the same about it as I do.

I hope this helps -

 

[*89x2*]

Do they have an auto-adjustable coil over for those of us with adjustable suspension.

My Callaway COIL over springs still utilize the Bilstiens w/ FX3

 

[Jeffvette]

I'm left wondering why anyone would do this. The fiberglass spring reacts much more quickly and is lighter than coils. The entire front suspension is built around the transverse spring.

Do you have any idea??

Coilovers improve ride quality, it improves you tracking through corners by eliminating any cross talking that leaf springs give you.

Those fiberglass leaf springs are not light. It is about a wash when going to Coilovers, as there is alot of additonal brackets and bolts that get removed as well when going to coilover set up.

You can retain the FX3 functions, DRM sells them as does Callaway. Best bet is to have the shocks revalved as well.

If you have never driven a car with Coilovers installed, why form a opinion?

I haven't heard of one... but you could always toss the FX3 anyway... coilovers are probably better than FX3.

:eyerole

 

[Coupe89]

I was like night and day. Big improvement on my car:
But at the same time the orginal spring was on the car also.

 

[Ken]

Nice setup, Todd! :cool

... why anyone would do this?

Adjustability is the main reason; you have an almost infinite ability to set your car up depending on track, road surface, and weather conditions.

The main drawback: getting it set up properly. You need to know what you're doing, or you need to know somebody who does. Even then, a lot of testing is involved before you find the sweet spot.

Another drawback is cost; the transverse spring setup is cheaper for the factory to install. If you want automatic adjustability, you're going to have to go to the exotics like Ferrari or something. Maybe Formula cars? :L

 

[Vettelt193]

My Callaway COIL over springs still utilize the Bilstiens w/ FX3

now that is just sweeeeeeeet.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

I have a spreadsheet at home that lists all the QA1 parts for a coil over set-up on a C4. so for NON-FX3 cars, you can get an adjustable shock..

Price is very close to the Bilstein set-up from Exotic Muscle and DRM. I don't remember the cost for Callaway's set-up

 

[WhalePirot]

My rear leaf already failed once, so......

I have been thinking about this and don't understand why the leaf would transfer anything from one side to the other. It is bolted such that each side acts independently, right?

Having revalved my Bilsteins to GS, with quite satisfactory effect, are they okay for the coil over setup?

Where does one go for the art of adjustment?