Soften the Ride
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA
I totally agree!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA
I will replace the tires but it takes a special order and will get that done this winter.
Right now I need to make a decision about the suspension to soften the ride and move forward. Then I can get the Out of Province Inspection and plates.
Thx John
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
I would bet that new tires will make a very noticeable difference in the way it rides. Old tires are usually hardened and ride like bricks. I would do that before chasing down more expensive suspension solutions since you need new tires anyway.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA
A friend has a Berlina with 3 year old tires. I rode in his car and it's the same hard ride by design. A little softer because he took off his front sway bar. So I'm researching the softer suspension for both cars. Surprisingly his car didn't roll in the turns with out the front sway bar.
I believe a test ride with the right shocks would be a good next step. Then decide to play with replacement coil springs or buy the adjustable fiberglass mono spring.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA
I phoned Corvette America and inquired about the ride of the fiberglass mono spring front suspension upgrade. The rep I talked with said he is going to make some phone calls.
When he got back to me he said the fiberglass mono spring front suspension is not the right one for my car. I believe he said there is 2" less suspension travel with the mono spring. And he didn't have anything else to recommend.
So I'll be trying softer shock absorbers,... and if that doesn't help enough then will be looking for another spring.
And for sure will buy new tires.
Thx everyone,...much appreciated.
When he got back to me he said the fiberglass mono spring front suspension is not the right one for my car. I believe he said there is 2" less suspension travel with the mono spring. And he didn't have anything else to recommend.
So I'll be trying softer shock absorbers,... and if that doesn't help enough then will be looking for another spring.
And for sure will buy new tires.
Thx everyone,...much appreciated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA
The Berlina front axel weighs 1505# so I'll be going with the 1963 Corvette convertible coil spring with a comparable front axel weight of 1512#.
I presently have the stock 1982 coil spring at 460# (it takes 460# to drop the spring 1")
No wonder it rides hard. That's 250 pounds lighter on the front suspension.
I'm looking for the pound rating of the 1963 Corvette convertible front coil spring so I can place the order for the matching spring.
Can anyone tell me where to find this info?
Thx, John
I presently have the stock 1982 coil spring at 460# (it takes 460# to drop the spring 1")
No wonder it rides hard. That's 250 pounds lighter on the front suspension.
I'm looking for the pound rating of the 1963 Corvette convertible front coil spring so I can place the order for the matching spring.
Can anyone tell me where to find this info?
Thx, John
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
If it really has a 7/8" rear sway bar, it's probably the aftermarket style that is the wrong design for our cars. get rid of the rear sway bar completely or go with a stock 7/16" rear bar.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
The rear 7/8" swaybar is unnecessary and DOES affect ride quality. I would remove it first and see if you like how the car handles/rides. If you want a rear sway bar, then go with a stock 7/16" or 9/16" swaybar with the factory linkage. Don't use a rear sway bar that uses the bushing's on bolt style connection (ie. same as front).
Also, if you have a fiberglass spring in the rear and want a soft ride, I strongly recommend getting the KYB GR2 shocks from VBP specifically valved for fiberglass springs.
http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts.htm...category_id=46
I understand your concern about the front end, but if you look at where you sit, you are almost on top of the rear tires. Tuning the rear suspension will have a larger effect on ride than the front.
If you do remove the rearsway bar or go to a stock one, then you could also decrease the front sway size. Probably down to a 7/8 or 1" one would be a good place to start.
Good Luck
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA
The rear 7/8" swaybar is unnecessary and DOES affect ride quality. I would remove it first and see if you like how the car handles/rides. If you want a rear sway bar, then go with a stock 7/16" or 9/16" swaybar with the factory linkage. Don't use a rear sway bar that uses the bushing's on bolt style connection (ie. same as front).
Also, if you have a fiberglass spring in the rear and want a soft ride, I strongly recommend getting the KYB GR2 shocks from VBP specifically valved for fiberglass springs.
http://www.vbandp.com/auto-parts.htm...category_id=46
I understand your concern about the front end, but if you look at where you sit, you are almost on top of the rear tires. Tuning the rear suspension will have a larger effect on ride than the front.
If you do remove the rearsway bar or go to a stock one, then you could also decrease the front sway size. Probably down to a 7/8 or 1" one would be a good place to start.
Good Luck
Thx Jason. Your giving some fine advice.
The VBP specifically valved for fiberglass springs and a soft ride?
I'll be checking them out. That's the related info I'm looking for.
It has Carrera shocks. I removed them. They have 3 settings adjustments but I can't change them and don't know if 1 is hard and 3 is soft or the other way around. Doesn't matter, I will replace them.
Back to the weight distribution. The total weight of the Berlina is 3357 lbs. The front end weighs 1505 lbs and is 250 lbs lighter than stock. The rear got heavier by 80 lbs and weighs 1812 (lbs).
The weight ratio changed to 45% front and 55% rear.
The front suspension got rock hard with the weight reduction and almost like no suspension at all. The rear (suspension) got heavier by 80 lbs and rides pretty good.
I do have the rear sway bar that mounts to the frame in bushing on bolt and similar to the front. I just paid to have it powder coated?
Thx again,...John
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
The Berlina front axel weighs 1505# so I'll be going with the 1963 Corvette convertible coil spring with a comparable front axel weight of 1512#.
I presently have the stock 1982 coil spring at 460# (it takes 460# to drop the spring 1")
No wonder it rides hard. That's 250 pounds lighter on the front suspension.
I'm looking for the pound rating of the 1963 Corvette convertible front coil spring so I can place the order for the matching spring.
Can anyone tell me where to find this info?
Thx, John
I presently have the stock 1982 coil spring at 460# (it takes 460# to drop the spring 1")
No wonder it rides hard. That's 250 pounds lighter on the front suspension.
I'm looking for the pound rating of the 1963 Corvette convertible front coil spring so I can place the order for the matching spring.
Can anyone tell me where to find this info?
Thx, John
Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
The ancient tire issue may be have more impact than you think. And hard to judge your changes on stone tires. Maybe go to your local tire place and see if they have some modern used tires you can put on cheap. Offer to let them find your white walls for later and maybe they cut a very nice deal on the temp tires you return later to them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA
The ancient tire issue may be have more impact than you think. And hard to judge your changes on stone tires. Maybe go to your local tire place and see if they have some modern used tires you can put on cheap. Offer to let them find your white walls for later and maybe they cut a very nice deal on the temp tires you return later to them.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA
I agree, the mechanic passes the old tires in the inspection and then says the rear wheel bearings are bad when he would only check them for up and down play. I'm no mechanic and showed him there is no play other than vertical. He couldn't understand the rear suspension.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: ROSEBRUGH ALBERTA