coil overs
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: everywhere confusion
coil overs
has anyone put coilovers on their car? other than sharkbites? just asking because my buddy's got some on his car and they made a tremendous difference in handling, but he may be taking them off to sell his car.(poor guys getting married
!) just trying to get an idea of the handling improvement i would get if i went that route.
!) just trying to get an idea of the handling improvement i would get if i went that route.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Marietta Georgia
I have coil overs on all four (4) corners - I love them. BUT...
Unless they came off of another Corvette (your post wasn't clear), they may not work (wrong spring rate, wrong length, etc.). You will need to make custom brackets and rework the strut rod mounting points to mount them in the rear. A couple of vendors sell all inclusive rear coil-over "kits" but they come with everything from the trailing arms to the coil overs themselves. I am not aware of anyone selling pre-made brackets/parts to mount them in the rear.
The fronts take some work if you keep the stock a-arms (I have tubular a-arms) but its pretty straight forward. You can search the QA1, Autofab, Summit, etc. websites to find the "specs" on the correct replacements for the front and then compare to what your friend has.
A lot of work, but I think the results are worth it IF your car is more than a daily driver. They also look cool if that's important to you too.
Unless they came off of another Corvette (your post wasn't clear), they may not work (wrong spring rate, wrong length, etc.). You will need to make custom brackets and rework the strut rod mounting points to mount them in the rear. A couple of vendors sell all inclusive rear coil-over "kits" but they come with everything from the trailing arms to the coil overs themselves. I am not aware of anyone selling pre-made brackets/parts to mount them in the rear.
The fronts take some work if you keep the stock a-arms (I have tubular a-arms) but its pretty straight forward. You can search the QA1, Autofab, Summit, etc. websites to find the "specs" on the correct replacements for the front and then compare to what your friend has.
A lot of work, but I think the results are worth it IF your car is more than a daily driver. They also look cool if that's important to you too.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
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From: everywhere confusion
looking cool is always important! right??? thanks for the reply i'll be checking the spring rate and length hopefully this weekend. Thats a huge help and your right they are not coming off a vette but they were very expensive and he would basiclly be giving them away so id figure id check just in case.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
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From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
What car are they coming off? Are these true coilovers or semi-coilovers (with the tapered spring)? The lower front shock mount is different on Corvettes but they can usually be changed depending on the manufacturer of the shock.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Marietta Georgia
looking cool is always important! right??? thanks for the reply i'll be checking the spring rate and length hopefully this weekend. Thats a huge help and your right they are not coming off a vette but they were very expensive and he would basiclly be giving them away so id figure id check just in case.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Marietta Georgia
Agree with the thoughts above. I thought I could be a little more helpful - my fronts are QA1 GMP-4350s. Doing this by memory, but I think they are 8.75" compressed and 12" extended. You do want semi-coil-overs for LESS hassle mounting them in the front. The paperwork for my real coil overs is with my car at my friend's shop - still working on my "winter" project.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
In addition to spring rates and lengths (both full droop and full bump), there's dampening requirements to consider. If the corner weights aren't in the ball park from vehicle to vehicle, or if the wheel rate relationship (c/o locations relative to control arms and wheels) aren't close, or the unsprung weights are significantly different, the valving won't match up to your application.
TSW
TSW
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Jul 31, 2009 at 01:46 AM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: everywhere confusion
these are kw coilovers from his s2000 (2800lbs vs 3300lbs) . i didnt know if they would work but from the sounds of it i think i might just be better off buying something thats more of a bolt on application instead of messing with these. thanks for all the input, you guys probably saved me alot more money in the long run.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 429
Likes: 0
From: Marietta Georgia
They definitely would be for road racing. These springs work fine right now. I have also been fussing with different spring rates on the rear, so since my car is apart again (new brakes, exhaust, etc.), I haven't been able to "dial it in," they definitely could change. I am also planning an LS transplant, so the lighter motor could change everything again. You know, things are never "done" with our C3s. Stay tuned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
On the front spring rates for road racing with OEM geometry and a SB lump, IMCO 550's are on the light side and I'd recommend you at least consider testing with something around 700#. Stiffer fronts help counter dive under severe braking, and require less bar to boot. IMCO, any minor loss of comfort shouldn't be a concern once you get serious to track your car anyway.
