I'm new to the C3s and i haven't really pushed my 80 to see what it can do i was wondering where the sloppiness lies in the car in the front or the rear? i like the current geometry of the setup but im wondering where it lies so i can stiffen it up so it'll turn on a dime and give me change back.

 

Change out the bushings, shocks, rag joint, idler arm and maybe the springs. The car is 27 years old, most of that stuff is going to be very worn out, even just from age.

 

I have an '80 too, and it turns on a quarter and gives me change. If I wanted it to turn on a dime, I'd have to change the suspension to more of an autocross setup.

If you want your '80 to handle better, think about all the suspension parts that help transfer turning force to the rest of the car. If the bushings are original, they are probably cracked like mine were, start with them. That includes the sway bar, upper and lower A-arms and power steering bushings in the front, and trailing arm bushings in the back.

Surprisingly, replacing the trailing arm bushings was a big improvement. I didn't expect that because they are at the opposite end of the car from the "steering". I learned that a 4-wheel alignment job won't matter much if the rear wheels can move side to side because of worn trailing arm bushings. Now that I think about the whole car while turning, that makes sense. A lot of CF guys change the trailing arm bushings themselves. I didn't. I had a local Corvette shop completely rebuild them, install new u-joints, half shafts, etc.

Then think about all the parts that transfer steering wheel movement to the front wheels - rag joint, steering box, etc. I tinkered around with the stock steering setup for a few years and finally took the plunge and installed Steeroids.

I also replaced the 7-leaf Ghymkana rear spring with a lighter composite spring with the equivalent spring rate. I replaced the front coil springs with Ghymkana-equivalent coils too, but I didn't like the ride height. I switched to a front composite mono leaf spring that I can adjust for stiffness and ride height. Of course, with composite springs front and back, I switched to gas-charged shocks all around that can handle the increased responsiveness of the lighter springs.

PERFECT!! I have excellent handing and still have a comfortable ride.

 

If you want change back from your steering I agree with the others. I've rebuild my front end totally and there is still some slop in the steering. This is the way it came from the factory. You can turn the steering wheel a couple of inches in either direction without movement of the tires. My son hates that! If you want it like a new car you need Rack & Pinion steering.

 

I agree with all the others. Change all bushings in the front and the rag joint and idler arm.

However, if you are looking for the quick and easy solution, start by checking your idler arm and rag joint for play. They are easy to replace and that is where most of my problems came from.

Good luck