Rear Suspension Suggestions
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 478
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
Rear Suspension Suggestions
My rear suspension feels like a sponge and bouncy. I would like to firm up the ride in the rear, when I hit a bump it feels it has way too much travel up and down. So far I have redone the front suspension with new 460lb coils (cut one coil) and rear trailing arms have been rebuilt. The front is firm and planted now I want the rear to match. Would a good set of shocks firm this up or is it I need a sway bar in the rear? Also it is the original FB rear spring that came on the car in 81. Could it be the rear spring is just worn out? It is not flat and still has a good arch to it. Suggestion please, I want to whip this rear in shape to match the front. One other thing the shock are new but not real expensive, this may be part of the problem buy not sure.
Thanks,
YBnormal...drive a vette
Thanks,
YBnormal...drive a vette
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Originally Posted by Ybnormal
My rear suspension feels like a sponge and bouncy. I would like to firm up the ride in the rear, when I hit a bump it feels it has way too much travel up and down. So far I have redone the front suspension with new 460lb coils (cut one coil) and rear trailing arms have been rebuilt. The front is firm and planted now I want the rear to match. Would a good set of shocks firm this up or is it I need a sway bar in the rear? Also it is the original FB rear spring that came on the car in 81. Could it be the rear spring is just worn out? It is not flat and still has a good arch to it. Suggestion please, I want to whip this rear in shape to match the front. One other thing the shock are new but not real expensive, this may be part of the problem buy not sure.
Thanks,
YBnormal...drive a vette
Thanks,
YBnormal...drive a vette
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
I put a fiberglass spring on my '80 to replace a broken steel spring and discovered the ride in the rear was just as you described. The shop that did the spring swap told me I might need to upgrade the shocks and they were right. The front felt fine but the rear would feel somewhat softer and bouncy. A shock upgrade to bilsteins will cure it. I put a set of 4 on but you might get away with just replacing the rears. I know it cured the "bouncy" in my rear suspension. I wish all my Vette problems were as easy to fix. 
-Mark.
-Mark.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles IL
Does any one have experience between the bilstein sport shocks and the bilstein autocross shock that are like 110.00 a piece. are they worth it? I have the same composite spring issue, unfortunatly I had just bought new KYB shocks and now am upgrading to the bilsteins but did not want to experience the sport series not being stiff enough either so I bought the autocross ones, now I hope those are not tooo stiff. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Ybnormal
So far I have redone the front suspension with new 460lb coils (cut one coil)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 478
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
Thanks for the replies looks like I will be ordering new shocks now
RedBad...brought it down to 27.5" in the front after cutting one coil off. There are before and after pictures here http://www.angelfire.com/al/swhite7/frontend.html
YBnormal...drive a vette
RedBad...brought it down to 27.5" in the front after cutting one coil off. There are before and after pictures here http://www.angelfire.com/al/swhite7/frontend.html
YBnormal...drive a vette
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
doing an excellen job YB. another fine vette being made there. been there done that. http://www.cardomain.com/id/rlato
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 0
From: Berlin
Originally Posted by motorpsycho502
Does any one have experience between the bilstein sport shocks and the bilstein autocross shock that are like 110.00 a piece. are they worth it? I have the same composite spring issue, unfortunatly I had just bought new KYB shocks and now am upgrading to the bilsteins but did not want to experience the sport series not being stiff enough either so I bought the autocross ones, now I hope those are not tooo stiff.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 360
Likes: 1
From: Meridian, MS
this issue with spring change is wierd....i put 460vbp springs in my 78 and it sits perfect, and i have seen so many put new springs in and they look like YB's picture.... what gives why does it only affect some cars?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA
I have the exact same problem.
I bought a new rear spring and 4 shocks from one of the vendors here (nameless). I told the vendor I planned on spirited drivin, and an occasional autocross from time to time. He sold me an upgraded rear spring, and said the "deal" he had going for shocks was "unbeatable" and they were matched perfectly for the fiberglass spring - so I bought 4 SUCKER! After I got the rear on, I realized he sent me 4 rear shocks instead of 2 rear and 2 front - no big deal honest mistake and they were so cheap it didn't phase me, but was aggravating needless to say - I digress.. So... I put 2 KyB on the front with my 460 coils, and keep the pos the vendor sent on the rear- car drives like a bronco - I hit any dip in the road and I come close to flying out of the car - Matched my butt - springy, bouncy, virtually uncontrollable at speed - and I am talking 60 mph.
I wasn't sure if the shocks were the right answer, but it certainly sounds like they are. I will be installing a set of KYB this weekend.
Thank you to the forum again for helping me find a solution.
I bought a new rear spring and 4 shocks from one of the vendors here (nameless). I told the vendor I planned on spirited drivin, and an occasional autocross from time to time. He sold me an upgraded rear spring, and said the "deal" he had going for shocks was "unbeatable" and they were matched perfectly for the fiberglass spring - so I bought 4 SUCKER! After I got the rear on, I realized he sent me 4 rear shocks instead of 2 rear and 2 front - no big deal honest mistake and they were so cheap it didn't phase me, but was aggravating needless to say - I digress.. So... I put 2 KyB on the front with my 460 coils, and keep the pos the vendor sent on the rear- car drives like a bronco - I hit any dip in the road and I come close to flying out of the car - Matched my butt - springy, bouncy, virtually uncontrollable at speed - and I am talking 60 mph.
I wasn't sure if the shocks were the right answer, but it certainly sounds like they are. I will be installing a set of KYB this weekend.
Thank you to the forum again for helping me find a solution.