How does your C3 handle?
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Joined: Jan 2007
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How does your C3 handle?
When ever I take a tight corner at speed the rear feels like it is STEERING around the corner as well. It doesn't get loose or make any squeeling noise. It kinda feels like it is floating around the corner and then I come out of the corner and it feels the same straightning out. My Vette stays flat and controlable except over med bumps or pot holes, then it gets a little upset.
It is a lot different then my 70 camaro. Both cars have new suspensions set up with a good alignment and new parts. My Vette is an 82 with a stock front end, rear has a hyperco spring, 5/8 sway bar. I have tokiko shocks in the front(I like them)255/45-17, but the rear has the KYB adjust-a-crap (want Bilsteins) 285/40-18.
I am confident with the handling, just wondering how others would describe the handling of their Vettes.
It is a lot different then my 70 camaro. Both cars have new suspensions set up with a good alignment and new parts. My Vette is an 82 with a stock front end, rear has a hyperco spring, 5/8 sway bar. I have tokiko shocks in the front(I like them)255/45-17, but the rear has the KYB adjust-a-crap (want Bilsteins) 285/40-18.
I am confident with the handling, just wondering how others would describe the handling of their Vettes.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Dimondale Mich
I have a 82 with a rebuilt stock suspension. with 7/16 rear stabilizer bar. It handles good, cornering seems alright, but I don,t think it gives me a real feel of the road going straight, it's like it's floating. Maybe I'm just use to rack & pinion steering on my other vehicles....I'm lost in this matter......
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Actually, it handles like a nearly 50 year old vehcile. The C3 suspension was essentially unchanged from the C2, so it is 1963 technology in these cars. Now, if you consider that they were 10 years ahead of their time [when new], you are back to a 40 year old technology.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,934
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From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
When ever I take a tight corner at speed the rear feels like it is STEERING around the corner as well. It doesn't get loose or make any squeeling noise. It kinda feels like it is floating around the corner and then I come out of the corner and it feels the same straightning out. My Vette stays flat and controlable except over med bumps or pot holes, then it gets a little upset.
It is a lot different then my 70 camaro. Both cars have new suspensions set up with a good alignment and new parts. My Vette is an 82 with a stock front end, rear has a hyperco spring, 5/8 sway bar. I have tokiko shocks in the front(I like them)255/45-17, but the rear has the KYB adjust-a-crap (want Bilsteins) 285/40-18.
I am confident with the handling, just wondering how others would describe the handling of their Vettes.
It is a lot different then my 70 camaro. Both cars have new suspensions set up with a good alignment and new parts. My Vette is an 82 with a stock front end, rear has a hyperco spring, 5/8 sway bar. I have tokiko shocks in the front(I like them)255/45-17, but the rear has the KYB adjust-a-crap (want Bilsteins) 285/40-18.
I am confident with the handling, just wondering how others would describe the handling of their Vettes.
The C4 rear suspension is designed to do just the opposite in a corner, which is why a C4 is a lot more predictable when driven at the limit.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 308
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From: Salem MA
Unpredictably with a nasty tendancy for extreme oversteer.
I was able to fix the 'slop' by tightening the steering box in a manner no one recomends, replacing the rag joint, and the other bushings.
And it has, bilstein sports, and good tires.
I was able to fix the 'slop' by tightening the steering box in a manner no one recomends, replacing the rag joint, and the other bushings.
And it has, bilstein sports, and good tires.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 56
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poly
Well, I do have all poly bushings as herb adams said the worst thing about this suspension were all the rubber bushings being to compliant during hard cornering, but I guess it wil still have some flex no matter. Also. What about sitting so far back as to be almost at the rear wheels as opposed to my camaro where I am quite a bit foward??
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,408
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
Although I currently own a C-5, which is quite a bit different, my wife owned a '79 C-3 for 18 years. 2-3 years before we decided to sell it, I went through the entire suspension, even though the car was a fairly low mileage vehicle.
I installed new ball joints, tie rod ends, poly bushings everywhere, new shocks, VB&P front coils and rear 'glass spring, and added a rear sway bar. It made quite a difference in how the car handled, due to the poly stuff and rear sway bar, and rode, due mostly to the rear spring.
I installed new ball joints, tie rod ends, poly bushings everywhere, new shocks, VB&P front coils and rear 'glass spring, and added a rear sway bar. It made quite a difference in how the car handled, due to the poly stuff and rear sway bar, and rode, due mostly to the rear spring.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Actually, it handles like a nearly 50 year old vehcile. The C3 suspension was essentially unchanged from the C2, so it is 1963 technology in these cars. Now, if you consider that they were 10 years ahead of their time [when new], you are back to a 40 year old technology.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
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New England Events Coordinator
but it is fun
I have a 70 Vert, no power steering, but good alignment. She handles like a 40 year old. I call it the beast, but once I get her out on the highway, it doesn;t matter, the beast is tamed. I'm lovin it!
