RBbugBITme

The issue is spring to control arm clearance at full droop with less than a 1" drop in ride height. You could add a droop limiter to keep them from hitting. I think the point here is we have everything needed now to run a non adjust to 4-way adjustable damper from stock ride height to as low as you want to go. Some minor sacrifices may be necessary for higher ride heights. We just need to know what the customer wants.

Roadrogue

Any current feedback/discussion on the Penske's? My interest is for stock ride height for street use on rough roads. I'm after more control but maintaining compliance on my base C7. Of course I'm likely to start with Z51 sways and I'm wondering if Z51 shocks would provide what I want or whether the upgrade to Penske's would be worth the cost. I doubt I need adjustability and I don't understand the value of coil overs compared to non-coil overs on a C7.

RBbugBITme

For you there probably is no benefit for coil springs. If you're looking for excellent road manors on an otherwise stock car the non-adjust shocks are a great option.

Since you're non-coilover you'll have the benefit of spherical bearing mounts without putting all of the spring load through the bearings and thereby extending the life/reducing maintenance.

We've also seen our shocks go as far as 30,000 miles between rebuilds but we recommend a minimum of once every two years. If you go to the track much then we recommend at least rebuilding once every year. Overtime the shims and oil will break down and the ride will be a bit more compliant but still night and day over stock shocks. Of course with Penskes you can custom tailor the tune each time you get them rebuilt based on your own feedback with the shock technician.

Chrisgordillo

I hate to say this guys. I'm sure u won't agree because you own c7's but I ended up lossing a lot of money on my car. I bought variant 3 kW coil overs for $4000 and even with dampening to all the way soft almost the spring rate was still to stiff for me. So I sold my 700hp supercharged Vette for way less than I paid for it. The base models suspension is complete junk for a sports car. I knew I wanted the z51 package with magnetic ride control but the supercharged power blinded me. Oh well. U live and learn.

FormulaRedline

Is this some sort of troll post? What do dampers have to do with spring rates? The whole point of a coilover is to be able to use the spring rates you want. Why didn't you just order $80 of softer springs instead of selling your car?

Chrisgordillo

Now it has to be a troll because I said something you don't like? I'm not mechanically inclined. All I know is I did not like the base suspension or the high end coil overs I put on. I got the coil overs put on properly as well.

RBbugBITme

I think he was just confused like me. You sold your car because a cheap part any mechanic could have replaced didn't perform like you hoped. Most people wouldn't handle the situation like you did hence the confusion.

FormulaRedline

Coilovers are shocks with spring perches attached, usually by threaded outer bodies for adjustability. You can fairly easily swap in different spring rates to fine tune the ride. For racers, they can put different spring rates in the front and rear to change the balance of the car, fixing understeer or oversteer issues or compensating for different tire widths. For street drivers, they can dial in exactly how stiff or compliant they want the ride to be. The springs that come stock should just be taken as a "suggestion" or starting point. Fairly substantial changes can be made before needing a revalve or different shocks.

I'm sorry your professional installers failed to mention this to you. That wasn't very professional of them and I wouldn't go back. The springs are the cheap part and a quick swap almost certainly would have solved your problem.

I'm angry on your behalf that this cost you your time, money, and car. In the future, find a shop that also knows how to setup it up. Any monkey with a wrench can bolt stuff on!

Chrisgordillo

U don't understand!!!!!! Nothing was broken! I just didn't like the stiff ride of the coilovers!!!!!
And the stock ride is way to floaty for my taste.

RBbugBITme

It is quite clear you don't understand. Oh well its over you don't have the car anymore.

Chrisgordillo

I understand that the expensive coilovers are to harsh and that base suspension is to soft. I don't need to b a mechanic. To each his own.

RBbugBITme

Like I said before if you don't like how it handles...
That applies to almost every aftermarket shock available for Corvettes.

Chrisgordillo

If the spring rate on the coilovers is to stiff no matter what setting u put it at you are going to feel the bumps. Trust me. I had it professionally installed and we tweaked it several times. If the road had no bumps what so ever like a highway it was ok but other than that I was not satisfied. I'm saying this to warn people.

RBbugBITme

We're trying to explain that you can buy new springs too! They about $80 each...

Chrisgordillo

That's what i should have done. U live and learn.

Chrisgordillo

It just boggles my mind that Chevrolet can make the base so floaty. What were they thinking??!!!!!

4GS7

Should've bought a Z51.

Floaty is a function of shocks, not springs.

John Ulrich

They built it for my taste. I like floaty, it's a street car for me, no track activity for me.

Chrisgordillo

I'm glad you like yours John.
Everyone has different taste. That's what makes the world a great place!

Higgs Boson

Z51 shocks are cheap and available.