Coil-Overs in the front?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte NC
Coil-Overs in the front?
Anyone know the best way to retrofit coil-overs to the front is? What about QA1 conversions? I cant seem to find one for Corvettes, but I know I've seen them in vettes before.
Cris
Cris
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte NC
so a coil over the shock is the same as a coil-over? I was under the impression tht they were different?
So, can you add shocks that allow you to have adjustable ride height in the front?
So, can you add shocks that allow you to have adjustable ride height in the front?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
No, a coil over and a normal coil & shock arrangement is not the same, the stock stuff does not allow ride height adjustments without installing shorter springs or cutting the old ones.
Also, on a coil over the spring is clamped between the shock piston rod (a hat is located at the end) and a screw on collar at the bottom, this means that the spring is part of the coil over arrangement and the 2 shock eyes are the only connection to the chassis on both sides. This means that with shock compression & extension the spring always defklexts in only one way, unlike the stock stuff where the spring is wedged between the lower control arm and the spring pocket in the frame, the spring actually bends during suspension movement because when the control arm moves up and down so does the angle of the seating face as opposed to the frame.
However, there is no such thing as a bolt in coil over, there are bolt in coil overs but there is no real benefit to those apart from height adjustability. The spring still sits in the stock frame spring pocket.
Also, on a coil over the spring is clamped between the shock piston rod (a hat is located at the end) and a screw on collar at the bottom, this means that the spring is part of the coil over arrangement and the 2 shock eyes are the only connection to the chassis on both sides. This means that with shock compression & extension the spring always defklexts in only one way, unlike the stock stuff where the spring is wedged between the lower control arm and the spring pocket in the frame, the spring actually bends during suspension movement because when the control arm moves up and down so does the angle of the seating face as opposed to the frame.
However, there is no such thing as a bolt in coil over, there are bolt in coil overs but there is no real benefit to those apart from height adjustability. The spring still sits in the stock frame spring pocket.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 56
From: Shawano WI
The semi-coil over kits that are available now will let you adjust the ride height. The problem is that none of them will let you go lower than about 27" fender well (depending on tires). You can go up but you can not go down.
Pete
Pete
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 56
From: Shawano WI
Depending on what suspension and what tire sizes your car came with it is generally between 27" and 28". My stock 79 with FE7 Gymkahana suspension and original size P255/60/15 tires is at 27.25"
Pete
Pete
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Ganey
Not needed. It already has coils in the front. Coils over the shocks is an easy way to add coils.
True coilovers are alot of work. Cutting out the spring pockets, fabricating mounts and reinforcing the area.
Not for the average do it yourselfer.
Also very pricy, starting at about $750 and up.
This is my setup
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte NC
Originally Posted by Pete79L82
Depending on what suspension and what tire sizes your car came with it is generally between 27" and 28". My stock 79 with FE7 Gymkahana suspension and original size P255/60/15 tires is at 27.25"
Pete
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Yes, you do not need adjustability. Set the ride height where you want it and leave it. Adjusting it up and down for different driving situations is a waste. The benefits of coilovers is the ease in counterbalancing, less unsprung weight, more compact size (allowing for the lower mount to be placed further outward, giving more control). I also have full coilovers, done very similiarly to Norvals. Mine were about $500 for each pair with springs. I have my front end down to 25.5". That is low, but it looks so good.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte NC
The reason I wanted adjustability is because installing and removing the front springs multiple times to get just the right ride height sounded like a major PITA. I thought since I was re-doing the suspension anyways, I might look into coil-overs...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte NC
I got a quote from Van Horne Racing Motorsports Parts & Accessories http://www.vanhorneracing.com/. They dont have them on the webpage, but they said they can get them for a little over $200 for one set ($400 for whole front). Ahh, here is the email:
"The only shocks that QA1 has for your corvette are a 12 externally adjustable. They are a race shock for your application and you can put a set of Moroso Trick springs on the front as well.
"The shocks are $136.95 each and the Moroso Springs would be $74.95 for the pair."
What do you think about these? She sent me pics, too. Look like regular old QA1 shocks and springs.
"The only shocks that QA1 has for your corvette are a 12 externally adjustable. They are a race shock for your application and you can put a set of Moroso Trick springs on the front as well.
"The shocks are $136.95 each and the Moroso Springs would be $74.95 for the pair."
What do you think about these? She sent me pics, too. Look like regular old QA1 shocks and springs.