log wagon
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
log wagon
1985 with the z51 option,,,,, love the old car but man it rides rough. hit a 1" deep spot in the road and it feels like the car has no shock dampening at all. I realize the z51 set up is stiffer than the base set up but this thing is way to harsh. the spings appear to be in excellent condition , the shocks are the original bilsteins front and rear,,,,,...first thing I will do is change out the shocks..........need help with choosing a new shock.........just want to drive the car no raceing interest.
Last edited by j/t; Mar 7, 2011 at 04:51 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Derby (Wichita area) KS
My 89 has the "comfort ride" suspention. It rides very smooth for a Corvette. The early C4 Z51 set ups were by far the harshest set ups going...
If I were you I would see if there are any aspiring autocrossers or road racers nearby (maybe local Corvette club) with standard suspention cars looking to "upgrade". That is if originality is not important to you. They would see the Z51 springs & bars as an upgrade.
Not sure if all years C4 are interchangable but somone on this board will probably know.
If I were you I would see if there are any aspiring autocrossers or road racers nearby (maybe local Corvette club) with standard suspention cars looking to "upgrade". That is if originality is not important to you. They would see the Z51 springs & bars as an upgrade.
Not sure if all years C4 are interchangable but somone on this board will probably know.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,008
From: Texas
If you are riding around with it on the "hardest setting" that means you have FX3. FX3 Z51 cars didn't get the Z51 springs....only the rest of the package. Starting in 1991, with RPO Z07 is when Z51 springs were finally added to the FX3 Z51 cars. All of this means that you have the base suspension springs.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Sussex,Wi
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
log wagon
Here are the rpo codes on my car.....fe7 (high performance supension),....fg3 (preloaded gas shock absorbers)....z51(performance handling pakage) there is no fx3 rpo code on the car..........I checked both transverse spings and found no signs of excessive wear,delamination,stress cracks or anything of that nature. all i want to do is install a new set of shock absorbers . I guess the obvious choice would be the bilstein shocks, but if by useing another shock absorber, (kyb,delco,ect) I might be able to take a little edge off the harshness of the ride, that is what I am looking for. If not thats ok too. NOTE: the car only has 42000 miles on it.
Last edited by j/t; Mar 7, 2011 at 08:33 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Suggest checking the date code on the tires. If they are old they are part of the problem. Tires continue to cure during their life & heat cycles. New tires with compliant sidewalls make a world of difference in ride quality.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
Here are the rpo codes on my car.....fe7 (high performance supension),....fg3 (preloaded gas shock absorbers)....z51(performance handling pakage) there is no fx3 rpo code on the car..........I checked both transverse spings and found no signs of excessive wear,delamination,stress cracks or anything of that nature. all i want to do is install a new set of shock absorbers . I guess the obvious choice would be the bilstein shocks, but if by useing another shock absorber, (kyb,delco,ect) I might be able to take a little edge off the harshness of the ride, that is what I am looking for. If not thats ok too. NOTE: the car only has 42000 miles on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO USE MONROE SHOCKS!
KYB or the Bilstein sports would be a good option.
KYB or the Bilstein sports would be a good option.
