Adjustable air shocks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: el cajon ca
Adjustable air shocks
Hi everyone , has anyone installed adjustable hight air shocks on his vette? I have a low body kit and I wanna make my life easier!! A friend of mine told me it costed him around $600 for set of 4 with the air compressor and every thing else for his hit rod but he installed it by himself, but I'm not sure if I can find those shocks for my 91, so has anyone done that?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: el cajon ca
It's been long time since i started this thread, but really no body has done it yet? I'm in my second front spoiler now and I can't pass to tecate Mexico to go to my favorate buddy shop with my buddy kit because it hits the speed bumps at the border coming back!! And I hate to feel that there is places I can't get into them with my vette just because it's low!!!
I mean come on guys it's a corvette!! It should be limitless!!!
I mean come on guys it's a corvette!! It should be limitless!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
I have thought about putting coil overs and then maybe 2 bags on the front where the original leaf would mount, just to lift the nose a little to go over bumps like a ferarri does.
I dont want the damn bags as suspension.
The only reference I could find on this type of thing. ou are on your own.
I dont want the damn bags as suspension.
The only reference I could find on this type of thing. ou are on your own.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Bag's are fantastic, the rear would be a pain as there isn't much clearance for them, but I think ride tech might have something that would fit. Just get a set of shockwaves, similar to that last picture you posted that has the LT-5 showing.
Air shocks ride/handle like crap...but if you just want adjustability, they might work good just in the front for your application. Then just run the airlines and mount a compressor. I'd add a two or three gallon air tank so you can pop it up quicker when coming up to higher objects unexpectedly. I'd run four valves so they run independently of each other. It's a little backwoods, but if you don't drive your car hard, you probably wouldn't notice much difference.
Good luck
These badboys might work in the rear --> http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspen...00-series.html
I'd run their more standard shockwave for the front -->http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspen...00-series.html
These would take a much more expensive air system though. 8 valves, air line, at least a 5 gallon tank and dual compressors (I'd mount it in place of the spare tire). Would be fun to say the least though...and if tuned right, bags can out handle leaf springs and some cases coilovers (doubt in on a vette, but you never know).
Air shocks ride/handle like crap...but if you just want adjustability, they might work good just in the front for your application. Then just run the airlines and mount a compressor. I'd add a two or three gallon air tank so you can pop it up quicker when coming up to higher objects unexpectedly. I'd run four valves so they run independently of each other. It's a little backwoods, but if you don't drive your car hard, you probably wouldn't notice much difference.
Good luck
These badboys might work in the rear --> http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspen...00-series.html
I'd run their more standard shockwave for the front -->http://www.ridetech.com/store/suspen...00-series.html
These would take a much more expensive air system though. 8 valves, air line, at least a 5 gallon tank and dual compressors (I'd mount it in place of the spare tire). Would be fun to say the least though...and if tuned right, bags can out handle leaf springs and some cases coilovers (doubt in on a vette, but you never know).
Last edited by shakedown067; Sep 8, 2011 at 03:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: el cajon ca
I have thought about putting coil overs and then maybe 2 bags on the front where the original leaf would mount, just to lift the nose a little to go over bumps like a ferarri does.
I dont want the damn bags as suspension.
The only reference I could find on this type of thing. ou are on your own.
I dont want the damn bags as suspension.
The only reference I could find on this type of thing. ou are on your own.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: el cajon ca
Oh by the way, the front spoiler it's not a big deal at the speed bumps, as I learned how tk avoid hitting it by taking the bump sideways, but what I can never avoid is scratching the bottom of the headers flanges and some times the center cat too, but I think 2" or 3" lift at the front would take good care of that too, beside I'll be able to get to the street from a parking lot easier without needing to take the whole exit with my sideway exiting so I dont let the spoiler kiss the street!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 20
From: Conroe, Texas
Oh by the way, the front spoiler it's not a big deal at the speed bumps, as I learned how tk avoid hitting it by taking the bump sideways, but what I can never avoid is scratching the bottom of the headers flanges and some times the center cat too, but I think 2" or 3" lift at the front would take good care of that too, beside I'll be able to get to the street from a parking lot easier without needing to take the whole exit with my sideway exiting so I dont let the spoiler kiss the street!!!!
IMHO......If I was having all these problems due to lowering my car....I would just return it to stock height and save all the money that will be invested in a work-around.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
You might check with these guys during the week. I typed in 1988 and did get a selection of stuff. And as for the post above mine I have a stock 99 and I still drag bottom places so a stock ride height does not mean you won't drag some places. Here is the link.
http://www.myhotcorvette.com/Suspens...spension-Kits/
http://www.myhotcorvette.com/Suspens...spension-Kits/
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: el cajon ca
But I like my car low and nice and i like it's budy kit, and even when it's stock it's still not high enough as the regular cars, and since it's my daily driver, I would love to be able to go wherever i want with it
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
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From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Hi, thanks for the replies, I like the idea of the coilovers with the 2 bags at the front, I drive my vette hard usually, and handling is important for me, in case I go the coilover route, which are not cheap, I will need some really low coast air bags( since I will just use them when I need a small lift) so how would I be able to mount those bags on the car without letting them effect the handling of the car when they are not used?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: el cajon ca
Thanks a lot guys for all these ideas, I have now more info about what I want to do to my vette, well first will be the coil overs and then I'll see if I still need to fit couple air bags at the front only at least!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
I didn't think about it before, but you could run the smallest shockwave (bag over shock) up front and keep the leaf springs, it wouldn't drop the car, but would raise it up. Air Ride Technologies uses QA-1 shocks, so you wouldn't loose any handling, and maybe gain some. There would be no need to go to rear coilovers either.
I'd use the 7000 series, generally for the rear, but you don't need it to hold much weight for 99% of the time.
I'd then loose the spare tire (just keep a can of fix-a-flat & mini-compressor in the car, and I suggest towing through your insurance or AAA), then add an AirPod under the rear of the car. This will keep it clean and VERY easy to install.
Anything else you want to know about air ride, just let me know.
I'd use the 7000 series, generally for the rear, but you don't need it to hold much weight for 99% of the time.
I'd then loose the spare tire (just keep a can of fix-a-flat & mini-compressor in the car, and I suggest towing through your insurance or AAA), then add an AirPod under the rear of the car. This will keep it clean and VERY easy to install.
Anything else you want to know about air ride, just let me know.
Last edited by shakedown067; Sep 14, 2011 at 09:27 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: el cajon ca
By the way, just today I had really hard time getting out of some really high parking lot to the street, when I got in,I took sharp side way to avoid hitting the front spoiler to the ground, leaving it, I was lucky I had my cousin with me and had him get down from the car to watch it's front end while I was approaching slowly and side way too, till he stopped me telling me that I'm stocked and there is no way to avoid smashing the front bumper!!! I smiled and backed up inside the parking lot, made a U turn, and then left the parking lot on the reverse and side way, just like the same way I got in!!!! And it worked out great! And that made me think that I really need to get my idea done soon to make driving it more enjoyable and less risky!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Yeah, I don't know how you guys with ground effects do it. I'd rip them off in a couple of days with the bumps, potholes and speed bumps I go through nearly everyday (I'm lowered so it'd be impossible in some cases). I have a stainless steel air dam so it's quite entertaining for me to just scrape the hell out of it and watch people jump!
Oh, it's just personal preference, but you may want to consider upgrading the rear shocks while you are at it if they haven't been replaced in quite some time. QA-1's to match the shockwaves, or bilsteins for good handling without breaking the budget. I suggest talking to Ride Tech before you purchase anything. Ask for Tony, he's the man! You're going to want to make sure you get the right length shockwaves and mounts for them.
Oh, it's just personal preference, but you may want to consider upgrading the rear shocks while you are at it if they haven't been replaced in quite some time. QA-1's to match the shockwaves, or bilsteins for good handling without breaking the budget. I suggest talking to Ride Tech before you purchase anything. Ask for Tony, he's the man! You're going to want to make sure you get the right length shockwaves and mounts for them.
Last edited by shakedown067; Sep 15, 2011 at 08:41 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
They used to be popular many years ago, shock absorbers with a small air bag that enabled you to raise a car with a trailer attached.
see link of an old advertisement
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1974-MONR...item2a0b74cf2f
I have known of cars with these front and rear to adjust by a 12 volt pump for going over speed bumps. Then lowering the car for highway use, best of both worlds in those days hopefully some one still makes them.
Gerard
see link of an old advertisement
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1974-MONR...item2a0b74cf2f
I have known of cars with these front and rear to adjust by a 12 volt pump for going over speed bumps. Then lowering the car for highway use, best of both worlds in those days hopefully some one still makes them.
Gerard
