78 suspension
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
78 suspension
I have a 78 and want to upgrade the suspension but dont know where to start? Does anyone out there know of any good kits availiable for a guy with slighty above average mechanical skills? Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Vette Brakes and Products makes a number of kits depending on what you want to do. They are a very good Supplier, look over their website then give their Tech line a call and tell them what you want to do with the car. 78's 
Gary
http://www.vbandp.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=370
Gary
http://www.vbandp.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=370
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Here's what I've done that has made a world of difference.
1. Composite rear spring. I went with a #330 but wish I had the #360.
2. Bilsteins Sports on all four corners.
3. Smart struts for easier alignment and IMHO a better solution overall.
4. Cut 1 coil off the front stock spring for a better stance. Better yet, go with replacement #550's.
5. Ensure your rear side yokes are not work or have excessive play.
6. Upgrade to 17" rims and tires. Quieter, smoother and handles great.
Still to do:
Install a Rack & Pinion system to replace the control valve system. I've already replaced the control valve but want an even tighter system.
Obviously, you can do more, like a composite front spring, the dual mount rear spring set up, etc. Depends on how much $ and how radical you want to go.
1. Composite rear spring. I went with a #330 but wish I had the #360.
2. Bilsteins Sports on all four corners.
3. Smart struts for easier alignment and IMHO a better solution overall.
4. Cut 1 coil off the front stock spring for a better stance. Better yet, go with replacement #550's.
5. Ensure your rear side yokes are not work or have excessive play.
6. Upgrade to 17" rims and tires. Quieter, smoother and handles great.
Still to do:
Install a Rack & Pinion system to replace the control valve system. I've already replaced the control valve but want an even tighter system.
Obviously, you can do more, like a composite front spring, the dual mount rear spring set up, etc. Depends on how much $ and how radical you want to go.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I have heard that the Corvette Monospring Kit for the front end is a good way to go. My understanding is that it is basically the C4 suspension in a C3. If I were to combine this with a #360 monospring in the rear do you think it would handle well?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I have made many progressive changes to my 78 L-82 4spd over the last 26 years:
Front end:
1. Poly control arm bushings, upper and lower control arms.
2. Poly sway bar mounting bushings and end link bushings, 1 1/8 in stock F-41 sway bar.
3. New 550 Coil springs, 1 in shorter, Mid America
4. Bilstein HD Shocks, poly bushings for upper mount.
5. Blue printed rebuilt stock steering box.
6. SLP 17 in direct replacement rims, 255/45/17 ZR tires
Rear:
1. 360 monospring with poly mounting bushings
2. Heim joint adjustable strut rods
3. Bilstein Sport Shocks (30% stiffer than the Bilstein HD's)
4. 3/4 in rear sway bar with poly mounting bushings, replacing 7/16 in stock bar
5. SLP direct replacement 17 in rims with 255/50/17 ZR tires, 1 in taller than 245/45/17's in front.
6. Overall stance of the car is now about 2.5-3 inches higher in the back than the front, which eliminates the rear squat in the 78/79 cars.
The overall effect is to totally transform the handling, steering, and ride of my car from the way the car came from the factory. It drives, handles, and steers like a modern sports car totally eliminating the vague steering, fair handling, and poor ride of the stock suspension. Hope that this helps!
Jeff
Front end:
1. Poly control arm bushings, upper and lower control arms.
2. Poly sway bar mounting bushings and end link bushings, 1 1/8 in stock F-41 sway bar.
3. New 550 Coil springs, 1 in shorter, Mid America
4. Bilstein HD Shocks, poly bushings for upper mount.
5. Blue printed rebuilt stock steering box.
6. SLP 17 in direct replacement rims, 255/45/17 ZR tires
Rear:
1. 360 monospring with poly mounting bushings
2. Heim joint adjustable strut rods
3. Bilstein Sport Shocks (30% stiffer than the Bilstein HD's)
4. 3/4 in rear sway bar with poly mounting bushings, replacing 7/16 in stock bar
5. SLP direct replacement 17 in rims with 255/50/17 ZR tires, 1 in taller than 245/45/17's in front.
6. Overall stance of the car is now about 2.5-3 inches higher in the back than the front, which eliminates the rear squat in the 78/79 cars.
The overall effect is to totally transform the handling, steering, and ride of my car from the way the car came from the factory. It drives, handles, and steers like a modern sports car totally eliminating the vague steering, fair handling, and poor ride of the stock suspension. Hope that this helps!
Jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
Here's what I've done that has made a world of difference.
1. Composite rear spring. I went with a #330 but wish I had the #360.
2. Bilsteins Sports on all four corners.
3. Smart struts for easier alignment and IMHO a better solution overall.
4. Cut 1 coil off the front stock spring for a better stance. Better yet, go with replacement #550's.
5. Ensure your rear side yokes are not work or have excessive play.
6. Upgrade to 17" rims and tires. Quieter, smoother and handles great.
Still to do:
Install a Rack & Pinion system to replace the control valve system. I've already replaced the control valve but want an even tighter system.
Obviously, you can do more, like a composite front spring, the dual mount rear spring set up, etc. Depends on how much $ and how radical you want to go.
1. Composite rear spring. I went with a #330 but wish I had the #360.
2. Bilsteins Sports on all four corners.
3. Smart struts for easier alignment and IMHO a better solution overall.
4. Cut 1 coil off the front stock spring for a better stance. Better yet, go with replacement #550's.
5. Ensure your rear side yokes are not work or have excessive play.
6. Upgrade to 17" rims and tires. Quieter, smoother and handles great.
Still to do:
Install a Rack & Pinion system to replace the control valve system. I've already replaced the control valve but want an even tighter system.
Obviously, you can do more, like a composite front spring, the dual mount rear spring set up, etc. Depends on how much $ and how radical you want to go.
This is the way to go... right here, just do it, you will be happy!again, WHAT?????
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