What do I need - Suspension
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
What do I need - Suspension
PROBLEMS: bad understeer, feels nose heavy, rear breaks loose easily on curves, bad wheel hop
CURRENT SUSPENSION:
front springs unknown, new looking, maybe 460lbs
rear steel 5 leaf spring
new rubber bushings all around
front 3/4 sway bar with poly bushings
KYB's
cross member reinforce aluminum plates
front A arm spreader bar
vbp smart struts (stock bracket)
front tires nitto 555 255/40/17
rear tires nitto 555r 285/35/18
*no room for rear sway bar due to wheels, exhaust, fuel pumps etc..
*everything that can be aluminum in the engine compartment is except block..
I want to lower it 1" all around but the half shafts are already parallel to the ground.
(1969 vette, 496 engine, ROD tranny)
What changes should I try? Thanks
CURRENT SUSPENSION:
front springs unknown, new looking, maybe 460lbs
rear steel 5 leaf spring
new rubber bushings all around
front 3/4 sway bar with poly bushings
KYB's
cross member reinforce aluminum plates
front A arm spreader bar
vbp smart struts (stock bracket)
front tires nitto 555 255/40/17
rear tires nitto 555r 285/35/18
*no room for rear sway bar due to wheels, exhaust, fuel pumps etc..
*everything that can be aluminum in the engine compartment is except block..
I want to lower it 1" all around but the half shafts are already parallel to the ground.
(1969 vette, 496 engine, ROD tranny)
What changes should I try? Thanks
Last edited by Nate '69; Sep 13, 2005 at 04:55 PM.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
From what you explained, it seems that you have an oversteer problem.
1st thing I noticed on your list is the spring rates. SB front springs and you have a really stiff rear spring. BB front springs will lower the front and match the rear spring much better.
1st thing I noticed on your list is the spring rates. SB front springs and you have a really stiff rear spring. BB front springs will lower the front and match the rear spring much better.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
How can I confirm the front spring rate? What should the ride height in front be with the BB springs?
Is another option to install a 1 1/8" front bar to decrease oversteer?
Thx,
Is another option to install a 1 1/8" front bar to decrease oversteer?
Thx,
Last edited by Nate '69; Sep 13, 2005 at 05:33 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by Nate '69
How can I confirm the front spring rate? Thx,
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Ditto Big G.
Also, with your power and expected use, I'd recommend more substantial shocks like Bilstein Sports.
With your ROD, you'll probably be pending some time in triple digits where a slight rake will decrease front end lift. Use the VB shorter front springs and leave the rear where it is.
I'd also give attention to the steering (rag joint, steering box, tie rod ends, idler arm) to keep all that power going where you want it.
Also, with your power and expected use, I'd recommend more substantial shocks like Bilstein Sports.
With your ROD, you'll probably be pending some time in triple digits where a slight rake will decrease front end lift. Use the VB shorter front springs and leave the rear where it is.
I'd also give attention to the steering (rag joint, steering box, tie rod ends, idler arm) to keep all that power going where you want it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
I said understeer because in a slow turn the car doesn't "want" to turn but turning at a higher speed the rear breaks loose.
So it seems I have understeer at low speed and at higher speed I have oversteer .... does that make sense?
I'm waiting on the PO trying to find out the front spring rate and alignment specs. This vette was setup for drag so alignment could be part of this too.
So it seems I have understeer at low speed and at higher speed I have oversteer .... does that make sense?
I'm waiting on the PO trying to find out the front spring rate and alignment specs. This vette was setup for drag so alignment could be part of this too.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 434
Likes: 3
From: Cleveland Ohio
Fix the spring issue as stated above and then take the car to an alignment shop that will put the VB alignment specs on the car for you (not some stored numbers the shop computer has) or as close to the VB specs as they can. Remembering the alignment numbers should equal side to side. Most shops will not make them equal just close.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz CA
Your front sway bar is too small for those spring rates. Measure your front spring wire diameter, if it is less than 3/4", then you likely have more spring rate in the rear than in the front. I use a 5-leaf in back, it is one stiff SOB. Since you are experiencing oversteer and you do not have a rear bar, you should either increase front roll stiffness with a bigger bar or springs or both or reduce rear roll stiffness with a softer rear spring. Your half-shafts should angle slightly down towards the wheel so when you corner and the car goes into roll, you don't toe-out in the rear (causes bump oversteer). If you want to run a low ride height and have it handle, you'll need to raise the differential in the chassis or use smaller diameter rear tires. Good luck and go faster.
