Coilovers vs. leaf and bilsteins.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1
Coilovers vs. leaf and bilsteins.
what is everyones take on this? I am searching for the sharkbites the Cali has but no luck yet. Are they worth the added expense? I won't be professional autx, but i will be hitting the track as much as possible.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 17
I've got them on my '66 and I like them. I wish I had more downward adjustability, however. Another inch or so would be plenty.
Cali also wanted more downward adjustability and on the advice of Speed Direct, began cutting coils off the springs. He apparently cut more than the design would permit (again - he was advised to do so by SD) and the springs became loose, producing the noises he described in his posts.
One feature I wanted in replacing my conventional springs and shocks was adjustability. This limited my choices to the coilovers from SD, the coilovers from Van Steel, and the monospring from Vette Brakes. I don't know if the other two choices would have lowered my car any more than the SD coilovers. For all I know, I may, in fact, have the best system of the three as far as downward adjustability goes.
I do like the firm tight feeling of the coilover front suspension compared to stock setup, just wish it was a little lower from an appearance standpoint.
Cali also wanted more downward adjustability and on the advice of Speed Direct, began cutting coils off the springs. He apparently cut more than the design would permit (again - he was advised to do so by SD) and the springs became loose, producing the noises he described in his posts.
One feature I wanted in replacing my conventional springs and shocks was adjustability. This limited my choices to the coilovers from SD, the coilovers from Van Steel, and the monospring from Vette Brakes. I don't know if the other two choices would have lowered my car any more than the SD coilovers. For all I know, I may, in fact, have the best system of the three as far as downward adjustability goes.
I do like the firm tight feeling of the coilover front suspension compared to stock setup, just wish it was a little lower from an appearance standpoint.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by Schmucker
If you're not going to take the time to put full coilovers on then it's just not worth it. If you want a good bolt in setup then I would just do the monoleafs.
Last edited by Van Steel; Jul 28, 2004 at 11:40 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Van Steel
If you want your front end bouncing around like a basket ball than sure go that route. Unless you plan on modifing your frame, you can not run true coilovers. I have QA1 semi-coilovers and have never had a problem nor has anyone who bought them from me.
Last edited by Schmucker; Jul 28, 2004 at 11:49 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Where's the pics of the front schmucker? I think I saw your rear setup (with the blue diff. crossmember/coil over mount right?)
Gotta say, I agree with you. Either go full coil overs or don't do it at all. Half azzed stuff doesn't appeal to me at all.
Gotta say, I agree with you. Either go full coil overs or don't do it at all. Half azzed stuff doesn't appeal to me at all.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
The link to the front was in the post about the rear. I had posted about the front a while ago because I finished it first. That tread is no longer available though. If I get my brakes working today it won't be too long and I'll have some driving impressions to post about.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by Schmucker
And I did modify my frame and I did put QA1 Full coilovers in, just as my signerature says that I did. It was time consuming and not as easy as just bolting something in, and due to the poor design of the semi-coilover setups I suggest not going with them. A road racer car is going to be lowered a good put to keep the air out from underneath and the semi-coilover setup doesn't allow for that. Putting together your own semi coilover with a different shock with the proper travel and you may have something.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
Gotta say, I agree with you. Either go full coil overs or don't do it at all. Half azzed stuff doesn't appeal to me at all.
I did go full coilovers but it is alot of work, requiring alot of cutting and welding. I feel the stock setup is good, better then the 2 options. This is a shot of my setup, but agian it is beyond most peoples ability.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Van Steel
Sorry I don't read everyones signature and most guys do not have the equipment or the know-how to modify their frame. As you know, it probably was not a one shot deal either. How low is your ride height up front? I got mine down to 26.5" from the ground to the center of the wheel well lip but I also have stock rims and tires. Got any pics?
And I have to pimp my own suspension since Norval pimped his
http://csagent.homestead.com/files/c...ersdone005.jpg
Too bad I don't have a good picture or a camera that doesn't suck. It's not resized so I'm not putting the image tags in. There are plenty more crappy pics available.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Yours is the same as mine but I can drop the shock and spring out the bottom for quick spring changes. 10 minutes from start to finish per wheel changing a spring.
The principle is the same just different size holes in the lower A arm.
The principle is the same just different size holes in the lower A arm.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by Mike Smith
I've got them on my '66 and I like them. I wish I had more downward adjustability, however. Another inch or so would be plenty.
Cali also wanted more downward adjustability and on the advice of Speed Direct, began cutting coils off the springs. He apparently cut more than the design would permit (again - he was advised to do so by SD) and the springs became loose, producing the noises he described in his posts.
One feature I wanted in replacing my conventional springs and shocks was adjustability. This limited my choices to the coilovers from SD, the coilovers from Van Steel, and the monospring from Vette Brakes. I don't know if the other two choices would have lowered my car any more than the SD coilovers. For all I know, I may, in fact, have the best system of the three as far as downward adjustability goes.
I do like the firm tight feeling of the coilover front suspension compared to stock setup, just wish it was a little lower from an appearance standpoint.
Cali also wanted more downward adjustability and on the advice of Speed Direct, began cutting coils off the springs. He apparently cut more than the design would permit (again - he was advised to do so by SD) and the springs became loose, producing the noises he described in his posts.
One feature I wanted in replacing my conventional springs and shocks was adjustability. This limited my choices to the coilovers from SD, the coilovers from Van Steel, and the monospring from Vette Brakes. I don't know if the other two choices would have lowered my car any more than the SD coilovers. For all I know, I may, in fact, have the best system of the three as far as downward adjustability goes.
I do like the firm tight feeling of the coilover front suspension compared to stock setup, just wish it was a little lower from an appearance standpoint.
As I have 4 months of messing with these S.B. coil-overs I would suggest to you Mike that you NEVER EVER cut the springs. i had to becuase I'm running 245/60/15 tires but if I had stock 70's than the setup would work. With that said I have drivien my 68 for 2 weks straight as my Honda is in the shop and I can tell you the stock system is as bit as good as the S.B. and $950.00 cheaper. I now am able to get the sytem tore apart, springs cut and reinstalled in under 30 minutes per side. I guess doing ten times makes you an expert , unfortunetly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 17
As you know, I've been following your trials and tribulations with great interest. I have no intention of cutting these springs.
I am disappointed SD did not offer you a solution such as shorter springs, modified shocks, under-the-arm mount, or a combination thereof.
Anyway, I'm glad you've got your car where you want it. As I mentioned once before, its the only Vette I've seen that would tempt to own another black car.
Beautiful ride!
I am disappointed SD did not offer you a solution such as shorter springs, modified shocks, under-the-arm mount, or a combination thereof.
Anyway, I'm glad you've got your car where you want it. As I mentioned once before, its the only Vette I've seen that would tempt to own another black car.
Beautiful ride!
