Best upgrades
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 331
Likes: 1
From: ny
Best upgrades
As in my other post, I'm looking at a 63' rolling chassis. What are the best handling and steering upgrades I can do if I buy this before I start building the rest of the car? Any recommendations?
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,271
Re: Best upgrades (james75)
If you are interested in best handling, you need to start with tires that have the best handling potential. I've heard there's a good tire article in the current issue of the Corvette Restorer. ;)
Next, restore the chassis to "blueprint" stock condition using proper OEM or equivalent replacement parts. "Blueprint" stock means you select specifications within the OEM tolerance range that will result in best performance of the subject part or system, such as the steering gear.
Upon completion, some chassis tuning to optimize handling and limit handling behavior can pay big dividends - like running about -1 degree camber, front and rear, and toe-in of about 1/16" (front and rear) with modern radial tires. In particular, you need to ensure that the total rear toe is equally divided between both wheels.
As far as modifications - non OEM parts in the suspension - my only recommendation is to use hard urethane bushings in the front anti-roll bar links and adjustable shocks such as Spax, so you can tune the rebound damping to your particular driving habits and preference.
Duke
Next, restore the chassis to "blueprint" stock condition using proper OEM or equivalent replacement parts. "Blueprint" stock means you select specifications within the OEM tolerance range that will result in best performance of the subject part or system, such as the steering gear.
Upon completion, some chassis tuning to optimize handling and limit handling behavior can pay big dividends - like running about -1 degree camber, front and rear, and toe-in of about 1/16" (front and rear) with modern radial tires. In particular, you need to ensure that the total rear toe is equally divided between both wheels.
As far as modifications - non OEM parts in the suspension - my only recommendation is to use hard urethane bushings in the front anti-roll bar links and adjustable shocks such as Spax, so you can tune the rebound damping to your particular driving habits and preference.
Duke
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 28
From: CA central coast
Re: Best upgrades (james75)
I'll second what SWC Duke said...
I once aspired (in the late 50's/early 60's) to be a vehicle project engineer at Chevrolet Engineering, a coveted position, but circumstances and Uncle Sam intervened and changed my priorities and I never went back to Chevy. While working there in the labs, I was in awe of the moxy, sweat equity, vast experience, and exhaustive tweaking and testing those design & development engineers put into every vehicle, not just the Corvette, and they even had Zora himself shepherding the Corvette. So I shake my head in amazement that so many Corvette owners seem to feel the Chevy engineers were dunces, and that they know how to do it better. Yes, I know, there undoubtedly were some compromises made in the name of cost-saving or comfortable street ride (like shock absorbers and rubber bushings) but relatively few.... by and large, they got it right the first time.
I once aspired (in the late 50's/early 60's) to be a vehicle project engineer at Chevrolet Engineering, a coveted position, but circumstances and Uncle Sam intervened and changed my priorities and I never went back to Chevy. While working there in the labs, I was in awe of the moxy, sweat equity, vast experience, and exhaustive tweaking and testing those design & development engineers put into every vehicle, not just the Corvette, and they even had Zora himself shepherding the Corvette. So I shake my head in amazement that so many Corvette owners seem to feel the Chevy engineers were dunces, and that they know how to do it better. Yes, I know, there undoubtedly were some compromises made in the name of cost-saving or comfortable street ride (like shock absorbers and rubber bushings) but relatively few.... by and large, they got it right the first time.
