New member with a 1971 c3 seeking help
06-16-2018, 10:28 AM
#1
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New member with a 1971 c3 seeking help
Hello all I worked on my grandfathers 1971 c3 convertible my entire life he bought new. He passed and left it to me so I am now in the process of bringing the car to Florida from Tennessee. It will be my daily driver and the only mods are a edelbrock intake and carburetor I installed last year. I want to update the suspension to ride better but I am not sure if I need to go for a full coil over for just driving on the streets. Any thoughts on some of the other suspensions? Thanks and I am excited to be a part of this forum.
06-16-2018, 10:32 AM
#2
Team Owner
Welcome to the forum.
You'd probably get more helpful information if you posted your request here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...performance-3/
You'd probably get more helpful information if you posted your request here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...performance-3/
06-16-2018, 10:54 AM
#3
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Welcome and moved this over to C3 Tech/Performance.
06-16-2018, 11:09 AM
#5
Race Director
Call Van Steel.
They are a forum vendor and talk to one of the techs.
They sell top quality suspension components and will give you excellent customer service.
They helped me set up the entire suspension for my 73.
Let them know how you plan to use your corvette, the type of ride you want and they will set you up.
They also offer a nice forum member discount.
They are a forum vendor and talk to one of the techs.
They sell top quality suspension components and will give you excellent customer service.
They helped me set up the entire suspension for my 73.
Let them know how you plan to use your corvette, the type of ride you want and they will set you up.
They also offer a nice forum member discount.
06-16-2018, 02:32 PM
#7
Safety Car
My condolences to you for the loss of your grandfather. I’m sure his C3, now your C3, means the world to you. Best of luck. And here’s to many more great times in your new convertible.
06-16-2018, 03:30 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
A properly set up stock suspension will be fine for street driving. Replace all your suspension bushings, rebuild the trailing arms, rebuild your steering box and power steering components if equipped and install new shocks and you will have a fine riding car without spending a ton of money.
06-16-2018, 03:39 PM
#9
Nam Labrat
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06-16-2018, 04:21 PM
#10
A properly set up stock suspension will be fine for street driving. Replace all your suspension bushings, rebuild the trailing arms, rebuild your steering box and power steering components if equipped and install new shocks and you will have a fine riding car without spending a ton of money.
06-16-2018, 08:47 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
Yep, just restore your factory suspension back to stock specs is your best bet for a good riding, decent handling street car.... Coil overs will really stiffen the ride quality, even when adjusted soft....Unless you are planning on pushing it real hard in turns, the stock suspension in good condition is the way to go.
06-16-2018, 09:40 PM
#12
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Thanks guys I will stick with the stock suspension for now with replacing the bushings,shocks, etc. should I even mess with a composite rear spring at all or is it not needed either. Thanks again!
06-16-2018, 09:50 PM
#14
Team Owner
If you still have the stock rear leaf spring, just install Bilstein Heavy-Duty gas shocks all-around. Unless there are some real problems with the front/rear springs, that will make your ride much more enjoyable and allow the car to handle MUCH better that with the old hydraulic shocks.
06-16-2018, 09:54 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
I personally run a TRW 340# from 1987 and it works fine for me with some QA1 adjustable shocks. If I want to stiffen it for a some twisty duty, I can adjust the shocks.....Or if I want to soften it for long highway rides, I just adjust the shocks.
06-16-2018, 11:01 PM
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Well a daily driver for me consists of running up and down the beach we live at a few times a week as my wife and I work from home. I agree though we have a new Tahoe and it is really nice!
06-16-2018, 11:06 PM
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If you still have the stock rear leaf spring, just install Bilstein Heavy-Duty gas shocks all-around. Unless there are some real problems with the front/rear springs, that will make your ride much more enjoyable and allow the car to handle MUCH better that with the old hydraulic shocks.
06-17-2018, 11:06 AM
#18
Race Director
Beautiful car.
When you go to Van Steels website, you will see they have everything you need to rebuild your stock components or if you go with full race applications.
Even keeping the suspension basically stock, there are some things you can do to improve handling, like a front spreader bar, front and rear sway bars, and good adjustable shocks.
Some people will swear poly bushings are the only way to go, others will say the same about rubber.
I went with the moog rubber bushings throughout.
If you stay with rubber bushings, this is one thing you get what you pay for.
Do lots of research and stick with vendors with a good reputation.
When you go to Van Steels website, you will see they have everything you need to rebuild your stock components or if you go with full race applications.
Even keeping the suspension basically stock, there are some things you can do to improve handling, like a front spreader bar, front and rear sway bars, and good adjustable shocks.
Some people will swear poly bushings are the only way to go, others will say the same about rubber.
I went with the moog rubber bushings throughout.
If you stay with rubber bushings, this is one thing you get what you pay for.
Do lots of research and stick with vendors with a good reputation.
Last edited by OldCarBum; 06-17-2018 at 11:08 AM.
06-17-2018, 01:24 PM
#20
Dr. Detroit
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I am a huge advocate of composite springs and my 72' has them front and rear with some older Carrera shocks, kit is from VB&P and the car rides a little firm but the handling is out of sight....I need to adjust the front spring for less spring rate....the rear is a perfect balance of ride and handling. I love being able to adjust the height in the front too....third pic shows the ride adjustment.
BUT! I had a bone stock 69' 427/400 with Monroe Gas matics on it and it was a dream to drive.......stock 50 lb. rear spring and all.......sooooo....on a budget....just make everything like new and pick a shock......
I have heard that the AC Delco Premium Gas Shock is one of the best and most plush out there......
Jebby
BUT! I had a bone stock 69' 427/400 with Monroe Gas matics on it and it was a dream to drive.......stock 50 lb. rear spring and all.......sooooo....on a budget....just make everything like new and pick a shock......
I have heard that the AC Delco Premium Gas Shock is one of the best and most plush out there......
Jebby
Last edited by Jebbysan; 06-17-2018 at 01:27 PM.