C3 ride and handling?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
C3 ride and handling?
K, we bought our car in October, had some issues with the engine, by the time we made a plan it was too late to drive the car, any more than a half mile home. Talking to different people, I've heard more than one say C3's ride hard, not comfortable, and don't handle well.
So my question is, what do we have to look forward to in the spring when we put the new engine in and fire it up? We aren't looking for a Cadillac ride, nor expect it to handle like a new one, but seriously, I had some old Mopars that did best in a straight line, so anything beyond that is a plus
So my question is, what do we have to look forward to in the spring when we put the new engine in and fire it up? We aren't looking for a Cadillac ride, nor expect it to handle like a new one, but seriously, I had some old Mopars that did best in a straight line, so anything beyond that is a plus
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
I replaced all the stock bushings with rubber except the rear strut rods,poly.replaced the ball joints and rebuilt everything else to stock steering setup and have no play in the wheel.i think what you will find strange is the steering ratio and general steering feel.all else will be a pleasant surprise.good luck!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 334
Likes: 6
In my 75, (small block) the suspension has been maintained/replaced with the only update being a fiberglass mono spring. At 70 on the highway, it tracks perfectly straight when I take my hands off the wheel.
Turns, changing lanes, curves, braking are all consistent with good feedback. So I think you'll be very happy once you put some miles on the car!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Seriously, mines a bit bumpy but it's 40 years old.
Overall, compared to old MOPARs, it will be a much better riding car.
(I still want an old MOPAR though.....
)
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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IMO the whole run of C3's from 68-82 handle very well considering the era in which they were produced. In stock form with modern radials, good shocks and a tight front and rear end they are very satisfying to drive. Nothing like today's Corvettes but still a nice driving car considering it's age.
The C3 Corvettes certainly handle alot better than the old muscle cars. I've owned alot of 64-70 Chevelles and the Vette is a much better handling car than those and all of the other muscle car era iron.
The C3 Corvettes certainly handle alot better than the old muscle cars. I've owned alot of 64-70 Chevelles and the Vette is a much better handling car than those and all of the other muscle car era iron.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
You can make a Corvette's ride fit your style of driving with a few changes
I am more interested in a cross-country car than I am in handling for my "rescue-project". The "right" Monroe shocks will give a very smooth ride (you will loose some "curvey road" handling though).
Being a rookie at Corvettes, I would think that a slightly lower than stock spring-rate mono-spring would definitely help smooth out the ride. (My grandpa had steel arched springs on his Model A.....LOL)
Going a little "lighter" than stock on the coil spring rate would also smooth out the ride for those of us who have "bruised kidney syndrome" from the '60s and '70s......LOL!
I am more interested in a cross-country car than I am in handling for my "rescue-project". The "right" Monroe shocks will give a very smooth ride (you will loose some "curvey road" handling though).
Being a rookie at Corvettes, I would think that a slightly lower than stock spring-rate mono-spring would definitely help smooth out the ride. (My grandpa had steel arched springs on his Model A.....LOL)
Going a little "lighter" than stock on the coil spring rate would also smooth out the ride for those of us who have "bruised kidney syndrome" from the '60s and '70s......LOL!
Last edited by doorgunner; Jan 16, 2014 at 09:51 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,363
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From: Bowtie, Pennsyltucky
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15,'21
Most people are surprised to find that my car isn't the bone-jarring buckboard they were expecting. I'm using the stock springs, all new bushings and suspension parts and Monroe shocks.
Last edited by Mick71; Jan 16, 2014 at 09:53 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 992
Likes: 28
From: Sutton MA
Thanks for the replies so far, this corvette has aftermarket shocks in it, I"ll check them out when I get home, I believe they are adjustable if that's possible. I am going to rebuild the control arms at least, then if things go like they usually do I'll rebuild the rest, but Im trying to do what I need to, get the car driving then plan the rest.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
What's funny is that my 1970 has BLOWN ME AWAY by how well it rides and turns.
Mine is bone stock with "whatever" shocks in it. It has the light-duty front springs in it. I also have heavy-duty front springs on hand, but the PO pulled them because he did not like the ride they gave. That lowered the front significantly and I now have 8" bolts in the rear spring to get the back end similar in height.
My car has also survived a significant hit to the passenger front and the front a-arms are visibly misaligned. The rear pickup points are about right, but the front pickup point is a solid inch higher. And I have a BUNCH of shims to try and straighten things out.
So if there is ANY car that should ride wonky, it SHOULD be mine. But I go down the road great, rides over bumps great, goes straight as an arrow, and turns VERY well.
I'm very pleased and the good ride is one of the first things that other folks comment on when I drive them around. That and how fast it is. And how loud it is.
Mine is bone stock with "whatever" shocks in it. It has the light-duty front springs in it. I also have heavy-duty front springs on hand, but the PO pulled them because he did not like the ride they gave. That lowered the front significantly and I now have 8" bolts in the rear spring to get the back end similar in height.
My car has also survived a significant hit to the passenger front and the front a-arms are visibly misaligned. The rear pickup points are about right, but the front pickup point is a solid inch higher. And I have a BUNCH of shims to try and straighten things out.
So if there is ANY car that should ride wonky, it SHOULD be mine. But I go down the road great, rides over bumps great, goes straight as an arrow, and turns VERY well.
I'm very pleased and the good ride is one of the first things that other folks comment on when I drive them around. That and how fast it is. And how loud it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
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I was pleasantly surprised with the ride quality of my 71 with the factory coil springs & steel rear leaf last year. I came from a 70 Chevelle Big Block with double adjustable shocks set up for going fast in a straight line. The Vette was like driving a go-kart compared to the Chevelle and was a blast to drive! I did 2 legs of the Power Tour in the Vette with the only upgrades being Bilstein shocks and a Borgeson steering box - everything else factory and it rode pretty great in my opinion. This year the car gets a full VB&P Performance Plus suspension though.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Thanks for the replies so far, this corvette has aftermarket shocks in it, I"ll check them out when I get home, I believe they are adjustable if that's possible. I am going to rebuild the control arms at least, then if things go like they usually do I'll rebuild the rest, but Im trying to do what I need to, get the car driving then plan the rest.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 119
From: Springfield Missouri
the ride depends on how much money you want to spend, starting with all basic steering components, tires shocks, springs, weight of car with new motor, a/c on there or not(weight) etc.
The more money, sometimes the better the ride.
The more money, sometimes the better the ride.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
I'm still 'breaking in' my all stock '76sb, which I've had on the road for almost a month now. Each day I take it out for a spin I like it more and more. Tracks straight, minimal (<>1/4-1/2") steering play, decent control over bumps (could use some new bushings, but shocks are okay). Excellent acceleration with a recent carb rebuild. Also, and I don't mind saying this, the Turbo HD350 auto is a damn nice slush box. I love how it 'knows' just when to shift up during a freeway on-ramp blitz.
All in all, I'm very pleased with the handling and performance. Could improvements be made? Yes - mostly window and T-top rattles; small stuff. It IS a sports car, after all. If I wanted land-yacht handling and living room couch comfort, I'd buy back my very long gone '71 Lincoln Continental MkIII.
All in all, I'm very pleased with the handling and performance. Could improvements be made? Yes - mostly window and T-top rattles; small stuff. It IS a sports car, after all. If I wanted land-yacht handling and living room couch comfort, I'd buy back my very long gone '71 Lincoln Continental MkIII.
Last edited by Capkunu; Jan 16, 2014 at 12:02 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 417
Likes: 11
From: Brigham City Utah
The 1973 I bought rode just a tad better than say a Down Hill Derby Car. The springs were shot, who knows how old the shocks were, bushings were worn or nor even there and the rear was missing the sway bar
Now everything is new...Prothane bushing everywhere, 550 lb Gymkana springs front, Gymkana rear spring, new upgraded shocks, HD sway bars front and rear....I am starting to wonder just what sort of ride I will have.
Good thing I replaced all the seat springs, foam and new seat covers to give me a little cushion.
Karsten
Now everything is new...Prothane bushing everywhere, 550 lb Gymkana springs front, Gymkana rear spring, new upgraded shocks, HD sway bars front and rear....I am starting to wonder just what sort of ride I will have.
Good thing I replaced all the seat springs, foam and new seat covers to give me a little cushion.
Karsten
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
You can make a Corvette's ride fit your style of driving with a few changes
I am more interested in a cross-country car than I am in handling for my "rescue-project". The "right" Monroe shocks will give a very smooth ride (you will loose some "curvey road" handling though).
Being a rookie at Corvettes, I would think that a slightly lower than stock spring-rate mono-spring would definitely help smooth out the ride. (My grandpa had steel arched springs on his Model A.....LOL)
Going a little "lighter" than stock on the coil spring rate would also smooth out the ride for those of us who have "bruised kidney syndrome" from the '60s and '70s......LOL!
I am more interested in a cross-country car than I am in handling for my "rescue-project". The "right" Monroe shocks will give a very smooth ride (you will loose some "curvey road" handling though).
Being a rookie at Corvettes, I would think that a slightly lower than stock spring-rate mono-spring would definitely help smooth out the ride. (My grandpa had steel arched springs on his Model A.....LOL)
Going a little "lighter" than stock on the coil spring rate would also smooth out the ride for those of us who have "bruised kidney syndrome" from the '60s and '70s......LOL!
If you use the stock front springs, and reinstall them with a rubber spring isolator on top of each one, like GM (and Ford and probably a lot of companies) put on the full size cars, that will improve the NVH nicely. They are only maybe 1/4" thick, so they will increase the ride height by maybe 1/8". Nuthin', really.
Hyperco makes a composite rear spring with a close to stock rate that they call the EZ Ride.
You might try to install SLIGHTLY thicker than stock stabilizer shafts. Or not. On my '74, I am using a 15/16" front and a 9/16" rear bar.
That, a careful rebuild with rubber bushings, and a quality four wheel alignment, will make you one happy camper.
You don't have to dump a wheelbarrow full of money on the car or reinvent the wheel to make a nice grand touring machine out of it.