It's suspension upgrade time
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
It's suspension upgrade time
I've got a '77 which I have been driving for 6 years and I love it. It handles like a dream for a daily driver. I have big plans for it in the future...something along the lines of pro-touring. So I'm starting with suspension now...I need advice/experiences with the best suspension upgrades/kits/tricks to make my C3 handle like a hardcore racer.
I would like to go with 17" wheels and 245/45/17's soon to complement my suspension upgrades.
Thanks,
Ted
P.S. - I found a nissan sentra for $200 so that's my daily driver now...enabling me to get some progress on the vette.
I would like to go with 17" wheels and 245/45/17's soon to complement my suspension upgrades.
Thanks,
Ted
P.S. - I found a nissan sentra for $200 so that's my daily driver now...enabling me to get some progress on the vette.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Re: It's suspension upgrade time (fireball)
I was really wondering about the monospring. Do you think it could be used for racing? And would it be stable at 200mph?
[Modified by love to drive, 9:07 PM 8/27/2002]
[Modified by love to drive, 9:07 PM 8/27/2002]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: It's suspension upgrade time (love to drive)
Good questions, I don't know the answer but sure someone will. I am guessing that there is pros and cons to both and will depend on your planned usage. One advantage of the coil over is it won't snap like a mono spring. I'll bet the new vettes have em.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 13
From: Holly MI
Re: It's suspension upgrade time (love to drive)
The single best upgrade will be tires; they are the only thing that comes in contact with the road. I just upgraded to 17" Torque Thrust II aluminum wheels and 255/45 Kuhmo tires. The difference is huge. I would also recommend you decide on wheels first, because that will limit your brake size and also have an affect on your shock selection. I lighter wheel allows you to use a different shock rate. I have noticed the car pitches and rolls completely different with the lighter wheels. Also, I would invest in poly bushings. That is going to be one of my projects this winter. They eliminate much of the deflection in your suspension system. Finally, for the easier upgrades, buy the stainless steel braided brake lines. They won't bulge as much as your stock rubber lines, and should make a big improvement to your braking system. Good luck. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Re: It's suspension upgrade time (bb69)
The front mono-spring is fully adjustable rate and ride-height. Try to do that with coils. The composite spring senses the road much better and increases the handling because it actually acts like a sway-bar transferring weight from one side to the other. It also decreases the front frame flex because of the mounting points. The car isn't supported by the frame at the upper spring-bucket anymore. The Performance Plus kit is what you need to maximise your suspension for all applications. The dual-mount rear spring in that kit takes the weight of the rear pumpkin and attaches directly to the crossmember. Nobody has been dissapointed. :yesnod:
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 0
From: Clarksville,Tn,USA TN
Re: It's suspension upgrade time (VBP)
I went with the Performance Plus suspension package myself. I figured it would make my vette handle like I wanted it to. I have not finished my frame off yet so I have not had it on the road yet. Looks like it will handle like it is on rails...The tech service was good for I had to use it a few times.
Neil in Tenn
Neil in Tenn
