BillskiVette

The suspension on my 77 is pretty well shot and I'd like to upgrade it for better handling as well. I see there are several kits out there from different places. Any suggestions on what kit is the best bang for my buck? Any kits to avoid? I want to bushings,shocks,springs, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Krystal

There are a lot of ways to go now. This may not be the cheapest way to go but......

Fiberglass transverse springs front and back in my car, along with fully rebuilt trailing arms and steering parts left me with a car that was fully adjustable in terms of ride quality and height.

Don't even get me started on how it all works. You'll need some really good shocks to keep up with the faster reacting system but beyond that it's all good.

Suffice it to say..........The car is light years better than when new.

BillskiVette

That's a bit steep for my budget. I was thinking maybe one of these kits and then the poly bushings.

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1977.html

Krystal

That kit is better and closer to what I suggested than you might be thinking now. The only real serious difference in in those front springs.

You could do that system and then down the road upgrade the front springs to something "adjustable" later on when the budget allows for it.

It may or may not be important to you but for me?........With todays modern tires and rims I wanted to keep my options open so the ride height had to be fully adjustable without any big effort. The idea that the stiffness is also adjustable only added a little "icing to the cake".

Binnie77

ptroxx

No one has really talked about the main pieces of the suspension, like the ball joints and ends and what not.. wouldnt this be the real first thing to make sure you have taken care of ,,,, ? ?

And make sure you go with quality parts.. I know I just did all my tie rods and after reading some of the posts on here I feel I need to replace all my parts with Moog parts... I just wish I would have done that in the begging....
I went with a venders front end package and now after learning a few things just dont feel comfortable anymore with my front end... And I drive my car a lot.....

Just a thought...

81pilot

I finished mine yesterday. I used the Energy Suspension poly kit for the control arms with sway bar bushings, Moog Ball Joints, I reused my springs since it has the stiffer FE7 springs. I had recently added shocks.

Krystal

That's all pretty basic maintenance stuff.

I would hope anyone considering an "up-grade" recognizes none of the newest and latest tech available will work worth a damn if they haven't been all through the front end steering parts, ball joints and bushings first.

From totally stock.....all the way to the best available springs, shocks and sway bars can't do much to keep your car under it's best control when you'd got "sloppy" steering, joints and bushings.

The stuff you're talking about isn't nearly so much about better handling as it is just basic safety!!!

ptroxx

very true, but i have seen people put on all the extras and not take of the basic ,,,... Just making sure,... You would hate to have to get in there and do it all again...Like im going to do....
Turns out Im not hapy with my ball joints, so will be installing all new moog now ... I went with a vendor package thinking it would be good probuct...well after reading and seeing a few set ups.. im not happy,,

just want to make sure they are covering all the bases

81pilot

ptroxx

Sorry but with a brand new member and there first posts I would start with step one, making sure the basic is done.. New car new member... cover the small stuff...

ptroxx

Sorry but with a brand new member and there first 5 posts I would start with step one, making sure the basic is done.. New car new member... cover the small stuff...

81pilot

I don't get your point. Making a car safe is the most important thing. Plus just because someone is new here does not at all make them new to cars, the Vette I have now is about the 60th sports/muscle/fun/4x4 vehicle I have owned and I was new, I came here to specifically learn about the C3, I bet there are a lot of people here like that, not newbies to cars, just new here.

BillskiVette

Not to worry, the Moog ball joints and steering are part of the plan. No worries about talking over my head either. This is my first Corvette, but not my first rodeo.

Thanks everyone for all the replies.

wgarneau

Yup! I was one of those types once... It's called '18'.

ptroxx

Again, Was just trying to make sure a new person was informed.. I have seen people on here go right to getting suspension parts and motor mods before the basic things are done like safety items.
Just some good FYI... But thanks for looking out..

ptroxx

Just sayin....

ptroxx

This is my first vette too, and a 77 like yours....And man I learn new crap every day with this car...So good luck... you have a ton of great people here with great info....

BillskiVette

I find that to be true on every forum I belong to. Always good people out there willing to lend a hand or pass along knowledge.