C3 Handling / Ride Vs C5?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I have a 1980 'vette. My brother has a 1997 'vette. His car is better than mine in every way imaginable, power, handling, overall condition, options, you name it, but people still walk right past it to oooh and aaah over my car. He gets so pissed off about it, it's kinda funny!!!!! I love my C3 'vette, even with all of it's faults.
Scott
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Actually C3 can have very good handling w/ the high performance FE-7 suspension.
What's needed is an objective measure. A good standard of handling is the Road & Track slalom course. 77 w/FE-7 High Perf. suspension set a new record in 77 with 63.6 mph "hampered by stock air pressures". Surprisingly, R & T did not try or publish performance with increased air pressure. They were aware stock air pressures were meant to keep the less astute out of the weeds.
Later matched by a Ferrari 512BB.
The high heavy rear glass hurt 78. 84 Corvette (however not all C4s) did better. The primary advantage of C4 being better tires. So many complained about the 84 stiff suspension that rates were reduced.
For reference, Mario Andretti turned 63.4 in a 1999 Corvette.
What's needed is an objective measure. A good standard of handling is the Road & Track slalom course. 77 w/FE-7 High Perf. suspension set a new record in 77 with 63.6 mph "hampered by stock air pressures". Surprisingly, R & T did not try or publish performance with increased air pressure. They were aware stock air pressures were meant to keep the less astute out of the weeds.
Later matched by a Ferrari 512BB.
The high heavy rear glass hurt 78. 84 Corvette (however not all C4s) did better. The primary advantage of C4 being better tires. So many complained about the 84 stiff suspension that rates were reduced.
For reference, Mario Andretti turned 63.4 in a 1999 Corvette.
Scott
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 629
From: Rural North West NV
Thanks for all the info. I will most likely end up with another C3 unless someone with a C4 or C5 wants to do a partial trade deal.
I loved my C5 but as many have said, it is not a classic Vette. I would never have taken it to a car show as the view from behind the wheel out is the best. I figured nobody would really want to see it in a car show hen you could just go to a dealer and see the same thing.
Because I will use the car very infrequently, I will do suspension mods in steps and see what I like. Of the four C3's that I had I never really disliked the handling. It was just that the C5 is so much better. I can live with a "driver's car" that requires more driver input. Sometimes that is a more fun ride. Hell, I drive a lifted truck most of the time and it certainly is no sports car!
I loved my C5 but as many have said, it is not a classic Vette. I would never have taken it to a car show as the view from behind the wheel out is the best. I figured nobody would really want to see it in a car show hen you could just go to a dealer and see the same thing.
Because I will use the car very infrequently, I will do suspension mods in steps and see what I like. Of the four C3's that I had I never really disliked the handling. It was just that the C5 is so much better. I can live with a "driver's car" that requires more driver input. Sometimes that is a more fun ride. Hell, I drive a lifted truck most of the time and it certainly is no sports car!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 39
From: Fremont CA
Back to the question, you will never get C5/6 level of comfort/performance out of a C3 Vette but, the ride isn't all that bad if you stay with factory engineering. I have a 72 LT-1 with F-41 suspension set-up, it ran autocross times right there with our old C5 Z06 with both being on Kuhmo V710 sticky tires (we sold the C5 for the new C6 Z06.)
One thing the C3 will never equal is the comfort of a C5 Vette, but with the right parts it will handle pretty well. I am a big fan of Chevy engineering and had a basic F-41 suspension on my 72 LT-1 and the only good performance mod was a Borgeson steering box. I'm not a fan of retro fit transverse leafs in the front, dual mount rear springs or rack&pinion steering systems, if you want those go with a C4/5/6 Vette. I like steel 7-leaf rear springs (only the ones sold by Eaton Spring in Michigan), Bilstein shocks, and good alignments on a rebuilt chassis (Moog parts only!)
You have to be willing to work on your C3 Vette yourself as paying a shop to perform the tasks required to rebuild it will net you an investment that is more costly than the Vette is worth. The C3 needs to have a blueprinted rear differential, and quality parts in the suspension. There are many aftermarket products I wouldn't use on my Vette but many here champion their use, I think some are so poorly engineered as to be borderline dangerous and many Vettes these parts are found on are "garage Queens". I drive my C3 Vette over 5K miles a year and the Vette is pretty dead reliable.
I guess in the end you have to ask yourself if your willing to make the commitment to making a better Vette, if not, go with another C5 (sometimes I miss our C5 Z06, in many ways it was a far better balanced Vette than the C6 Z.)
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
you can change suspension and if you put enough money into it you can get close but the C5 has too much of an advantage on weight displacement that I doubt you could ever get close to on a C3. A C3 is what it is. Almost like taking the mini van out and trying to get it to perform like a C5.
Just grab you one and research and add what you want a bit at a time. Sounds like you need to stay away from the BB because of the heavy front end weight would really effect your handling.
Just grab you one and research and add what you want a bit at a time. Sounds like you need to stay away from the BB because of the heavy front end weight would really effect your handling.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 629
From: Rural North West NV
I take it that you have never driven a C6Z06, our Z06 can light the tires at will even with the traction control in full "nanny" mode.
Back to the question, you will never get C5/6 level of comfort/performance out of a C3 Vette but, the ride isn't all that bad if you stay with factory engineering. I have a 72 LT-1 with F-41 suspension set-up, it ran autocross times right there with our old C5 Z06 with both being on Kuhmo V710 sticky tires (we sold the C5 for the new C6 Z06.)
One thing the C3 will never equal is the comfort of a C5 Vette, but with the right parts it will handle pretty well. I am a big fan of Chevy engineering and had a basic F-41 suspension on my 72 LT-1 and the only good performance mod was a Borgeson steering box. I'm not a fan of retro fit transverse leafs in the front, dual mount rear springs or rack&pinion steering systems, if you want those go with a C4/5/6 Vette. I like steel 7-leaf rear springs (only the ones sold by Eaton Spring in Michigan), Bilstein shocks, and good alignments on a rebuilt chassis (Moog parts only!)
You have to be willing to work on your C3 Vette yourself as paying a shop to perform the tasks required to rebuild it will net you an investment that is more costly than the Vette is worth. The C3 needs to have a blueprinted rear differential, and quality parts in the suspension. There are many aftermarket products I wouldn't use on my Vette but many here champion their use, I think some are so poorly engineered as to be borderline dangerous and many Vettes these parts are found on are "garage Queens". I drive my C3 Vette over 5K miles a year and the Vette is pretty dead reliable.
I guess in the end you have to ask yourself if your willing to make the commitment to making a better Vette, if not, go with another C5 (sometimes I miss our C5 Z06, in many ways it was a far better balanced Vette than the C6 Z.)
Back to the question, you will never get C5/6 level of comfort/performance out of a C3 Vette but, the ride isn't all that bad if you stay with factory engineering. I have a 72 LT-1 with F-41 suspension set-up, it ran autocross times right there with our old C5 Z06 with both being on Kuhmo V710 sticky tires (we sold the C5 for the new C6 Z06.)
One thing the C3 will never equal is the comfort of a C5 Vette, but with the right parts it will handle pretty well. I am a big fan of Chevy engineering and had a basic F-41 suspension on my 72 LT-1 and the only good performance mod was a Borgeson steering box. I'm not a fan of retro fit transverse leafs in the front, dual mount rear springs or rack&pinion steering systems, if you want those go with a C4/5/6 Vette. I like steel 7-leaf rear springs (only the ones sold by Eaton Spring in Michigan), Bilstein shocks, and good alignments on a rebuilt chassis (Moog parts only!)
You have to be willing to work on your C3 Vette yourself as paying a shop to perform the tasks required to rebuild it will net you an investment that is more costly than the Vette is worth. The C3 needs to have a blueprinted rear differential, and quality parts in the suspension. There are many aftermarket products I wouldn't use on my Vette but many here champion their use, I think some are so poorly engineered as to be borderline dangerous and many Vettes these parts are found on are "garage Queens". I drive my C3 Vette over 5K miles a year and the Vette is pretty dead reliable.
I guess in the end you have to ask yourself if your willing to make the commitment to making a better Vette, if not, go with another C5 (sometimes I miss our C5 Z06, in many ways it was a far better balanced Vette than the C6 Z.)
I will be doing all the work myself (I built the '34 coupe below as well as many others) and this will be a play / hobby car so I can take my time and do the research.
One of the things I really liked about the C5 was its ability to double duty as a long distance traveling car. With close to 30 MPG and the creature comforts it was awesome on long trips. I guess the C3 would be more of a blast around local car so I'm not so worried about the ride.
No matter what I do it will handle and ride better than my hot rods!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,652
Likes: 629
From: Rural North West NV
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
When I get into an "old" car, I really expect to experience a car of it's era. I'm not saying that I wouldn't appreciate mods to make them more comfortable, but I'm not sure I want to go through the trouble and expense when I could just buy a new car. My 2005 Pontiac Bonneville rides and drives better than my "69 Corvette. My mom's Buick is more comfortable than my Pontiac. I had a Cadillac that was smooth as can be.
I don't mind more power in the old Corvette, but I want the experience of my '69, or my '66, or my '58 now and then.
I don't mind more power in the old Corvette, but I want the experience of my '69, or my '66, or my '58 now and then.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Not really. Even if you leave it all iron the engine is set back enough to have good weight distribution, about 51/49. Add aluminum heads and intake, some headers, mini starter etc and it will be 50/50.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
I take it that you have never driven a C6Z06, our Z06 can light the tires at will even with the traction control in full "nanny" mode.
Back to the question, you will never get C5/6 level of comfort/performance out of a C3 Vette but, the ride isn't all that bad if you stay with factory engineering. I have a 72 LT-1 with F-41 suspension set-up, it ran autocross times right there with our old C5 Z06 with both being on Kuhmo V710 sticky tires (we sold the C5 for the new C6 Z06.)
One thing the C3 will never equal is the comfort of a C5 Vette, but with the right parts it will handle pretty well. I am a big fan of Chevy engineering and had a basic F-41 suspension on my 72 LT-1 and the only good performance mod was a Borgeson steering box. I'm not a fan of retro fit transverse leafs in the front, dual mount rear springs or rack&pinion steering systems, if you want those go with a C4/5/6 Vette. I like steel 7-leaf rear springs (only the ones sold by Eaton Spring in Michigan), Bilstein shocks, and good alignments on a rebuilt chassis (Moog parts only!)
You have to be willing to work on your C3 Vette yourself as paying a shop to perform the tasks required to rebuild it will net you an investment that is more costly than the Vette is worth. The C3 needs to have a blueprinted rear differential, and quality parts in the suspension. There are many aftermarket products I wouldn't use on my Vette but many here champion their use, I think some are so poorly engineered as to be borderline dangerous and many Vettes these parts are found on are "garage Queens". I drive my C3 Vette over 5K miles a year and the Vette is pretty dead reliable.
I guess in the end you have to ask yourself if your willing to make the commitment to making a better Vette, if not, go with another C5 (sometimes I miss our C5 Z06, in many ways it was a far better balanced Vette than the C6 Z.)
Back to the question, you will never get C5/6 level of comfort/performance out of a C3 Vette but, the ride isn't all that bad if you stay with factory engineering. I have a 72 LT-1 with F-41 suspension set-up, it ran autocross times right there with our old C5 Z06 with both being on Kuhmo V710 sticky tires (we sold the C5 for the new C6 Z06.)
One thing the C3 will never equal is the comfort of a C5 Vette, but with the right parts it will handle pretty well. I am a big fan of Chevy engineering and had a basic F-41 suspension on my 72 LT-1 and the only good performance mod was a Borgeson steering box. I'm not a fan of retro fit transverse leafs in the front, dual mount rear springs or rack&pinion steering systems, if you want those go with a C4/5/6 Vette. I like steel 7-leaf rear springs (only the ones sold by Eaton Spring in Michigan), Bilstein shocks, and good alignments on a rebuilt chassis (Moog parts only!)
You have to be willing to work on your C3 Vette yourself as paying a shop to perform the tasks required to rebuild it will net you an investment that is more costly than the Vette is worth. The C3 needs to have a blueprinted rear differential, and quality parts in the suspension. There are many aftermarket products I wouldn't use on my Vette but many here champion their use, I think some are so poorly engineered as to be borderline dangerous and many Vettes these parts are found on are "garage Queens". I drive my C3 Vette over 5K miles a year and the Vette is pretty dead reliable.
I guess in the end you have to ask yourself if your willing to make the commitment to making a better Vette, if not, go with another C5 (sometimes I miss our C5 Z06, in many ways it was a far better balanced Vette than the C6 Z.)
i kept my car stock (but improved-tuned) and took it to the racetrack : no big handling difference in respect to my Porsche Boxster.
thread starter read here :http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ay-report.html
In certain situations the Vette gives me even a better handling-feeling than the Boxster.In some other not ( steering box unsolved issue i think , even if i went for the best one -gary ramadei made). I think i should go for rack and pinion but i like to keep my car stock
Last edited by elle88; Oct 29, 2011 at 09:38 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,976
Likes: 3,362
From: NYC NY
If you want the "simple answer" to the question that's it right there.A C3 will never be a C5............but it can be just as much all around fun to own and drive.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem NC
This will make a huge difference but still will not get you there. Will get you very close and your C3 will feel like a different car.
My 79 Vett has the complete VBP ultimate package ( shocks, sway bars, urethane bushings, front & rear springs, lowering kit etc. etc.), with off set trailing arms and a front spredder bar. Up grade brake kit.17 x 9 wheels and 275 x 40 x 17 Wheels.
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My 79 Vett has the complete VBP ultimate package ( shocks, sway bars, urethane bushings, front & rear springs, lowering kit etc. etc.), with off set trailing arms and a front spredder bar. Up grade brake kit.17 x 9 wheels and 275 x 40 x 17 Wheels.
[IMG]
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[/IMG]Did you use the Performance Plus System Full Kit from VB&P?
