rough riding c2, help
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 18
From: cooper city florida
If you want a smooth comfortable ride, just put on the cheapest Monroe, or Gabriel passenger car shocks that fit your car. They have a softer valving. I had a set of KYB GR2's on my car and hated them. They rode very stiff, and I took them off and put a set of AC Delco shocks on...... they are much better, but still a little on the stiff side. Can you tell what shocks you have now?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
monroe in front
If you want a smooth comfortable ride, just put on the cheapest Monroe, or Gabriel passenger car shocks that fit your car. They have a softer valving. I had a set of KYB GR2's on my car and hated them. They rode very stiff, and I took them off and put a set of AC Delco shocks on...... they are much better, but still a little on the stiff side. Can you tell what shocks you have now?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,004
Likes: 1,509
From: Prescott Arizona
The rear leaf spring should have a slight arch to it, it shouldn't be flat. If you're not that familiar with Corvette suspensions, maybe another local Forum Member who is familiar could stop by to give it a look over.
One other thing to ask, since you said the Cokers were new, have you checked the air pressure lately? Most shops overinflate new tires to make sure the bead seats well but they might have forgotten to drop the pressure afterwards. Easy thing to double check.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
One other thing to ask, since you said the Cokers were new, have you checked the air pressure lately? Most shops overinflate new tires to make sure the bead seats well but they might have forgotten to drop the pressure afterwards. Easy thing to double check.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 455
From: Texas
Okay, that looks like a 7 leaf which should have a 15/16" front sway bar for the F41. Check that first to know what you have. As mentioned this set up will be stiffer and will require at least rear shocks with more rebound control as they came from the factory.
I drive race cars and Porsche's daily so I like stiff suspensions but ones that are under control. I have a 7 leaf on the rear of my 64 street car with Koni adjustable's to control rebound and 460# front springs with Bilstien HD's. Sounds screwed up I know but a lot of experimenting and I cut the front springs with longer rear bolts to lower the car in the rear. What I ended up with is a solid feeling suspension with no bounce. The bounce was driving me crazy. It handles RR crossings and normal stuff well although wash board stuff I have not encountered but this is a big improvement from worn out KYB's and an old 9 leaf spring the car came with. The entire car feels more solid and really not like a 64 anymore. Good luck with yours but this should give you something to think about. You went from smooth to stiff in your posts so I'm not sure what your goal is?
Steve
I drive race cars and Porsche's daily so I like stiff suspensions but ones that are under control. I have a 7 leaf on the rear of my 64 street car with Koni adjustable's to control rebound and 460# front springs with Bilstien HD's. Sounds screwed up I know but a lot of experimenting and I cut the front springs with longer rear bolts to lower the car in the rear. What I ended up with is a solid feeling suspension with no bounce. The bounce was driving me crazy. It handles RR crossings and normal stuff well although wash board stuff I have not encountered but this is a big improvement from worn out KYB's and an old 9 leaf spring the car came with. The entire car feels more solid and really not like a 64 anymore. Good luck with yours but this should give you something to think about. You went from smooth to stiff in your posts so I'm not sure what your goal is?
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
maybe it is what it is
The rear leaf spring should have a slight arch to it, it shouldn't be flat. If you're not that familiar with Corvette suspensions, maybe another local Forum Member who is familiar could stop by to give it a look over.
One other thing to ask, since you said the Cokers were new, have you checked the air pressure lately? Most shops overinflate new tires to make sure the bead seats well but they might have forgotten to drop the pressure afterwards. Easy thing to double check.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
One other thing to ask, since you said the Cokers were new, have you checked the air pressure lately? Most shops overinflate new tires to make sure the bead seats well but they might have forgotten to drop the pressure afterwards. Easy thing to double check.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
double checked
Okay, that looks like a 7 leaf which should have a 15/16" front sway bar for the F41. Check that first to know what you have. As mentioned this set up will be stiffer and will require at least rear shocks with more rebound control as they came from the factory.
I drive race cars and Porsche's daily so I like stiff suspensions but ones that are under control. I have a 7 leaf on the rear of my 64 street car with Koni adjustable's to control rebound and 460# front springs with Bilstien HD's. Sounds screwed up I know but a lot of experimenting and I cut the front springs with longer rear bolts to lower the car in the rear. What I ended up with is a solid feeling suspension with no bounce. The bounce was driving me crazy. It handles RR crossings and normal stuff well although wash board stuff I have not encountered but this is a big improvement from worn out KYB's and an old 9 leaf spring the car came with. The entire car feels more solid and really not like a 64 anymore. Good luck with yours but this should give you something to think about. You went from smooth to stiff in your posts so I'm not sure what your goal is?
Steve
I drive race cars and Porsche's daily so I like stiff suspensions but ones that are under control. I have a 7 leaf on the rear of my 64 street car with Koni adjustable's to control rebound and 460# front springs with Bilstien HD's. Sounds screwed up I know but a lot of experimenting and I cut the front springs with longer rear bolts to lower the car in the rear. What I ended up with is a solid feeling suspension with no bounce. The bounce was driving me crazy. It handles RR crossings and normal stuff well although wash board stuff I have not encountered but this is a big improvement from worn out KYB's and an old 9 leaf spring the car came with. The entire car feels more solid and really not like a 64 anymore. Good luck with yours but this should give you something to think about. You went from smooth to stiff in your posts so I'm not sure what your goal is?
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
I think the goal is
Okay, that looks like a 7 leaf which should have a 15/16" front sway bar for the F41. Check that first to know what you have. As mentioned this set up will be stiffer and will require at least rear shocks with more rebound control as they came from the factory.
I drive race cars and Porsche's daily so I like stiff suspensions but ones that are under control. I have a 7 leaf on the rear of my 64 street car with Koni adjustable's to control rebound and 460# front springs with Bilstien HD's. Sounds screwed up I know but a lot of experimenting and I cut the front springs with longer rear bolts to lower the car in the rear. What I ended up with is a solid feeling suspension with no bounce. The bounce was driving me crazy. It handles RR crossings and normal stuff well although wash board stuff I have not encountered but this is a big improvement from worn out KYB's and an old 9 leaf spring the car came with. The entire car feels more solid and really not like a 64 anymore. Good luck with yours but this should give you something to think about. You went from smooth to stiff in your posts so I'm not sure what your goal is?
Steve
I drive race cars and Porsche's daily so I like stiff suspensions but ones that are under control. I have a 7 leaf on the rear of my 64 street car with Koni adjustable's to control rebound and 460# front springs with Bilstien HD's. Sounds screwed up I know but a lot of experimenting and I cut the front springs with longer rear bolts to lower the car in the rear. What I ended up with is a solid feeling suspension with no bounce. The bounce was driving me crazy. It handles RR crossings and normal stuff well although wash board stuff I have not encountered but this is a big improvement from worn out KYB's and an old 9 leaf spring the car came with. The entire car feels more solid and really not like a 64 anymore. Good luck with yours but this should give you something to think about. You went from smooth to stiff in your posts so I'm not sure what your goal is?
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
You have a rock-hard F41 rear spring - get an Eaton-Detroit 9-leaf.
Put a full set of AC-Delco, Gabriel, or Monroe standard shocks on it.
Don't know what front springs you have, but you don't want any spring that has "460" in its description.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 455
From: Texas
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
drag clamps?
The 7 leaf is not built for that. I would recommend like others have a 9 leaf rear and Bilstein HD shocks that offer a little more control than the cheaper ones. But bounce is going to be more prominent if that doesn't bother you. Could drag the muffler clamps on big longer bumps too with this set up from my experience.
Steve
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,696
Likes: 3,683
From: Central Arkansas
Without knowing your past experiences with older cars - if you haven't owned a convertible sports car from back in the 50s and 60s, they were not exactly known for their rock-solid design and construction. Some body movement, cowl shake and chatter is pretty much par for the course with these convertibles over rougher roads.
My BB coupe with standard suspension and older gas shocks actually rides very nice - just a bit bouncy in the back. But coupes are a little stiffer and with sidepipes and a bit of hearing loss, rattles are not an issue at all.
I can't see your coil springs in that one picture clearly. F41 front coils are spaced more widely apart and the wire diameter is greater. Standard coils have more coils and are more closely spaced - nearly touching on some well worn springs. I would also count the leafs in the rear spring. My car had a 10th spring leaf inserted in it when I first bought it to elevate the car - also made it ride harder. A 9 leaf spring should not be harsh riding unless maybe all the bushings and shocks are completely shot.
My BB coupe with standard suspension and older gas shocks actually rides very nice - just a bit bouncy in the back. But coupes are a little stiffer and with sidepipes and a bit of hearing loss, rattles are not an issue at all.
I can't see your coil springs in that one picture clearly. F41 front coils are spaced more widely apart and the wire diameter is greater. Standard coils have more coils and are more closely spaced - nearly touching on some well worn springs. I would also count the leafs in the rear spring. My car had a 10th spring leaf inserted in it when I first bought it to elevate the car - also made it ride harder. A 9 leaf spring should not be harsh riding unless maybe all the bushings and shocks are completely shot.
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,989
Likes: 455
From: Texas
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: mendocino ca
wide springs
Without knowing your past experiences with older cars - if you haven't owned a convertible sports car from back in the 50s and 60s, they were not exactly known for their rock-solid design and construction. Some body movement, cowl shake and chatter is pretty much par for the course with these convertibles over rougher roads.
My BB coupe with standard suspension and older gas shocks actually rides very nice - just a bit bouncy in the back. But coupes are a little stiffer and with sidepipes and a bit of hearing loss, rattles are not an issue at all.
I can't see your coil springs in that one picture clearly. F41 front coils are spaced more widely apart and the wire diameter is greater. Standard coils have more coils and are more closely spaced - nearly touching on some well worn springs. I would also count the leafs in the rear spring. My car had a 10th spring leaf inserted in it when I first bought it to elevate the car - also made it ride harder. A 9 leaf spring should not be harsh riding unless maybe all the bushings and shocks are completely shot.
My BB coupe with standard suspension and older gas shocks actually rides very nice - just a bit bouncy in the back. But coupes are a little stiffer and with sidepipes and a bit of hearing loss, rattles are not an issue at all.
I can't see your coil springs in that one picture clearly. F41 front coils are spaced more widely apart and the wire diameter is greater. Standard coils have more coils and are more closely spaced - nearly touching on some well worn springs. I would also count the leafs in the rear spring. My car had a 10th spring leaf inserted in it when I first bought it to elevate the car - also made it ride harder. A 9 leaf spring should not be harsh riding unless maybe all the bushings and shocks are completely shot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 18
From: cooper city florida
Bilstein HD are yellow shocks, with some light blue markings on them. They are a high end shock, which are excellent handling, but tend to be a little on the stiff side. If your Monroe's are blue, I believe that's their economy shock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
What tire pressurize are you running? If you are up at max inflation pressure as listed on the sidewall, usually 40-44 lbs, it is way too much and it will make the car ride hard.
Tom
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,004
Likes: 1,509
From: Prescott Arizona
Mike T - Prescott AZ
