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Front Monoleaf ???

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Old Jan 30, 2012 | 10:36 AM
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Default Front Monoleaf ???

Hey Everybody,

It's been awhile since I've been on here. I was deployed last summer and been caught up in a new job search so Vette time has been limited. Now I am back to my suspension upgrade project. Been looking at a few kits from various vendors and I am a bit overwhelmed

I have some questions about the front monoleaf conversion. The car is mostly for fun, cruising the back roads, but I would like to be able to do an autocross or track day event every now and then.

1) Does it noticeably improve the handling, VS better coil springs and shocks.

2) Will ride height be affected? May do different wheels in the future.

3) Any other considerations?

Thanks for the help!
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Old Jan 30, 2012 | 10:43 AM
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The ride height and spring rate are totally adjustable. You can change either one in a matter of a few minutes. I have had mine for a couple of years now and like it a lot. I also have the rear dual mount system which is also adjustable.
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Old Jan 30, 2012 | 07:04 PM
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I have it on my '82 and it is everything GordonM said. Pretty much day and night compared to stock.
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Old Jan 30, 2012 | 09:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
The ride height and spring rate are totally adjustable. You can change either one in a matter of a few minutes. I have had mine for a couple of years now and like it a lot. I also have the rear dual mount system which is also adjustable.
Originally Posted by SuprJames
I have it on my '82 and it is everything GordonM said. Pretty much day and night compared to stock.
I agree with both posters. The conversion kit might not be as effective as the complete kit because it still uses the stock lower A-arm, but I still notice a big difference over the Gymkhana-equivilent coils I had.

I saw even more improvement when I switched from KYB gas shocks to Bilstein Sport shocks this summer. I think they made a significant difference because I normally drive with the front mono spring set to it's next-to-highest spring rate. I plan to switch to the highest rate this summer and try some low keyed autocrossing.

I also like the ride height control it gives me. I have the front lowered as far as I dare go without rubbing somewhere.

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Old Jan 30, 2012 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
The ride height and spring rate are totally adjustable. You can change either one in a matter of a few minutes. I have had mine for a couple of years now and like it a lot. I also have the rear dual mount system which is also adjustable.


I went from 550lb front coils to the monoleaf, and it works great. I did notice that it handled just as well without the "harshness" that the coils had. Very happy with it.

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Old Jan 30, 2012 | 10:46 PM
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Thanks for the input and clearing up some of the fog in my head. I think I am going to put this on the list for my suspension rebuild.

You get in front of the computer searching these vendors and POOF its 1 am and you're wondering how you got there!

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Old Jan 30, 2012 | 11:18 PM
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I just picked up a 75 will the kit on it. Looks good and ride height is correct. From Van Steel.
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Old Jan 31, 2012 | 12:51 AM
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I guess that I'm the only NAY SAYER Many years ago I was looking into all the options. The front mono does not have high enough spring rates
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Old Jan 31, 2012 | 07:46 AM
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gkull, do you recall the spring rates, By chance?
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Old Jan 31, 2012 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Indiancreek
gkull, do you recall the spring rates, By chance?
We should get the correct numbers from one of the proud owners It seemed to me that the stiffest setting was under 400 pounds, but maybe I'm off a little.

I was thinking of how to best describe what the pound rate you need for a given vehicle. The best I could come up with was you don't want to bottom out your suspension.

I also think that you can't take any C-3 - C-6 ZO6 to a track with stock brakes. The c-3 will have complete brake failure in a couple of laps on a tough track and your c-6 z51 optioned models will not make it 1/2 way through a track session. I was very dissapointed in my first track day driving a new c-6. I turned off the traction control and the lady owner wanted to see what her ZO6 could do. First lap I ran at 90% to get the feel of the limits. You could smell brake smoke. second lap the interior was filling with brake and tire smoke. I did not want to end the ladies day of her High performance driving school. Because I don't believe that the brakes would have lasted another couple of laps. So I pulled into the pits to let her drive
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Old Jan 31, 2012 | 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by gkull
I guess that I'm the only NAY SAYER Many years ago I was looking into all the options. The front mono does not have high enough spring rates
I've read a lot of your posts. Your demands on suspension and brakes exceed mine by orders of magnitude.

The front monospring in its next-to-highest rate is the equivalent to Gymkhana springs, and the highest rate setting is more. That is more than enough stiffness for my driving. Any more and the ride would be too harsh on the roads I typically drive.
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