Coilover shocks.....front only so far.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,610
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From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
Coilover shocks.....front only so far.
I'm tossing up the idea of replacing the front shock/ spring set up on my car with something that would offer more adjustability as well as handling control. Intially I was going to go with VB's front transverse glass spring, but I'm leaning towards fitting a coilover shock instead. Hopefully I can also do this to the rear end as well once a more suitable mounting system can be designed.
I just noticed an ad in CHP magazine for a company that makes replacement systems for GM vehicles. QA1 Motorsports / HAL Shocks. Has anyone heard of these shocks before at all?
If all other avenues fail I'll probably end up buying a set of Bilsteins and adapting coilover springs to suit. Does anyone know where I might get the best price on Bilsteins at all?
I just noticed an ad in CHP magazine for a company that makes replacement systems for GM vehicles. QA1 Motorsports / HAL Shocks. Has anyone heard of these shocks before at all?
If all other avenues fail I'll probably end up buying a set of Bilsteins and adapting coilover springs to suit. Does anyone know where I might get the best price on Bilsteins at all?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,610
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From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Chris O')
Drive!!!!!........Drive??????.......Is that what I'm supposed to do with it?
I thought that was what my wife did after I finished working on it. :rolleyes:
I thought that was what my wife did after I finished working on it. :rolleyes:
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 1
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Brutus)
I know Chris (71roadster) has been looking at this and thinking about them. He even explained it to me too. :) (but I don't remember) But I am starting to question what the benefit would be for a street car. I think my next order of business is tackling the noodle-like chassis by going roll bar and front strut brace (someday) :)
-terry
-terry
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,610
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From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (terryrudy)
Terry...I see any improvement to our cars' dated suspension technology as a benefit. Stepping up to a more modern adjustable shock and progressive rated springs can only help our cars whether they be a street hack or an Autocross specialist.
I have most of my bits and pieces now to make up my own front strut "spreader" bar. It's all going to be made from stainless steel components so I can have it pretty as well as practical. :D Stiffening the chassis is on my 'to do' list as well. Let me know how you go with yours too if you could please. Every little bit helps.
I have most of my bits and pieces now to make up my own front strut "spreader" bar. It's all going to be made from stainless steel components so I can have it pretty as well as practical. :D Stiffening the chassis is on my 'to do' list as well. Let me know how you go with yours too if you could please. Every little bit helps.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 1
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Brutus)
:cheers: Right on!
Sorry if my post sounded like I was bashing the idea. I was just thinking out loud to myself about how coilovers were explained to me. It seemed to me that coilovers major advantage is adjustability (of course aside from the :cool: factor) which is something that *I* would never tweak.
Far be it from me to criticize any idea to improve a C3. I'm with you 100% on that. I guess for ME and MY vette, I doubted I would get much benefit from it. But who knows? if you report back good things, I just may be hitting you up for your plans. :) :cheers:
-terry "always looking for reasons to spend $ on the c3"
Sorry if my post sounded like I was bashing the idea. I was just thinking out loud to myself about how coilovers were explained to me. It seemed to me that coilovers major advantage is adjustability (of course aside from the :cool: factor) which is something that *I* would never tweak.
Far be it from me to criticize any idea to improve a C3. I'm with you 100% on that. I guess for ME and MY vette, I doubted I would get much benefit from it. But who knows? if you report back good things, I just may be hitting you up for your plans. :) :cheers:
-terry "always looking for reasons to spend $ on the c3"
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
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From: melbourne,Australia
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Brutus)
Bob,as you already know the suspension and geometry are not exactly modern.....coilovers with the spreader bar will be a major improvement...but there is only limited value in all this if you don't change the wheels and tyres.....255.60.15 has far too much sidewall flex which will just mask your suspension improvements.....now that 18 and 19 inch v & z rated tyres are more easily avail you may want to look at suitable low profile tyres,which will grip better anyway.....i have 255.50.17 on mine which isnt a common size,but it gives the identical ride height to the original...john :chevy
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
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From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (jdunne)
John...17"wheels are definitely on the shopping list.....that is of course if there's any money left in the kitty by the time I get back from my little shopping spree in Florida.....sorry, that should read holiday. :D
I want to get the suspension all sorted out as best I can and then let the wheels be the icing on the cake.
By the time I get the suspension finished it'll be time for the motor to come out and all my nice store of goodies will get put together along with a 700r or 200r trans. That's where your experinece will come in. Hint hint. Do you get the idea I'm leading up to something? :rolleyes:
I want to get the suspension all sorted out as best I can and then let the wheels be the icing on the cake.
By the time I get the suspension finished it'll be time for the motor to come out and all my nice store of goodies will get put together along with a 700r or 200r trans. That's where your experinece will come in. Hint hint. Do you get the idea I'm leading up to something? :rolleyes:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
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From: melbourne,Australia
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Brutus)
Bob,message recd and understood....happy to help.....if you come to Winton in nov,you can have a drive of mine and see what you think of the set up with 17" and adjustable Konis...with very careful alignment it isnt a bad set up,but on the track it really isnt good enough...still lots of fun though.......it is a really good road set up...john :chevy
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (jdunne)
I talked to HAL a few years ago.
Very C :cool: :cool: L They are definitly on my wish list!
Why?
Corner balancing a Vette is near impossible as is. Coil overs in front would change all that...
Very C :cool: :cool: L They are definitly on my wish list!
Why?
Corner balancing a Vette is near impossible as is. Coil overs in front would change all that...
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Cory1970)
Cory, The coil overs allow easier fine tuning of ride height (threaded adjuster) and tuning of spring weight by easy to change springs and shock are easier to service. You also will need a larger sway bar with the coil overs.
I have the front transverse spring on my car and it does work great since the spring also acts as addition to the stock sway bar (both side are tied together via the transvserse spring). I have it setup, but I have to run it on the lightest setting since the other settings are way to stiff and wouldn't allow me to balance the car front to rear. To remove shocks, the spring must be removed. I'll real happy with the performance, but if there really is a good coil over set up out there, that's the way I will go. Oh yeah, the transvserse spring comes with a great set of tubular control arms (some reduced turning radius becase they are straight, not notch for tight turning).
How's the big chicken doing?! I lived in Smyrna/Marietta most of my early years
I have the front transverse spring on my car and it does work great since the spring also acts as addition to the stock sway bar (both side are tied together via the transvserse spring). I have it setup, but I have to run it on the lightest setting since the other settings are way to stiff and wouldn't allow me to balance the car front to rear. To remove shocks, the spring must be removed. I'll real happy with the performance, but if there really is a good coil over set up out there, that's the way I will go. Oh yeah, the transvserse spring comes with a great set of tubular control arms (some reduced turning radius becase they are straight, not notch for tight turning).
How's the big chicken doing?! I lived in Smyrna/Marietta most of my early years
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,610
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From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (427V8)
Keith...Could you let me know how or where I could contact HAL myself please? Do they make their own shocks and springs?
Thanks
Thanks
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Brutus)
Well here's there web site.
http://www.qa1.net
And an interesting link
http://www.qa1.net/shocks/vettesuspension.html
http://www.qa1.net
And an interesting link
http://www.qa1.net/shocks/vettesuspension.html
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 3
From: Goulburn, Australia NSW
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (427V8)
Thanks for those links Kieth. Do you have any idea what sort of price range their shocks are at all? I couldn't find anything on their site except dimensions etc. It's just slightly awkward to have to call them from over here for that sort of information.
If their products don't suit then I was aiming at buying some Bilsteins and fitting them with coilovers. This was a suggestion I got from talking to some suspension experts the other day.
If their products don't suit then I was aiming at buying some Bilsteins and fitting them with coilovers. This was a suggestion I got from talking to some suspension experts the other day.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Brutus)
They make replacement shocks for the C3's for about $140 a piece from Summit.
I would call them and ask if their coilover setup would work...I wonder if our shock mounts are strong enough to handle the pressure of the shock AND spring.
I would call them and ask if their coilover setup would work...I wonder if our shock mounts are strong enough to handle the pressure of the shock AND spring.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
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From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (Brutus)
QA1 Motorsports / HAL Shocks. Has anyone heard of these shocks before at all?
I called QA-1 and asked about the coil over shocks sometime back. He didn't recommend them for the C-3 Corvette. Especially on the front. He said the front mounting area was not strong enough to carry the entire weight and stress of the car. Even the aftermarket upper A-Frames I have from VBP aren't designed to be used this way. He advised that to use a coilover on the front of the Vette an upper frame shock mount needed to be designed along with an A-frame to allow its use.JIM
I called QA-1 and asked about the coil over shocks sometime back. He didn't recommend them for the C-3 Corvette. Especially on the front. He said the front mounting area was not strong enough to carry the entire weight and stress of the car. Even the aftermarket upper A-Frames I have from VBP aren't designed to be used this way. He advised that to use a coilover on the front of the Vette an upper frame shock mount needed to be designed along with an A-frame to allow its use.JIM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,013
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From: Austin TX
Re: Coilover shocks.....front only so far. (groovyjay)
If thats the kit from the Germanguys at ACP, I think its about $1700Euro for the front coil overs...lemme find the emai they sent me...
"Brembo-Kit front,contains 2 Brembo Calipers,Pads,Brackets and stainless Brakeline Kit 1600€ Brembo-Kit rear,contains 2 Brembo Calipers,Pads,Brackets and stainlees
Brakeline Kit 1700€
Both Kits are used with stock Discs (If you looking for "drilled" Discs you can get it at Summit Racing)
Koni Coilover-Kit rear,contains 2 Koni Racing Coilover Shocks,Springs,Brackets,Bushings and other Mounting Hardware 1560€ Koni Coilover-Kit front,contains 2 Koni Racing Coilover Shocks,Springs,Brackets,Bushings and other Mounting Hardware 1700€ Both Kits,specialy the front Kit,need some skilled welding and reworking!"
"Brembo-Kit front,contains 2 Brembo Calipers,Pads,Brackets and stainless Brakeline Kit 1600€ Brembo-Kit rear,contains 2 Brembo Calipers,Pads,Brackets and stainlees
Brakeline Kit 1700€
Both Kits are used with stock Discs (If you looking for "drilled" Discs you can get it at Summit Racing)
Koni Coilover-Kit rear,contains 2 Koni Racing Coilover Shocks,Springs,Brackets,Bushings and other Mounting Hardware 1560€ Koni Coilover-Kit front,contains 2 Koni Racing Coilover Shocks,Springs,Brackets,Bushings and other Mounting Hardware 1700€ Both Kits,specialy the front Kit,need some skilled welding and reworking!"