Forum: I tried the search but it didn't help. My 74 has the basic mods.
F/R sway bars, Struts, 330/460 springs. Upgraded Calipers, nothing serious.
I'm thinking about a serious upgrade in suspension and I'm looking for adjust from street to a track day /SS/Virginia City. I can spend money on the usual C3 mods or I can go a little further?
What is the cost and benefits of using the C4 parts?

On place uses C7 suspension parts for 21K plus labor.

I'm sure some coil overs are in the future. The rear has limited options that I am aware of?

TIA

R

 

Having owned both, the C4 is better overall in the suspension and ride catagory. However the C3 is pretty good right out of the gate.

My gut tells me that trying to kludge C4 parts on the C3 is a Frankenstein in-motion. Sure it can be done, but to what end and how much to you want to spend?

It is were my wallet I'd buy the highest quality C3 part along with a PROVEN combo that works.

 

It would be easier to put a C3 body on a C4 frame. And THAT would not be "easy". Why not buy a [relatively inexpensive] C4 and fix it up for the track? The suspension wouldn't take that much to get where you need it; you just need a good engine/trans in it that will get the job done.

 

A few of Us have transplanted the C4 Rear suspension into our C3's. Not to many have done the front. Its a lot of work, more that one would think. I did mine with the body on, and I would never do that again. By far the easiest way, and best is to use an aftermarket frame that is set up for the C4 or newer suspension. SR III and the Hot Rod shop are a couple to look at.

 

Thank you GB 80. I was waiting for the voice of experience to speak. I am considering those choices.

R

 

Why didn't you just send a PM to the person you wanted to hear from? (rather than to post a question to an "open" forum...)

 

How would I know who to PM.Not to mention excluding other members that had something valuable to share. Sorry to have wasted your valuable time.

For everyone else, I would be interested in your ideas for an adjustable suspension.
For now I'm thinking Coilover up front and a VB&P rear Monospring w/dual adjust shocks w/o springs.
A nice controlled ride at 75 will not be safe at 145-150.

TIA

R

 

The other option is (if links are not allowed here please delete my post)(I have no interest in this link besides hopefully someone buys it before I do)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/142220730480?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Love these "frame replacement" C3's. Just question their future value 10 years down the road. I would love to discuss this, but thats another thread itself. Just giving the op options here and would love to hear other opinions

 

Based on what you posted you have a very mild C3 suspension and you can go much further refining the basic C3 platform. Upgrading the steering in some fashion, competition adjustable struts with HEIM joints, Spreader bar, Bilsteins/Coilovers,and modern TIRES (ZR rated) alone would go a long way to handling improvements. Here is my 78 list:

Front:

255/45/17 ZR ultra high performance tires
Bilstein HD's with poly bushings
Speedirect Spreader bar
Gary Ramadei custom blueprinted/rebuilt OEM steering box
OEM 1 1/8 factory front sway bar with poly endlinks and mounting bushings
550lb front springs 1 inch shorter than stock
upper and lower poly control arm bushings

Rear:

255/50/17 Summer only ultra high performance tires
360 monospring with poly bushings
3/4 inch factory GM style rear sway bar with poly bushings
Bilstein Sports
competition adjustable strut rods with Heim joints


There are MANY changes you can make with the current C3 platform to really improve the handling (and ride) over the basic C3 base or Sport suspension without going to the C4 platform. The C4 suspension is a better total package but unless you do some serious road racing, I would not go that route until you have maxed out the C3 platform....just me

The C4 rear suspension is the big advantage over the C3 being a 5 link (I believe, would have to look it up) and better caster/camber adjustment up front along with the monospring (you can retro fit a front monospring to a C3) AND MODERN Ultra High performance summer only TiRES..................You cannot run the 15 inch tires available for the C3 and expect it to handle like a modern sports car...You MUST go to a ZR 17/18 inch tire since the current 15 inchers are all basically standard tires you might find on a base Toyota Corolla.....

 

It's like anything else in life, nothing is free. A C4 suspension can be put under a C3 (and not a kluge job as some people's gut tells them), but it takes big money or fabricating skill. I estimate it cost me about 3-3.5k in parts (including a used '69 frame so I didn't have to molest the original frame) and a fair amount of time to fabricate brackets to attach things to the frame.
I run 15" wheels on the street (I like the stock '69 look, and the local speed limits are the same for my Corvette and any Toyota Corollas sharing the road), and I just swap on my C5Z wheels for track days.

Absolutely the best mod I did to the car.

 

I would look at Street Shop. If I was going to do a frame I would use them. I don't know if they sell individual components though.

http://www.streetshopinc.com/chassis...t-chassis.html

 

Street Shop has the C7 parts on a C3. 21K in parts and I have no idea of the hours?
I'm really trying to get an idea of how much, for how much?

A car that can be driven hard safely is my top priority. A little understeer at the limit helps to keep a beginner like me on the track.

Serious money has been spent chasing the lower time, faster car.
Anyone care to guess what a Pro Touring Car would cost?
I have no idea.
How much does a 700 hp engine cost?

 

We offer complete suspension kits as well.
http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-1...m-level-2.html
http://www.ridetech.com/store/1968-1...m-level-3.html

If you want to get serious we have a 9 inch IRS rear as well and C6 spindles for the race setup.

 

Has anyone put coil over shocks on the rear?
I'm sure it would take some fabrication.
The current alternatives are rather expensive.
I'm sure there are complexities that I am not aware of.
If it was easy, someone would have already done it! lol