CiCiC3

I have question about what changes came along in the suspensions of C3's during the 14 yr span? I think they were all very much the same with nothing major at all?

Easy Mike

Composite rear spring introduced in 1981 for the AT cars and used on all 82.

SwampeastMike

Still a steel spring in '81 and '82 with Gymkhana sport suspension package.

keithinspace

Interestingly enough, the transverse fiberglass leaf spring is still utilized in the current C7 production car, front and rear. While the "stuff" around the spring has changed over the years, the principal of the rear suspension is amazingly similar then to now.

Guess it wasn't such an awful idea.

So...to answer your question...the C3 suspension was not only essentially unchanged from 1968 to 1982 (the change to a 'batwing' rear end did not alter the rear suspension), this is an exceedingly similar setup to the C2 Corvette from 1963 to 1967.

To the untrained eye, the chassis that underlies any Corvette from 1963 to 1982 would appear virtually identical. Pretty amazing.

terry82

front springs big block, small block

7T1vette

Spring rates, monoleaf rear spring (later C3's), changes in shock absorber design and rates (all were hydraulic, I believe), tires went from bias-ply to radials [that's a BIG change], vehicle weight and weight ratio [front to back] differences over those 14 years. The frame and suspension design was basically the same except for those differences.

CiCiC3

Thanks for all the responses...I'm considering buying another year C3 and wanted to know if I could expect the same ride performance from all of them basically.

7T1vette

Shock and spring rate differences can have pronounced effects on ride quality. Later C3's were smoother and softer riding, as GM wanted to move away from the 'power sports' vehicle and toward the 'luxury sports' vehicle.

ANY C3 that recieves four new Bilstein shocks is a different car.

CiCiC3

I'm looking online at 80-82's so that helps understanding them. My '74 still has the original front coils and rear leaf has 20 yrs since repair work. I don't want the ride height to change but need to get back to original strength of suspension most likely though. Thanks.

jb78L-82

The 63-83 suspension and frames are basically the same overall design with some minor differences. The good news is that any C3 can be made into whatever you desire in terms of ride comfort or handling since there are so many aftermarket parts available to convert to your taste. For example, take any base suspension C3 that you want to convert to a gymkhana suspension type car:

Front 550 springs, 360 composite
Bilstein Shocks (HD/Sports) or like I have, HD's in front with Sports in the rear
1 1/8 inch front sway bar (78-82's)/7/16 inch rear sway bar (SB...BB had a 9/16 inch rear sway bar)
255/60/15 or similar tires

Next level suspension:

Add a front spreader bar
Rear competition adjustable Heim struts
17/18 inch rims with ZR tires
QA1 adjustable shocks
Borgenson Steering box
Poly sway bar bushings
Poly upper and lower control arm bushings

lvmyvt76

you can change parts easily.(some are harder) rust is your enemy.

BlackC3vette

The 80 year has some changes from the earlier years. Depending on your plans, it comes with a single exhaust that splits out at the rear. If you want true dual, the 4 speed has the bolted in tranny cross member that can be replaced with an earlier stock member for the dual setup. I am not sure if the automatic cross member is a bolt in. I think it is because while looking for a new cross member, I found them for the automatic, but not for the standard tranny. The 80 rear diff has the bat wing setup, steel spring, aluminum diff housing and a front diff mount that makes it crazy difficult to replace the front pinion seal without pulling the rear. Some say you can do it on a lift, I don't have a lift in my garage.

doctorgene

I used the front & rear factory sway bar, with Poly bushings. The Borgenson box, with spreader bar. Aluminum upper A-arms, sets caster in about minus 5. or was it the camber. Bilstein H. D. Shocks front & rear. 460 # front springs & a 360 # rear Composite spring, & adjustable Heim joint struts with 8" bolts to adjust height. I now can go a ninety miles an hour with out it Wandering off the road. When I started I just added a non-factory heavy sway bar, it almost swayed me off the road. so be careful with what you add. Gene

CiCiC3

My biggest fear is a sudden dip on the freeway and then scraping the collector portion of the headers. Don't want to go with a composite leaf because I really need that extra weight to help keep it balanced and the back-end on the ground. Sometimes on circular freeway on and off ramps I can feel the back wanting to pull out if I'm driving the ramp hard. I don't know about changing the sway bar, most mention just going to performance bushings and am not sure how much that would affect the sway handling. Probably will have to experiment a little.

rayluka

I switched to the sharkbite.. and steeroids in front still fine tuning. A little too rough still. Just need to adjust the QA1's

gkull

beginning in 1978 the frames were stiffened up, larger diameter shocks, 24 gallon gas tank, better high back seats, and 255 width tires. The rounded rear window makes for useable cargo area.

I don't feel safe in stock c-3 corvettes. They are not a sports car. highly modded suspensions actually make them a pleasure to drive.

You can actually put 25 gallons in my 1979 and it is so nice to not have to worry about a next gas station for 500 miles on a trip

Franks73

Hello Sir. Thanks for all the great input you bring to this forum. I installed longer leaf spring bolts to lower the ride height, and even cut the bolts an inch because they were so close to the ground. Would the QA1 adjustable shocks be a better way to adjust the rear height, and allow a shorter bolt, like the original 8" bolt? Thanks, Frank.

CiCiC3

I agree the flat back window is not safe and you really need air-bags in such cramped quarters. I have no head clearance basically but I still drive it a lot anyway. Improving the suspension would help safety issues a great deal.

cobrachuck

I agree here with Gkull I just bought a 65 Coupe very nice car all stock suspension, but it handles poorly or sub standard,
I will replace with heaver springs & Bilstein HD shocks
Chuck

jb78L-82

Unfortunately Frank, shocks will not do much to address the ride height issue on their own. Coil over shocks in place of the transverse leaf spring would change the ride height but that involves a basic suspension design change. Changing the transverse leaf to one like VBP composite in my experience allows more "normal ride" height than some others like the TRW composite. You might have to source a different rear spring...