Shocks/Springs recommendations?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Shocks/Springs recommendations?
I have to get some "Front End" work on my 68 done. I will need new springs and shocks. Any recommendations?
Olivier
Olivier
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,389
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (GrandSportC3)
since you asked, i'll throw in my $.02. i went with the 460# VB springs in the front of my '81 and have been happy with them. you don't mention which engine you have and the car is obviously custom so no way to even guess. if it's a big block, your on your own. i'm going to assume it's a small block so i vote for the 460# springs. i've been wanting to switch over to the VB transverse leaf spring but too much $$ right now.
as for shocks, i hear good things about bilstein although i haven't run them. i'm running konis, which i wouldn't recommend. the konis i bought were supposed to be 'five-way adjustable', turns out they're more like two way adjustable--hard and really, really hard!
as for shocks, i hear good things about bilstein although i haven't run them. i'm running konis, which i wouldn't recommend. the konis i bought were supposed to be 'five-way adjustable', turns out they're more like two way adjustable--hard and really, really hard!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (GrandSportC3)
If you aren't racing the car, you might want to consider lesser springs for a small block. Richard Newton's book states that the standard springs were only 280#. I'm wondering if Clutchdust's 460# springs aren't so stout that he cannot feel the adjustments of his shocks.
I hope more people respond to this, because I need suspension work too (front and back).
:flag
I hope more people respond to this, because I need suspension work too (front and back).
:flag
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Burlington NC
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (foundvettelifeisgood)
Not sure as to how everything is going to work out, I'm still in the process of rebuilding mine.
However, I was looking for a modest improvement in handeling with good streetability, not to mention I was on a budget. I'm not interested in racing, autocross, or the like.
I opted for the 460# coils from VetteBrakes and the GR2 shocks from KYB. If the weather holds out, hopefully I'll finish mine next week.
David
However, I was looking for a modest improvement in handeling with good streetability, not to mention I was on a budget. I'm not interested in racing, autocross, or the like.
I opted for the 460# coils from VetteBrakes and the GR2 shocks from KYB. If the weather holds out, hopefully I'll finish mine next week.
David
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (clutchdust)
For performance 77 FE-7 is great for 68-77 w/ VB rear equil. for less wt.
68-72 may want 73 up body mount bushings for less squeaking that some complain about on 68-72. GM Performance shocks will work fine.
:cool:
68-72 may want 73 up body mount bushings for less squeaking that some complain about on 68-72. GM Performance shocks will work fine.
:cool:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (clutchdust)
>> i went with the 460# VB springs in the front of my '81 and have been happy
>> with them. you don't mention which engine you have and the car is obviously
>>custom so no way to even guess.
Currently I am running a 327. I would estimate the power to approx. 300 - 350 HP. I am planning to either put some more high performance bolt ons on the engine or change the engine to a 383 - 450 HP Stroker enging.
>>if it's a big block, your on your own. i'm going to assume it's a small block so i vote
>>for the 460# springs. i've been wanting to switch over to the VB transverse leaf spring
>>but too much $$ right now.
>>as for shocks, i hear good things about bilstein although i haven't run them. i'm running
>>konis, which i wouldn't recommend. the konis i bought were supposed to be 'five-way
>>adjustable', turns out they're more like two way adjustable--hard and really, really hard!
How much are those Bilstein's?
Thanks
Olivier
>> with them. you don't mention which engine you have and the car is obviously
>>custom so no way to even guess.
Currently I am running a 327. I would estimate the power to approx. 300 - 350 HP. I am planning to either put some more high performance bolt ons on the engine or change the engine to a 383 - 450 HP Stroker enging.
>>if it's a big block, your on your own. i'm going to assume it's a small block so i vote
>>for the 460# springs. i've been wanting to switch over to the VB transverse leaf spring
>>but too much $$ right now.
>>as for shocks, i hear good things about bilstein although i haven't run them. i'm running
>>konis, which i wouldn't recommend. the konis i bought were supposed to be 'five-way
>>adjustable', turns out they're more like two way adjustable--hard and really, really hard!
How much are those Bilstein's?
Thanks
Olivier
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (foundvettelifeisgood)
>>If you aren't racing the car, you might want to consider lesser springs for a small block.
When I will be 100% finished with the car I want to take it occasionally to the Drag Strip.
>>Richard Newton's book states that the standard springs were only 280#. I'm wondering
>>if Clutchdust's 460# springs aren't so stout that he cannot feel the adjustments of his shocks.
I like my springs to be a little on the harder side!
Olivier
When I will be 100% finished with the car I want to take it occasionally to the Drag Strip.
>>Richard Newton's book states that the standard springs were only 280#. I'm wondering
>>if Clutchdust's 460# springs aren't so stout that he cannot feel the adjustments of his shocks.
I like my springs to be a little on the harder side!
Olivier
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (DavidOrr)
>>I opted for the 460# coils from VetteBrakes
I was thinking in using 550# springs - but they may be a little hard.
>>and the GR2 shocks from KYB.
My mechanic recommended those shocks!
Olivier
I was thinking in using 550# springs - but they may be a little hard.
>>and the GR2 shocks from KYB.
My mechanic recommended those shocks!
Olivier
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (ZD75blue)
>>dont have any comments except... holy shnikes man... thats a duntov 80 in your sig
>>Do you actually drive that thing?
I drive my Duntov at least once or twice a week. (Usually on weekends). 3 weeks ago my parents were visiting
and I left my daily driver (DODGE INTREPID) with them and drove the Duntov every day to work.(35 miles each way) (For 2 weeks)
I am actually planning to sell the Duntov Vette and focus on finishing my 68.
Olivier
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 10:16 AM 2/9/2002]
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 10:28 AM 2/9/2002]
>>Do you actually drive that thing?
I drive my Duntov at least once or twice a week. (Usually on weekends). 3 weeks ago my parents were visiting
and I left my daily driver (DODGE INTREPID) with them and drove the Duntov every day to work.(35 miles each way) (For 2 weeks)
I am actually planning to sell the Duntov Vette and focus on finishing my 68.
Olivier
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 10:16 AM 2/9/2002]
[Modified by GrandSportC3, 10:28 AM 2/9/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (GrandSportC3)
I saved my pennies and went with the VB transverse adjustable fiberglass springs front and rear with Bilstien shocks. I should be rolling very soon but as of right now can not speak to its performance from experience. Sure looks sweat though
:cheers:
:cheers:
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (ScubaJKD)
>>I saved my pennies and went with the VB transverse adjustable fiberglass springs front and
>>rear with Bilstien shocks. I should be rolling very soon but as of right now can not speak to
>> its performance from experience.
This sounds like a great but expencive setup!
Olivier
>>rear with Bilstien shocks. I should be rolling very soon but as of right now can not speak to
>> its performance from experience.
This sounds like a great but expencive setup!
Olivier
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (GrandSportC3)
I installed the 460# springs from Vette Brakes in our 75 coupe. After getting it back on the road, I found that I needed to install the matching fiberglass rear spring to take advantage of the heavier front coils. Very satisfied with the combination. I certainly would not go with any heavier rated springs for driving on the street. Fiberglass rear springs requires special shocks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 1
From: Frankfurt, Taunus Hills
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (GrandSportC3)
I would recommend to do all four shocks!
Otherwise it is possible that if your rear shocks are shot your tail will be first at the end of the fast corner!!!
I have VB&P´s transverse fiberglass springs in the front and rear - whoa, what a ride!!!
A friend of mine uses the 550 lbs VB&P springs in front and a fiberglas spring 330 lbs in the rear along with Bilstein shocks.
Great ride also, not mushy comfortable, lots of short responses from the road, but very tight in corners, super control in cornering - very good vehicle response!
I can offer you to take a look in mid march - I will fly over to Miami on March 14th.
If interested, drop me a mail! :cheers:
Otherwise it is possible that if your rear shocks are shot your tail will be first at the end of the fast corner!!!
I have VB&P´s transverse fiberglass springs in the front and rear - whoa, what a ride!!!
A friend of mine uses the 550 lbs VB&P springs in front and a fiberglas spring 330 lbs in the rear along with Bilstein shocks.
Great ride also, not mushy comfortable, lots of short responses from the road, but very tight in corners, super control in cornering - very good vehicle response!
I can offer you to take a look in mid march - I will fly over to Miami on March 14th.
If interested, drop me a mail! :cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (GrandSportC3)
If your inteterested in this setup you can view it at my website. You can also talk to Monty forum member who has been running this setup for sometime now.
:cheers:
[Modified by ScubaJKD, 5:15 PM 2/9/2002]
:cheers:
[Modified by ScubaJKD, 5:15 PM 2/9/2002]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (454Big)
>>I would recommend to do all four shocks!
>>Otherwise it is possible that if your rear shocks are shot your tail will be >>first at the end of the fast corner!!!
I will replace the front springs first and then I will see how the car drives. If I won't like the setup - I will change the rear springs too!
>>I have VB&P´s transverse fiberglass springs in the front and rear - whoa,
>>what a ride!!!
Those are really great, but I don't want to spend that much money!
I have already approx. $30k in my 68 an it is by far not finished....
>>A friend of mine uses the 550 lbs VB&P springs in front and a fiberglas
>>spring 330 lbs in the rear along with Bilstein shocks.
>>Great ride also, not mushy comfortable, lots of short responses from the
>>road, but very tight in corners, super control in cornering - very good
>>vehicle response!
I was thinking in a similar setup!
>>I can offer you to take a look in mid march - I will fly over to Miami on
>>March 14th. If interested, drop me a mail!
I want to get the front end work done within 2 - 3 weeks... However - it would be great if we could meet when you are in Florida:
BTW: Ich bin ein in Florida lebender Oesterreicher!!
Herzliche Gruesse nach Deutschland!
Olivier
>>Otherwise it is possible that if your rear shocks are shot your tail will be >>first at the end of the fast corner!!!
I will replace the front springs first and then I will see how the car drives. If I won't like the setup - I will change the rear springs too!
>>I have VB&P´s transverse fiberglass springs in the front and rear - whoa,
>>what a ride!!!
Those are really great, but I don't want to spend that much money!
I have already approx. $30k in my 68 an it is by far not finished....
>>A friend of mine uses the 550 lbs VB&P springs in front and a fiberglas
>>spring 330 lbs in the rear along with Bilstein shocks.
>>Great ride also, not mushy comfortable, lots of short responses from the
>>road, but very tight in corners, super control in cornering - very good
>>vehicle response!
I was thinking in a similar setup!
>>I can offer you to take a look in mid march - I will fly over to Miami on
>>March 14th. If interested, drop me a mail!
I want to get the front end work done within 2 - 3 weeks... However - it would be great if we could meet when you are in Florida:
BTW: Ich bin ein in Florida lebender Oesterreicher!!
Herzliche Gruesse nach Deutschland!
Olivier
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (ScubaJKD)
>>If your inteterested in this setup you can view it at my website. You can
>>also talk to Monty forum member who has been running this setup for
>>sometime now
This setup sound great but would blast my budget. I don't want to spend more then $1500 for the whole front end rebuild (including labor). My mechanic charges $580 for labor to rebuild the front end. I am wondering if this is cheap or expencive?
Olivier
>>also talk to Monty forum member who has been running this setup for
>>sometime now
This setup sound great but would blast my budget. I don't want to spend more then $1500 for the whole front end rebuild (including labor). My mechanic charges $580 for labor to rebuild the front end. I am wondering if this is cheap or expencive?
Olivier
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,389
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (foundvettelifeisgood)
in response, the springs went on last year, the konis went on four years ago. for three years i was running the stock springs with the konis. they are still hard. for a street car, i think i would like a spring somewhere in the 350-400# range but i don't know of any available. 280# is just too soft for a corvette, it's more of a camaro rate (if you ask me). for a car like mine that sees almost as much track time as street time, the 460# springs are about the best 'compromise'.
mossman, let me know what you think of that transverse leaf spring set up when you get it, that is on my wish list and i would like to get feedback from those who have been there.
mossman, let me know what you think of that transverse leaf spring set up when you get it, that is on my wish list and i would like to get feedback from those who have been there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia 1985 Coupe
Re: Shocks/Springs recommendations? (GrandSportC3)
I put 490lb in front and it wasn't overly stiff. I have just replaced my tired old 9 leaf for a 300lb (steel) and it comliments it nicely. Before, the back was too bouncy.