1985 Corvette

I have found a 1984 Z51 front leaf spring I was thinking about purchasing in regards to lowering the overall ride height some on the 85'. The front lowering kit didn't pan out so well with the base front leaf spring. I didn't notice a change in the height. I have done a little research on interchangeability and it looks like the 84-87 are all to themselves as far as the front spring goes. Who's running the 84 Z51 front spring on the street? How harsh is it really? I have a feeling I would be very happy with it, so long as it allowed for a little more drop on the height.

WVZR-1

1 old for another old? I don't know that it would be worth the aggravation. You should have I would have thought been able to control the height with a kit. There are way to many "IF's" that I doubt I'd want to work with.

Good luck !!

blackozvet

The BMB Z51 front spring is 580 lbs, it will actually lift your front end up.
You will have to shave the rubber ends to get the front end down, but you wont get that slammed look. But it will be a good height for suspension geometry.
google pics of the corvette scca/challenge cars from 84 - 87 and you will see how high they sit in the front end, they were using the BMB with shaved ends.

The BMB spring is very streetable, make sure you use a good adjustable shock. I was using a 5 way single adjustable gas shock with it set at 3 on the front.

1985 Corvette

Hmmm, I can possibly revisit the soft base spring then? I do still have the rubber pads in place on the spring ends which rest in the lower A arms. Guess I can try removing those.

88BlackZ-51

Do u have the lowering bolts? Think they are $40 dollars.

blackozvet

yes, you can do that instead if you want to keep the softer spring rate.

You can cut the rubber pad down to almost the spring itself. I found the hacksaw to be the best, just be careful and do it slowly.
Also in the 85 there is a pair of plates in the spring to chassis brackets you can get rid off.

1984Z51auto

You might get low enough for you just by ditching the mounting plates mentioned above. The trouble with this is its trial and error. You have to reassemble the car after each change or you will go too far.

v8vette84

I have an 84' Z51 and I have never noticed the car to be too harsh. Granted I have not driven a later C4 but the 84' ride is stiff but not unbearable to me. I'm also 25 if that makes any difference. I like how it feels, stiff and tight like a sports car should be.

I always read that new 84' Z51 owners complained about the ride being WAY TOO HARSH but they must have been 70+ years old and should have been driving a cadillac if they wanted a soft ride. It made no sense to me... Order/pay extra for a Performance handling package then complain it's too stiff... Seems stupid to me...

1984Z51auto

I have owned an 84 Z51 and a 96 Collectors Edition 'vert. The difference in ride quality is significant with the 96 a much better cruiser on the rough roads Colorado is plagued with. Handling wise, on a smooth surface the 84 Z51 had faster turn in, less cornering lean and faster steering (due to fast rack & pinion). Overall, the 96 base suspension is a better street driver and the 84 is a better parking lot auto-crosser, kind of what they were built for.

Not yet 70!