Stiffening the chassis on a 93' Vert.

[TommyT]

Hi all, I'm a new Vette owner (93' Vert. 35,000 miles) and was wondering a couple of things regarding the above topic. I don't have any complaints regarding my car but was curious about the x-brace and camber brace. Are the convertibles equipped with some form of these from the factory? It looks that way to me. Bear with me. I'm a convert from the Ford camp, so this is all new to me.

Thanks in advance for the responses.

TommyT

 

[Vettefan87]

Yes the xbrace is for structual rigidity. I am not sure about the camber brace. Coupes do not have xbraces. Welcome to ownership of Corvette's.

 

[vetteboy86]

As a matter of fact they offer an X brace for coupes, because the verts came with this from the factory. The camber brace is also an upgrade. Not sure if a hardtop would help or not. I know that when the Targa is out on the coupes they are not the same car, or so I have been told.

 

[Vis Croceus]

curious about the x-brace and camber brace. Are the convertibles equipped with some form of these from the factory?

The verts have a cross-brace from the factory, which is where the idea for the aftermarket one (from RD Racing) came from. A few people have replaced the factory brace with the aftermarket one because it is a better built piece.

I have the RDR camber brace and cross bar for my 94 vert. The camber brace makes the steering feel more solid especially in corners and it also makes the ride a lot more harsh. I had to take it off when I moved to PA because the ride is too harsh on these roads.

The cross bar made a huge difference in body rigidity. The only downside to it is that it makes access to the storage area more difficult. With it there you have to go in through the tonneau for all but the smallest items.

 

[6 Shooter]

My 96 LT4 Z51's suspension was stiff/firm with the targa top in, but when it was removed the frame shudder was unbelievable.

I have not ridden in a C4 convertible but I imagine the frame shudder in it is similar to a coupe with the targa removed.

Enjoy your C4, they are Great Corvettes even with a little frame shudder/flex.

BTW - Welcome to the

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[mfi]

I'm trying to get used to the ride of my 92 vert. I've never owned or driven anything that handles like this. I'm used to suv's and old GTO's. In stock form I feel it is stiff enough for any kind of driving I might do. I wouldn't want to add to it . My roads around town are terrible. Trying to listen to a cd is a joke. I'm thinking of devising some kind of spring mount to keep it from skipping every 10 seconds. These things are race cars tamed for the street. You're going to have a blast with it.

 

[tigmaned]

MFI

skipping CD's maybe time for new shocks?? it was the best moeny i ever spent!! i got some KYB's form corvettedymanics. for $105. she sits up a little higher and at take offs i don't feel the back end taking a dive anymore.
also for a stiffer ride, the factory X-brace for your rag top is a must, but you could get one of the aftermarket ones, they are made with thicker square tubing which would give a stiffer ride, and theres a brace for behind the seats too but not sure if thats just for us coupe guys??

 

[mfi]

I think the skipping is caused by the road conditions. They are unbelievably bad. You would think we took mortar fire. When I go to other states they are smooth as glass. It's one reason I own 2 SUV's.