Front Suspension Upgrade

[groovyjay]

As far as adjustably of the spring rate, and the ease with which you can raise of lower the ride height, the use of the transverse fiberglass spring, will by far make these tasks much faster and easier, then with any type of coil/over suspension.

regards
Bob

a.k.a. Stepinwolf

In real life most of the C2 drivers will set their suspension once to the desired height and set the spring setting to the one they like the most (Race, hard or semi-hard.). I like to play with the springs and setting a lot, I found that with the big block I still like to have the spring in the softest setting and the suspension as low as possible.

As far as the front suspension tuning goes I like the coil overs alot more than the leaf spring. The leaf spring is very limited in terms of adjustability. Although it provides couple of different settings for most people to find their "optimal" settings, with the double adjustable coil overs you can play with both the compression and rebound by just clicking the knob, takes less than a second to do it! And if you really want to get to it, get few different sets of springs that you can use for different types of driving. I have different lb. rated springs for street and open road track.

But like I said, most people will just buy the kit have it installalled and alignments done and forget about it.

 

[stepinwolf]

Groovyjay,

It look's as though this thread is something we will never agree on, but that's what these Forums are all about.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against coil/over suspensions./ Héll, as it stands now, I am in the process of trying to purchase a complete front and rear late model suspension ( C4/C5 ), for the SRIII frame that I have just ordered, so I am well aware of the advantages of the coil/overs.

However, in this case ( 63 to 67 ) I think the conversion to the fiberglass spring is less expensive, easier to install and tune to your driving, than the coil overs.

Stepinwolf

 

[groovyjay]

Groovyjay,

It look's as though this thread is something we will never agree on, but that's what these Forums are all about.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against coil/over suspensions./ Héll, as it stands now, I am in the process of trying to purchase a complete front and rear late model suspension ( C4/C5 ), for the SRIII frame that I have just ordered, so I am well aware of the advantages of the coil/overs.

However, in this case ( 63 to 67 ) I think the conversion to the fiberglass spring is less expensive, easier to install and tune to your driving, then the coil overs.

Stepinwolf

You said it best, although I'm not sure if it really is the cheaper alternative here (just had to say that :L )

 

[groovyjay]

AND DO KEEP US POSTED ON THAT SRIII Project!!!

 

[groovyjay]

This http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=514

plus these:

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=518

and you are pretty much talking about same numbers as the JMRP front kit which comes with new coil over shocks...

 

[stepinwolf]

Try this on

This http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=514

plus these:

http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=518

and you are pretty much talking about same numbers as the JMRP front kit which comes with new coil over shocks...

Groovyjay

If you go back and look carefully at the beginning of the original thread, nowhere was there any mention of replacing the complete front suspension but rather only the front Springs.

As such, all that is needed is to choose the correct replacement spring package http://www.vbandp.com/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=42129, and the cost, in the very least, should be less then half of what the JMRP front upgrade works out to.

(just had to say that :L )

Stepinwolf

 

[groovyjay]

Groovyjay

If you go back and look carefully at the beginning of the original thread, nowhere was there any mention of replacing the complete front suspension but rather only the front Springs.

As such, all that is needed is to choose the correct replacement spring package http://www.vbandp.com/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=42129, and the cost, in the very least, should be less then half of what the JMRP front upgrade works out to.

(just had to say that :L )

Stepinwolf

You win!

 

[JohnZ]

John, what QA1 coil overs are you using at the rear? Part numebr? What #lb springs did you go with? I have the JMRP front suspension I'll be putting on the GS soon.

I'm not sure - the car is being built by Jerry Clark in Florida; will no doubt require spring tuning once it's driveable.

 

[groovyjay]

I'm not sure - the car is being built by Jerry Clark in Florida; will no doubt require spring tuning once it's driveable.

Thanks John, if you ever find out let me know

 

[groovyjay]

Van Steel makes the pieces to use coil-overs on the C2 rear; that's what we're using on the "King Rat" project car for Carlisle this year.

Since we don't get the CE or any other Corvette magazines here in this god forsaken place, could you tell me what pieces did you get from Van Steel for your rear coil over conversion? New lower shock mounts? Any detailed pictures? I couldn't find anything from their website. With the stock "lower mounting it will definately spin in the groove, not nearly strong enough it's dead from the git go"


TIA
Jay

 

[TLeBlanc]

Thanks for the input everyone. I ordered the QA1 Front Coilover Kit yesterday....anxiously awaiting their arrival. Will give an update once installed on how I like them.

 

[stepinwolf]

You win!

You see Groovyjay, TLeBlanc went for the coil overs, so I didn't win after all.

Stepinwolf

 

[groovyjay]

You see Groovyjay, TLeBlanc went for the coil overs, so I didn't win after all.

Stepinwolf

The real winner here is TLeBlanc

 

[stepinwolf]

The real winner here is TLeBlanc

No, I still don't agree with his choice, so I guess the real winner here, is the compagny who sold him the coil/overs.

 

[TLeBlanc]

Thought I would update everyone on the results of this project. The QA1 Coilover kit has been installed. I replaced all the front suspension bushings with OEM Style Rubber. And the verdict is ......... I am really pleased with the ride. Now for the Positives and Negatives.

Positives

• The installation went well with no major problems. The only modification needed is knocking out the lower shock mount nuts on the lower A-arms.
• You would have to get down and look closely to see this modification.
• The QA1 shock adjustment is a breeze and can be done with nice clothes on.

Negatives

• The ride height adjustment is really the only negative I can speak of at this point. I have the adjustment nut backed off as far as I can go and it is about where it was with the original coil springs. So if you want to go lower, the VB&P Transverse Spring may allow you to do this.

Overall, I am very happy with the ride. I am now considering adding standard dual adjusting QA1 shocks to the rear. With the TRW Spring it still is a bit bouncy on the rebound for me, compression seems to be ok though. I currently have the Bilstein Sport Shocks on the rear.

 

[willyfast]

Can we breath new life in this thread?

I have a 66 big block w/F41. I'm now a lot older as is my car and I'm fed up with the harsh ride and no road clearance. I couldn't find where TLeBlanc ever said what suspension pkg his car was originally equipped with. I'm wondering how much improvement I'd get with standard springs & shocks. Also there have likely been vast improvements in the aftermarket that I'd sure relish hearing about. Hope I can get some help; if not I'll see if I can find my 1960's soap box derby car, it road better than the Vet.

 

[JohnZ]

I have a 66 big block w/F41. I'm now a lot older as is my car and I'm fed up with the harsh ride and no road clearance. I'm wondering how much improvement I'd get with standard springs & shocks.

Chances are your best bet to accomplish what you're after is standard production (or Monroe/Gabriel/Delco equivalent replacement) shocks, springs, and OEM rubber bushings. All the aftermarket stuff produces suspension/handling harshness.