Many years ago I was looking into all the options. The front mono does not have high enough spring rates
Front Monoleaf ???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Horizontally parked in a parallel universe. WI
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!
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!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
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.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
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.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
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.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Horizontally parked in a parallel universe. WI
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!
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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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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
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
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
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.
