C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Rear Coil overs

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 11:55 AM
  #1  
sly vette's Avatar
sly vette
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Default Rear Coil overs

I know that a few have done this mod, and since I will be pulling the body off I thought this would be a good time to approach this project. I did a search but all I came up with was info on the front. Can any
one point me in the right direction for the mounts I will need for the rears??
Also has any one ever made their own control arms for the front???
Thanks in advance,
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 12:39 PM
  #2  
Godfathers Ghost's Avatar
Godfathers Ghost
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Onley VA
Default

Originally Posted by sly vette
I know that a few have done this mod, and since I will be pulling the body off I thought this would be a good time to approach this project. I did a search but all I came up with was info on the front. Can any
one point me in the right direction for the mounts I will need for the rears??
Also has any one ever made their own control arms for the front???
Thanks in advance,
Check with QA1 motorsports. they have some of the best coil-overs out there and although I dont think they have a set specifcaly for C3's, I spoke with them just last week about customs and they said all they need to know is the type of ends you need (mounts), extended and compressed lengths, and the aprox. corner weights. But you are gonna have to check clearance for the spring, its kinda tight with the control arm down low and the battery box up high. I'm not sure about it, I converted to a fourth-gen 5 link with a VB&P dual mount spring and bilsteins. Let me know how it looks, you got me curious now.
Good luck
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 12:48 PM
  #3  
sly vette's Avatar
sly vette
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Default

Some one sent me a pic that showed roughly how they mounted the rears. There was a tall reinforced bracket coming up from the rear of the TAs as the lower shock mount with just ears, I believe for the top. I didn't get into clearance issues. Now I can't remember who it was. I hope they will see this and chime in!
Do you know any one who has made their own control arms for the front???
Trying to save as much cash on this mod as poss.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 01:08 PM
  #4  
Godfathers Ghost's Avatar
Godfathers Ghost
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Onley VA
Default

Oh yeah, about the control arms. There's too many good after makets available to worry about it...VB&P, Speed Direct's aluminum uppers, Jim Meyer racing, there's more but I can't think of em all. If you really want to make them your self use the factory arms to get dimentions, make a plate to bolt the ball joint to, weld it to tubing with threaded ends for some rod ends. You will probably have to use high misalignment rod ends. Add some extra pieces to the lowers for spring/shock mounts, a bump stop, and your bassically done. Just make them STRONG, your life depends on it. You can get most every thing you need from chassisshop.com
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 01:55 PM
  #5  
zaphodbebullbrox's Avatar
zaphodbebullbrox
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Default rear coil overs

check out speed direct

http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=132
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 01:59 PM
  #6  
sly vette's Avatar
sly vette
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Default

Thank you but I am familiar with Speed Direct...And their prices and that is my prob...I can't afford the parts, gotta' try to make 'em.
Thanks for the heads up though!!
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 09:16 PM
  #7  
Bob3700's Avatar
Bob3700
Racer
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
Default Front Arms

SLY,

What is your goal for those front a-arms? Lighter wt, better front end geometry or just cool looks?

You can cut the senter out of a stock arm to make it lighter.

You could look at the conversions that adapt later model aluminum arms to a C3.

I had a set on my old GT-1 car that were modified for lighter wt. and to help clearance for front coil overs. They cut the center out of the arm, welded in tubular front and rear pieces, and manufactured the frame attach bushing area. They were cheap, light, and ugly. But they worked.

Bob
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 09:29 PM
  #8  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default

I'm the guy with the rear coilovers and I posted the picture.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 09:30 PM
  #9  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default

Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 09:48 PM
  #10  
73-84 IMSA Widebody's Avatar
73-84 IMSA Widebody
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 0
From: Youngstown Ohio
Default

Hey Norval, did you put that system together or is it available?

Sly, I hope you at least take a good look at whats available aftermarket, you can pick some good stuff up cheap. I think most on here have learned hard lessons about fabricateing. If you are truely good at it, bless you, few of us really are. If not key components and assemblies that have some experience and engineering behind them save headaches and money.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 10:03 PM
  #11  
Ironcross's Avatar
Ironcross
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Default

We do it all from stock including control arms and complete frames. Sideways mounted coil overs dont excite me. Put a 9 in. Ford in it with coil overs and a 4 link. If you can make control arms, a narrowed Ford rear wouldn`t be a problem.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2007 | 10:21 PM
  #12  
68 NJConv 454's Avatar
68 NJConv 454
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Default

Norval and TT both designed and built their custom rear coilover setups. Both are different in design and both members are gifted with knowledge and a welder.
Norval used a trailing arm, TT built his own rear control arm A frames.
Both very

What is that speeddirect rear system going for? I can't imagine its under 2k. They are rediculous with their prices. Cool design though, kudos to them for thinking outside the box.
I knew it was is the design phase, didn't know it was released to the public. Wonder how it performed in their test car.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 09:19 AM
  #13  
sly vette's Avatar
sly vette
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
I'm the guy with the rear coilovers and I posted the picture.
Hi Norval, Welcome back I hear you were on vacation. Or do you say Holiday in Canada?
Anyway...How much work am I looking at to do this mod.
The rears are what I am going to focus on at this time.
Did you just mount the shock on the lower factory mount and then fab some ears for the top?
Do you mount the shock at full extension?
Thanks for any help, and I haven't been able to do much on the trans swap due to the cold,but I'm ready to go at any time. Bernie has been helping alot!!!
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 09:30 AM
  #14  
norvalwilhelm's Avatar
norvalwilhelm
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Default

The shock must be the 5 inch travel shock, the 7 inch will not fit. This 5 inches gives you 7 inches of wheel travel.
The stock top mount is in the right location but I cut it off and made a much beefier one but welded it right back in the stock location.
I then made bottom mounts, I could take good pictures of it now with the car on blocks and the wheels off.
I welded this mount to the trailing arm infront of the 1/2 shafts. I used nothing from the stock lower shock mount.
If you need pictures I can do that this weekend.
I then used 450 pound springs which are still soft in this location
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 11:55 AM
  #15  
sly vette's Avatar
sly vette
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
Default

Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
The shock must be the 5 inch travel shock, the 7 inch will not fit. This 5 inches gives you 7 inches of wheel travel.
The stock top mount is in the right location but I cut it off and made a much beefier one but welded it right back in the stock location.
I then made bottom mounts, I could take good pictures of it now with the car on blocks and the wheels off.
I welded this mount to the trailing arm infront of the 1/2 shafts. I used nothing from the stock lower shock mount.
If you need pictures I can do that this weekend.
I then used 450 pound springs which are still soft in this location
Pic are always a welcome addition. And any measurements that you may remember.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 12:57 PM
  #16  
yellow 72's Avatar
yellow 72
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Default

Originally Posted by sly vette
Pic are always a welcome addition. And any measurements that you may remember.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 01:24 PM
  #17  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default

...ze germanz alzo did it like zis





Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Rear Coil overs

Old Feb 9, 2007 | 01:47 PM
  #18  
big_G's Avatar
big_G
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Default

TT, you have my attention....any rear view pics. to see tire/ground clearance issues?
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 02:55 PM
  #19  
68 NJConv 454's Avatar
68 NJConv 454
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Default

Originally Posted by big_G
TT, you have my attention....any rear view pics. to see tire/ground clearance issues?
Me too!
There must be modifications to the battery and storage boxes. Which is a small price to pay for rear coilovers.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2007 | 03:27 PM
  #20  
Twin_Turbo's Avatar
Twin_Turbo
Race Director
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Default

no mods 1st pic shows coil over mounted to stock mount. Ground clearance is just like Norvals setup.

Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:27 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE