Looking for best suspension
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
Wouldnt the answer to the threads question be different for each person and how they use his or her car?
I was lucky, my donor chassis was rebuilt with vbp front rear transverse kits, some would say its better than stock,
I am a cruiser, so all i needed was up to par stock suspension, the vbp stuff gives very little bragging rights as so many newer set ups are out there,
But how many people really need better than up to par stock?
I was lucky, my donor chassis was rebuilt with vbp front rear transverse kits, some would say its better than stock,
I am a cruiser, so all i needed was up to par stock suspension, the vbp stuff gives very little bragging rights as so many newer set ups are out there,
But how many people really need better than up to par stock?
RVZIO
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
For a different option, I went with the Shark Bite front coilovers double adjustable and in the back run a VBP fiberglass. I like a nice smooth, compliant ride and that is what this setup gives me. I can raise and lower the front easier when I want to run my taller redline tire/wheel combo. Bilstien shocks are recommended but I feel that they are really stiff riding. In Illinois the pot holes and rough roads don't do anything for the kidneys!
Total investment just over 1000$ dollars.
Total investment just over 1000$ dollars.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,399
Likes: 793
For a different option, I went with the Shark Bite front coilovers double adjustable and in the back run a VBP fiberglass. I like a nice smooth, compliant ride and that is what this setup gives me. I can raise and lower the front easier when I want to run my taller redline tire/wheel combo. Bilstien shocks are recommended but I feel that they are really stiff riding. In Illinois the pot holes and rough roads don't do anything for the kidneys!
Total investment just over 1000$ dollars.
Attachment 48090076
Total investment just over 1000$ dollars.
Attachment 48090076
RVZIO
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 321
Likes: 16
From: Ontario
IMHO the single best investment anyone will ever make towards properly sorting their C2/C3 chassis would be to learn at least the basics of vehicle dynamics in general and of the fundamental workings of our IRS specifically. With that knowledge will come the understanding that not every worthwhile improvement comes neatly packaged in a box, and not every piece of kit actually improves anything. And, whatever set of kit you may ultimately choose as a baseline from which to work, you'll have a better idea of what adjustments will put you nearest the bulls eye for your given application. Hope that's worth $.02
TSW
TSW
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 174
From: Deerfield Illinois
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Slightly, just have the adjustability of the spring bolt, currently 8" long. I have only the VBP fiberglass spring and Delco shocks for a smooth ride to suit my top down and cruising style!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
Use caution adding longer bolts to the rear spring to lower the rear ride height. I've seen numerous photographs showing the end of an 8" or longer bolt used that extends lower than the lip of the rear wheels. Imagine what could happen at 60 mph when the spring bolt contacted the roadway with a flat tire or blowout.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/vip.pdf
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/guldstrand/
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/CorvetteHandling.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Front:
550 springs 1 inch lower than stock
Poly Upper and lower control arm bushings
Speedirect Spreader bar
Custom blueprinted/rebuilt OEM steering box
Bilstein HD's with poly bushings
1 1/8 OEM sway bar with poly bushings
255/45/17 ZR ultra high performance summer only tires
Rear:
VBP 360 composite spring with poly cushings
Competition adjustable heim joint strut bars
Bilstein Sports
OEM type GM style 3/4 inch rear sway bar with poly bushings
255/50/ZR UH tires
The car rides really nice...firm but not harsh and handles MUCH better than it ever did with the factory gymkhana suspension with direct steering with no slop. The car drives like a modern sports car but is mostly street driven. All in about $1,000 dollars without 17 inch rims and tires......Probs the best bang for the dollars to improve the overall driving experience without breaking the bank
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 215
Likes: 6
From: Mebane, NC
a thought
Like many cars of it's age, I can't get the front end aligned properly because the shock towers have bent inward. Only solution is to get the frame straightened. Have a spreader bar to minimize any more collapse, car handles fine on the road, but not drive like it did when new. Might want to consider getting the frame straightened then aligned properly before investing in aftermarket.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
I'm thinking hard about some Van Steel F/R coilovers. I would like to see the new parts from DSE for a C3 Vette. Just the 1" drop spindles should help?
Of course good is not cheap, and cheap is not good.
I can only imagine how expensive the new DSE rear suspension will be?
R
Of course good is not cheap, and cheap is not good.
I can only imagine how expensive the new DSE rear suspension will be?
R
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I'm thinking hard about some Van Steel F/R coilovers. I would like to see the new parts from DSE for a C3 Vette. Just the 1" drop spindles should help?
Of course good is not cheap, and cheap is not good.
I can only imagine how expensive the new DSE rear suspension will be?
R
Of course good is not cheap, and cheap is not good.
I can only imagine how expensive the new DSE rear suspension will be?
R
Less that $200,000... but in the 5 figure range...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 774
Likes: 375
From: Seattle WA
Hey,
Just a data point.
I was just watching the latest episode of FantomWorks. They did a Red/Orange 68 just like mine. For the suspension, they chose Sharkbite. They could have chosen anything but they went with that. (Yeah, it could be sponsored but they never actually said any names, but you could tell what it was).
I'm going Sharkbite. It may not be as race oriented as the RideTech, but I'm not paying $6,600 for the suspension when I'm only a street driver.
Happy times whatever you pick!!!!
Scott.
Just a data point.
I was just watching the latest episode of FantomWorks. They did a Red/Orange 68 just like mine. For the suspension, they chose Sharkbite. They could have chosen anything but they went with that. (Yeah, it could be sponsored but they never actually said any names, but you could tell what it was).
I'm going Sharkbite. It may not be as race oriented as the RideTech, but I'm not paying $6,600 for the suspension when I'm only a street driver.
Happy times whatever you pick!!!!
Scott.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 657
Likes: 114
From: Picton NSW
It all depends on what you intend to do with your car .
Drive one the road no track of drag racing , stay with the stock System .
Road and track go with vansteel or ridetech .
I don’t know what works best for drag racing.
Bfit
Drive one the road no track of drag racing , stay with the stock System .
Road and track go with vansteel or ridetech .
I don’t know what works best for drag racing.
Bfit