1971 Journey
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Given I am using a shorter coil-over body for lower ride height my top mounted bump stop needs to be moved down a bit so I made some spacers to ensure that the bump stop is hit before the damper body hits full extension.
Last edited by CraigH; Dec 14, 2023 at 01:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The Ridetech tool to adjust the coil base needs a 3/8" handle to give enough leverage.
At zero pre-load there is about 1/4" up the threads showing below the adjuster.
Before attaching the bottom pivot bolt I wound each coil-over up to where about 1 1/2" of thread was showing. I did it this way as its easier than when they are attached.
At this level I have about 1 1/4" of preload and from some testing that sat the front roughly at a good starting point with the 500 lb springs I am using.
With the Global West arms I found I needed 3 shims to properly fit the bottom bolt nice and snugly.
At zero pre-load there is about 1/4" up the threads showing below the adjuster.
Before attaching the bottom pivot bolt I wound each coil-over up to where about 1 1/2" of thread was showing. I did it this way as its easier than when they are attached.
At this level I have about 1 1/4" of preload and from some testing that sat the front roughly at a good starting point with the 500 lb springs I am using.
With the Global West arms I found I needed 3 shims to properly fit the bottom bolt nice and snugly.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Even though my testing showed no contact between the coil-over top hat and the hole in the top of the spring pocket other members have needed to trim it to some extent.
What I decided to do was to trim the hole so it was more even with the spring pocket top, so not offset a bit to the outer side.
Rubbing may have occurred if I was running longer body coil-overs (as per stock offering) as it gets closest at full extension.
All i did was just grind about 1/4" on the inbound side tapering to nothing and result is the hole is more centred with the spring pocket.
What I decided to do was to trim the hole so it was more even with the spring pocket top, so not offset a bit to the outer side.
Rubbing may have occurred if I was running longer body coil-overs (as per stock offering) as it gets closest at full extension.
All i did was just grind about 1/4" on the inbound side tapering to nothing and result is the hole is more centred with the spring pocket.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,259
Likes: 7,849
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Looking great Craig! 
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thanks Doc, have only been able to spend a hour here or there over last few weeks but hope to have it ready to test drive before Christmas.
I am most interested to compare the ride etc between the semi and full coilovers as well as QA1 vs Ridetech dampers.
I am most interested to compare the ride etc between the semi and full coilovers as well as QA1 vs Ridetech dampers.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,259
Likes: 7,849
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
And we are all interested in your review!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Heaps of threads on here about the process as well.
I only decided to do it again now as I had it all in pieces.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
I'm disassemblying complete front suspension and sand blasting and painting arms and everything that comes with it so that is good to know.
Old Pro Solo Guy
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 8,095
Likes: 4,449
From: Marlton NJ
The front bearing is a straight forward job except that on a C3 it's tightness controls the runout of the disc brake rotor. It must have some runout, it cannot be run snug. On a normal car, the backing off one flat procedure works fine, but on a c3 often produces too much runout for the solid mounted calipers. So some experimenting, or shimming, or nut grinding may be required to get a low runout #.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
I can’t spend any more money on mine right now so If you guys are feeling especially giving at this time of the year, the full coil overs for the front are at the top of my Christmas list!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Not to hi-jack Craig's thread, But.....
Quick, run down to the mall, sit on Santa's lap! Tell him you need coilovers for Chrissy! Don't forget to mention that you have been a VERY good boy!
ya never know..................
Quick, run down to the mall, sit on Santa's lap! Tell him you need coilovers for Chrissy! Don't forget to mention that you have been a VERY good boy!
ya never know..................
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
So finished up bearings, brakes etc and took the 71 for a test run.
Very smooth but a few rattles at lower speed bumps. Not harsh at all, with dampers doing an excellent job to handle road issues.
Took its home and looked for the rattle and found the top mounts had backed off a bit or had fully seated after some use.
Tightened them back up to 80 inch pounds and back out again.
This time no noises just a nice controlled smooth ride.
It is sitting a little low at 26 1/16” to wheel arch that will need to be adjusted up a bit.
Is it better than the semi coil-overs…..yes, certainly noticeable difference and I no longer have some of the suspension noises and harshness over speed humps and etc I had before.
Was it worth the extra $$’s, yes because it put a smile in my face with how it rides.
The Ridetech dampers seem better controlled than the QA1’s they replaced , even though they are single vs dual adjustable for the QA1’s
Will need to do some more playing with settings but this is first impressions, so you can get your Christmas letters to Santa in 😀.
Very smooth but a few rattles at lower speed bumps. Not harsh at all, with dampers doing an excellent job to handle road issues.
Took its home and looked for the rattle and found the top mounts had backed off a bit or had fully seated after some use.
Tightened them back up to 80 inch pounds and back out again.
This time no noises just a nice controlled smooth ride.
It is sitting a little low at 26 1/16” to wheel arch that will need to be adjusted up a bit.
Is it better than the semi coil-overs…..yes, certainly noticeable difference and I no longer have some of the suspension noises and harshness over speed humps and etc I had before.
Was it worth the extra $$’s, yes because it put a smile in my face with how it rides.
The Ridetech dampers seem better controlled than the QA1’s they replaced , even though they are single vs dual adjustable for the QA1’s
Will need to do some more playing with settings but this is first impressions, so you can get your Christmas letters to Santa in 😀.
Last edited by CraigH; Dec 19, 2023 at 12:53 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,259
Likes: 7,849
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I have no budget for that at the moment, my car has been a very bad girl this year and has really drained the toy budget. I'll have to live with my cut down factory gymkhana springs with Bilstiens a while longer.
But I do value your opinion. After you get a few more miles on her you should know better how this helped the handling, if at all. And more info on ride quality. I'll be watching.
But I do value your opinion. After you get a few more miles on her you should know better how this helped the handling, if at all. And more info on ride quality. I'll be watching.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,410
Likes: 8,213
From: Napa Valley California
My girl was rode hard at some point.
The painter found cracks down both sides of the radiator surround and both rear quarter panels had been replaced.
The panels were factory replacements but the work to replace them was horrible.
My toy budget took a big hit but she will be better than new soon and the work is done right.
So I’m watching my pennies at this point as well.
The painter found cracks down both sides of the radiator surround and both rear quarter panels had been replaced.
The panels were factory replacements but the work to replace them was horrible.
My toy budget took a big hit but she will be better than new soon and the work is done right.
So I’m watching my pennies at this point as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Yes I would be frightened to add up my spend over the last 13 years but luckily I was working for most of it and it was my primary hobby and helped me handle my anxiety.
I have gone though a few iteration's of suspension etc on the 71 as well as changing my mind on many other areas so have a heap of new and used stuff in my shed left over.
Now I have retired it is a bit different and I sold about $2k worth of suspension parts I had left over to offset these new Ridetech coil-overs.
Also my **** retentive nature has also had me on a somewhat futile quest for having a C3 that drives and handles closer to modern sports handling and comfort expectations while sitting at a fairly low ride height. Along the way it had been a good handling car but….there is always better. Possibly anxiety was not my only problem 😀
I have gone though a few iteration's of suspension etc on the 71 as well as changing my mind on many other areas so have a heap of new and used stuff in my shed left over.
Now I have retired it is a bit different and I sold about $2k worth of suspension parts I had left over to offset these new Ridetech coil-overs.
Also my **** retentive nature has also had me on a somewhat futile quest for having a C3 that drives and handles closer to modern sports handling and comfort expectations while sitting at a fairly low ride height. Along the way it had been a good handling car but….there is always better. Possibly anxiety was not my only problem 😀
Last edited by CraigH; Dec 19, 2023 at 03:17 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 297
From: Slovenia, EU
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Yes I would be frightened to add up my spend over the last 13 years but luckily I was working for most of it and it was my primary hobby and helped me handle my anxiety.
I have gone though a few iteration's of suspension etc on the 71 as well as changing my mind on many other areas so have a heap of new and used stuff in my shed left over.
Now I have retired it is a bit different and I sold about $2k worth of suspension parts I had left over to offset these new Ridetech coil-overs.
Also my **** retentive nature has also had me on a somewhat futile quest for having a C3 that drives and handles closer to modern sports handling and comfort expectations while sitting at a fairly low ride height. Along the way it had been a good handling car but….there is always better. Possibly anxiety was not my only problem 😀
I have gone though a few iteration's of suspension etc on the 71 as well as changing my mind on many other areas so have a heap of new and used stuff in my shed left over.
Now I have retired it is a bit different and I sold about $2k worth of suspension parts I had left over to offset these new Ridetech coil-overs.
Also my **** retentive nature has also had me on a somewhat futile quest for having a C3 that drives and handles closer to modern sports handling and comfort expectations while sitting at a fairly low ride height. Along the way it had been a good handling car but….there is always better. Possibly anxiety was not my only problem 😀
We all dread to add up the costs of parts for our Corvettes but it has to be measured in a different way than just cost spent, because in the end it helped us in so many different ways to combat with our issues in everyday life.
Keep up the awesome work Craig or should I say keep enjoying your Corvette!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,410
Likes: 8,213
From: Napa Valley California
I agree.
I just converted to a serpentine belt system because I couldn’t find a set of v belt brackets that aligned everything perfect and looked nice.
I tried a couple of oem alternator brackets that were supposed to be oem but ended up reproductions that didn’t fit correctly and to me the Vintage air ac bracket looked horrible.
My OCD kicked in and another forum member recommended a couple of serpentine systems that were plain and simple.
I reluctantly ordered a system I liked but it was costly.
So now I’m trying to save some money to make up for it.
The other day I found I needed a specific plastic washer I couldn’t find at the hardware store so I had to order one from a vendor.
The washer was $2.50 but they charged me $10.00 shipping, which irritated the s#!t out of me.
A plain envelope with a $.50 stamp would have gotten it to me.
I just converted to a serpentine belt system because I couldn’t find a set of v belt brackets that aligned everything perfect and looked nice.
I tried a couple of oem alternator brackets that were supposed to be oem but ended up reproductions that didn’t fit correctly and to me the Vintage air ac bracket looked horrible.
My OCD kicked in and another forum member recommended a couple of serpentine systems that were plain and simple.
I reluctantly ordered a system I liked but it was costly.
So now I’m trying to save some money to make up for it.
The other day I found I needed a specific plastic washer I couldn’t find at the hardware store so I had to order one from a vendor.
The washer was $2.50 but they charged me $10.00 shipping, which irritated the s#!t out of me.
A plain envelope with a $.50 stamp would have gotten it to me.