Im wanting to (this summer when I can afford it) upgrade my front and rear suspension, Im wanting to replace all of my bushings and put stiffer springs and front and rear sway bars

Im wanting to make the car (74 L48) less floaty and handle better in corners, I just need help in finding springs ans sway bars, Im wanting to keep the same ride height (maybe lower an inch or so in the front MAX). but Im VERY new to suspension, what is the stock spring?

Ive been looking for some online but don't I need to worry about height? all Im finding are springs that tell me how much they are rated for, or do I buy them and cut to desired height with all springs?

what would be a good spring for me? I want a noticeable difference in stifness but the same if not lower ride height.

also, what would be a reasonable amount to be expected to invest in this type of project?

Thanks guys

Miles

 

New bushings and shocks will make Very noticable change if yours is old. Have you looked at the kits from Ecklers and VBP? they have pretty good descriptions to tell you what your getting and the prices are resonable. The work isn't all that hard. One to look for is MOOG or TRW ball joints and rod ends, most of the other stuff is junk. You can gather up the parts, will cost more but your garonteed to get the parts you want.

 

are the kits from Ecklers and VBP from MOOG and TRW?

also what about the ride height issue?

Miles

 

Used some VBand P 550s lowered the car 3/4 of an inch and stiffened up the car.
You need to look at your bushings makes a big difference check for Moog parts.

 

I highly recommend the front monospring conversion in front and composite rear spring. I got mine from Vette Brakes & Products (VBP) - a Corvette Forum sponsor. If you go with poly on other parts, be sure to lube them with silicone (I think) grease so they won't squeak.

If you upgrade to heavier springs, I recommend the 1 1/8" sway bar in the front, but I don't recommend a rear sway bar. I had a rear sway bar but took it off. Search for rear sway bar for opinions pro and con.

 

We carry MOOG. Take a look at this thread for a link to our front end rebuild kits. This will give you an idea on pricing although these kits are on sale right now. THis is from my sticky thread up top.

We also have the front 550# springs to lower the car.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...er-a-arms.html

 

I did all this and made a significant improvement in handling for the street:

Front
460lb spring with 3/4 turn cut for 1.5inch lowering
Bilstein Sport shocks
MOOG Upper/Lower Balljoints
MOOG Rubber bushings (No squeaking for me)
VPB Rack Attack R&P steering
New poly swaybar end links

Rear
260lb 9 leaf HD steel spring 2.5 inch wide
Bilstein Sport shocks
Poly bushings on batwing to frame mount
Poly bushings on differential front mount
New rebuilt trailing arms with new bearings
New rebuilt rear with new side yokes
C4 10 inch rear lowering bolts cut down to 9 inch for 1.5inch lowering

Alignment to fall in between VBP recommended daily driver and advanced street settings.

http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/h...ruct/align.htm

If I end up keeping the C3 (it's for sale) I'll go with 17/18 combo tires with the LS1/4L60E motor conversion.

B.

 

Just got this kit from VBP. Hoping for some good weather, looked at a bunch of different kits and this one was my best choice for the money and favorable reports from other buyers.

 

That'll do the job. Play around with the front spring a bit to find the right combo of ride and handling.

 

if you don't know, do some reading on this site and then call vb and p or one of the other surporting venders. i have vb and p 550 front springs, new poly bushings, rear trw composite springs, lowering rear bolts, and front and rear bilstien sport shocks. of course i have factory sway bars front and rear.

 

As a minimum I would try and F-41 suspension and do not forget a good quality shock. I went with Bilstein sport shocks. Although I did like the Koni I previously had. F-41 is sold by a number of dealers and will lower your car about 1” in the front. I have tried higher rate springs and did not like them (I even tried the Daytona suspension).

This assumes all ball joints, tie rods, etc are in good shape. Many guys love those big sway bars. I never did. I think it makes the car understeer too much.

Anyway I have a black 1969. My current and recent modifications:

Suspension: Just redone. Powder coated the control arms and put in new Moog ball joints and Guldstrand Solid bushings. All other parts HD Moog. New anti-bump steer kit on the tie rods. New springs also. Ditched the Daytona springs and have new F-41 springs. New Bilsteins all around. Aluminum block and Heim Jointed Sway Bar Links for the sway bar.

Brakes: Dual pin calipers, powder coated and stainless steel sleeves. New ATE Super Blue brake fluid and Hawk pads, stainless steel brake lines.

Rear: Rear Suspension Locating Kit, Spherical Metal Joints & Sleeves for the control arms, and Guldstrand rear camber threaded bars.


PS: I do like to Time Trial the car at Pocono and Lime Rock and hope to try Lightning and Thunder bolt. I miss the Bridgehampton raceway. Hope this helps.