cherrybombc3

Can someone enlighten me to the difference between the following suspensions?

Gymkhana
FE7
F41

I've heard of them mentioned alot on here, but could use some facts defining them.

Seeker of knowledge, pleez splain.
Jimbo

Kalway

FE7 = Gymkhana suspension

I dunno the F41.

Glassbowtie77

I am pretty sure F41 has 550 lb. springs in the front and a 7 leaf in the rear. That's the setup I now have in my car.

cherrybombc3

From everything I can see, they are all the same. I'm thinking that it was just refered to differently depending on the year? But I wish there were some specs/facts that distiguish the different classifications.

rihwoods

The GM #3832518 coil spring was used for HD suspension applications during the 1963 through 1973 period. During this period, the HD suspension codes were F-40 (63-65) and F-41 (66-73).

For the 74-82 period, the HD suspension code was changed to FE-7. Also, the coil springs used for FE-7 during this period changed from those used for F-40/41 earlier. Several different springs were used for FE-7 cars over this period depending upon year and, in some cases, vehicle weight. These springs included the following GM part numbers:

340519
354131
362150
362151
14021601
14021602

cherrybombc3

Very nice...now I assume all 3 had 7 leaf rear springs, or was a 5 thrown in there somewhere?

BobzVette

Don't know about the others, but the FE-7 also had a rear sway bar.

cherrybombc3

It appears the "FE-7 Gymkhana" was one classification. I think alot of people use one part or the other when describing thier set up.
check out some facts I found......,.....

1974 Corvette Specifications
Total Production = 37,502 (32,028 Coupe, 5,474 Convertible)
The first year Corvette with "rubber" bumpers front and rear, the latter
easily distinguishing itself by the vertical split between the two halves of
the bumper assembly. The FE7 gymkhana suspension package was offered as a
new
option.FIBERGLASS FACT: 1974 was the last year that a big block engine was
available in a Corvette.

1974 Corvette Options
RPO# DESCRIPTION QUANTITY $ RETAIL
1YZ37 Base Corvette Sport Coupe 32,028 6,001
1YZ67 Base Corvette Convertible 5,474 5,765
A31 Power Windows 23,940 86
n/a Custom Interior Trim 19,959 154
A85 Custom Shoulder Belts (std with Coupe) 618 41
C07 Auxillary Hardtop (convertible only) 2,612 267
C08 Vinyl Covered Auxillary Hardtop (convertible only) 367 329
C50 Rear Window Defroster 9,322 43
C60 Air Conditioning 29,397 467
FE7 Gymkhana Suspension 1,905 7
n/a Optional Rear Axle Ratio 1,219 12
J50 Power Brakes 33,306 49
LS4 454ci, 270hp Engine 3,494 250
L82 350ci, 250hp Engine 6,690 299
M21 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio 3,494 0
M40 Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission 25,146 0
N37 Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column 27,700 82
N41 Power Steering 35,944 117
QRM GR70x15 White Stripe Steel Belted Tires 9,140 32
QRZ GR70x15 White Letter Steel Belted Tires 24,102 45
UA1 Heavy Duty Battery (std with LS4 engine) 9,169 15
U05 Dual Horns 5,258 4
U58 AM-FM Stereo Radio 19,581 276
U69 AM-FM Radio 17,374 173
UF1 Map Light 16,101 5
YF5 California Emission Test n/a 20
Z07 Off Road Suspension and Brake Package 47 400
1974 Corvette Exterior Color Choices
CODE EXTERIOR QUANTITY
910 Classic White n/a
914 Silver Mist n/a
917 Corvette Gray n/a
922 Corvette Medium Blue n/a
948 Dark Green n/a
956 Bright Yellow n/a
968 Dark Brown n/a
974 Medium Red n/a
976 Mille Miglia Red n/a
980 Corvette Orange n/a
1974 Corvette Interior Color Choices
CODE COLOR
400V Black Vinyl
404 Black Leather
406 Silver Vinyl
407 Silver Leather
408 Neutral Vinyl
413 Dark Blue Vinyl
415 Saddle Vinyl
416 Saddle Leather
425 Dark Red Vinyl

KapsSA

FE7 rear leaf springs (at least 78/79s) were actually SIX leaves. There is a short spacer at the top. 7 leaf were aftermarket replacements.
Mike

cherrybombc3

This is really clearing alot of things up! When I took out my stock spring (78), I thought something was wierd, as my 7th (little) leaf was seperate or loose. I was wondering what the heck was going on. I replaced it with a 7 leaf VB&P steel spring, so I didnt think much of it or really care. Thanks!!

KapsSA

Original on my white79

The bottom leaf is kind of an optical illusion in the photo.

cherrybombc3

I see you have the differential heat shield also. Is that original or aftermarket?

KapsSA

Also original.

Kalway

Not ALL gymkhana suspension packages are 6/7 leaf springs.

In 1981 they were 9 leaf springs! Ask me how I know.

hunt4cleanair

I believe one contributor underscore the fact that FE7 and Gymkhana are one in the same. In 1970, F41 was superceded by Z07 until 74. In 74 both FE7 and Z07 are offered and than in 75, only the FE7 was offerer as an option.

Chevrolet high-performance suspension options generally included front coil spring, rear leaf spring, front and rear stabilizer bar and shocks. The Z07 also included the J50 heavy duty brakes but no rear stabilizer bar. The FE7 from 75-82 included a rear stabilzer bar. The 74 version of FE7 did not include the rear stabilizer bar.

All RPO options included a front coil spring rated at 550 lb/inch while the rear leaf spring varied during the FE7 years due to the growing weight of the Corvette. In 78 (and 79), the leaf spring was 6 leafs and from 80-82 it grew to 9 leafs. In 74-77 it was 7 leafs...same as the F41.

F41 shocks (rear) included only one part number while FE7 offered four different part numbers depending on the model year. Fronts were not as complicated.

Glassbowtie77

My AIM shows F41 as an option in 1977.

75 Hot One

Don't want to nit-pic but the Z07 was available in 1975 (last year). It was the same as the FE7 except it had heavy duty brakes also.

rihwoods

81 vettes were lighter..hence rear spring rate reduction...