Tire/Suspension Question
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
An interesting question as a chassis judge I've come to the conclusion that the radial tires, specifically the P255/60r15s brought about a second set of heavy-duty rear shocks. As you probably know, the 78, followed by the 79 were/are the heaviest Corvettes ever built. Essentially, three different shock sets were used in 78 and that carried over into 79, base, FE7 heavy-duty shocks, and then the extra heavy-duty shocks. If you look at published sources, you'll find the 22102402s called out in 79 but were actually used in 78, especially with Pace CArs that came with the P255s but also with the FE7 option. But I've also seen these shocks on coupes with heavy-duty options whether ZN1 (trailer package) or FE7. On buildsheets, the x-tra HD shocks (rears) are called out by the CE broadcast code while FE7s are CL. Base shocks are CH and CJ. I also believe the fronts for x-tra are the same as FE7, the CL codes.
I've not seen other related suspension changes other than shocks by either observation or buildsheets. I suspect by 79, engineers were already designing those suspension alloy changes to the rear crossmember, spring leaf (monoleaf) and differential housing. Of course, FE7 remained the same until dropped from the C3 option list.
I've not seen other related suspension changes other than shocks by either observation or buildsheets. I suspect by 79, engineers were already designing those suspension alloy changes to the rear crossmember, spring leaf (monoleaf) and differential housing. Of course, FE7 remained the same until dropped from the C3 option list.
