Leaf spring question
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Joined: Oct 2013
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Leaf spring question
My new leaf spring just arrived...I'm wondering in combination with new shocks will it help in NOT feeling EVERY CRACK IN THE ROAD....lol...mind you I don't want or expect a "Cadillac" ride but I'm sure it wasn't ment to be that bumpy...
Shocks....:Tokico® HP Series Gas Shocks - 84-87 Chevy Corvette (w/o Electric Suspension) - (REAR PAIR)
Shocks....:Tokico® HP Series Gas Shocks - 84-87 Chevy Corvette (w/o Electric Suspension) - (REAR PAIR)
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: Murphy NC
I would get and install a new bushing kit.
Just curious, but why are you so stuck on going with shocks more geared towards import tuners cars? Just because they "fit" doesn't mean they are made for and engineered for our cars.
Just curious, but why are you so stuck on going with shocks more geared towards import tuners cars? Just because they "fit" doesn't mean they are made for and engineered for our cars.
Safety Car
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Drifting
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From: Murphy NC
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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If you are looking for a nice ride, you are not going to find it on your Vette. Specially when you have an early C4 which are known to be the harshest of all. You have the FE1, the softest of all.
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And base 84 is the Z51 suspension of the later years
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...e-quality.html
Team Owner
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OP = the 224 lb spring is I'd think the softest ride that you'll be able to find and when combined with shock package that's maybe a match it will likely give you the ride you're maybe looking for. You also want to research the shim-stack for the FE1 and use that shim-stack when assembling the vehicle. I'm not familiar with the shock you mention but it's a start.
You might need to maybe consider doing the "other end" of the car also but yours I'd say a reasonable starting point.
You might need to maybe consider doing the "other end" of the car also but yours I'd say a reasonable starting point.
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Okay...thanks for feed back....first off, the shock choice I learned about here...not on a "import turner forum" I firmly believe you get what u pay for...with that being said the summery description of the shocks described exactly what I'm looking for and the only ones more expensive were the Koni's which were described more as a track shock..the only difference was the year of vette the tokicos were on...and I'm wondering if anyone had or has them on my year..an 84...
Next...my bad...it's a base(none z51)1984 corvette...
And a "shim-stack??.....gotta google that one....
I have new bushings and bolts for the new leaf spring....also doing the front(on order from Ecklers)leaf when it arrives..
1984-96 (C4) Composite Front Leaf Spring
Part #: 50746
Price:
$399.99 ea.
Low Price Guarantee
Qty:1
Next...my bad...it's a base(none z51)1984 corvette...
And a "shim-stack??.....gotta google that one....
I have new bushings and bolts for the new leaf spring....also doing the front(on order from Ecklers)leaf when it arrives..
1984-96 (C4) Composite Front Leaf Spring
Part #: 50746
Price:
$399.99 ea.
Low Price Guarantee
Qty:1
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,360
Likes: 2,729
Okay...thanks for feed back....first off, the shock choice I learned about here...not on a "import turner forum" I firmly believe you get what u pay for...with that being said the summery description of the shocks described exactly what I'm looking for and the only ones more expensive were the Koni's which were described more as a track shock..the only difference was the year of vette the tokicos were on...and I'm wondering if anyone had or has them on my year..an 84...
Next...my bad...it's a base(none z51)1984 corvette...
And a "shim-stack??.....gotta google that one....
I have new bushings and bolts for the new leaf spring....also doing the front(on order from Ecklers)leaf when it arrives..
1984-96 (C4) Composite Front Leaf Spring
Part #: 50746
Price:
$399.99 ea.
Low Price Guarantee
Qty:1
Next...my bad...it's a base(none z51)1984 corvette...
And a "shim-stack??.....gotta google that one....
I have new bushings and bolts for the new leaf spring....also doing the front(on order from Ecklers)leaf when it arrives..
1984-96 (C4) Composite Front Leaf Spring
Part #: 50746
Price:
$399.99 ea.
Low Price Guarantee
Qty:1
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Joined: Oct 2013
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There's shims and spacer both above and below the rear leaf spring at the mounting points on the "rear cover" - There are different "stacks" used both above and below for various spring selections. Covered well in the FSM - if you don't know what do with them just "pay attention" where they were when you remove them and put them back in the same locations. There are various thicknesses.
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It's great when you have a reliable and honest shop....instead of doing what I asked(which would've been a waste of money)I was told my stock leaf spring is fine...but the autozone Gabriel shocks I put on are crap for the vette that is...so I sent back my leaf and exchanged for the KYB Gas Adjustables...&...a new front weather stripping...rain season...so in a few weeks I'll be putting the KYB's on...after all the reading here, they seem to be the way to go for what I'm looking for...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,360
Likes: 2,729
It's great when you have a reliable and honest shop....instead of doing what I asked(which would've been a waste of money)I was told my stock leaf spring is fine...but the autozone Gabriel shocks I put on are crap for the vette that is...so I sent back my leaf and exchanged for the KYB Gas Adjustables...&...a new front weather stripping...rain season...so in a few weeks I'll be putting the KYB's on...after all the reading here, they seem to be the way to go for what I'm looking for...
If your car is an '84 don't count on the shocks doing all that you ask of them. If the spring on your car is the original it is "next" to the stiffest ever done for the C4. Only the '84 Z51 was "stiffer". If money isn't an issue you might want to hold on to it until the job is done. Did you have them get you the code off of the spring that's there now?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 12
From: Indiana
The statement that your existing spring is fine leads me to doubt the reliability of your choice in mechanics. That spring was considered the worst (stiffest) ever put on the C4 except for the Z51 of that year. I have a 96' with that spring you sent back and some QA-1 shocks set on three and the car has a fantastic ride. You missed a great chance at having one of the best riding C4's there is. I like the QA-1's because they have a **** that is easy to reach for adjusting them. I can change the way my car rides in less then 90 seconds. The shocks are not going to make that big of a change because the springs are the known problem.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,331
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I went with the VBP Sport rear leaf
rate of 480 to 510.
Coupled with Bilstein 6 HD shocks, on Continental Extreme Contact DWS rubber.
The car is incredibly smooth especially compared to where it was when I started.
You'd never know that rear spring was so stiffly well sprung. Bumps that used to rattle my teeth, don't even do more than make the car shudder a little now.
Was worth every penny for that spring.
The newer composites are more forgiving than the ancient junk we had on our cars when they were new.
rate of 480 to 510.
Coupled with Bilstein 6 HD shocks, on Continental Extreme Contact DWS rubber.
The car is incredibly smooth especially compared to where it was when I started.
You'd never know that rear spring was so stiffly well sprung. Bumps that used to rattle my teeth, don't even do more than make the car shudder a little now.
Was worth every penny for that spring.
The newer composites are more forgiving than the ancient junk we had on our cars when they were new.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
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The statement that your existing spring is fine leads me to doubt the reliability of your choice in mechanics. That spring was considered the worst (stiffest) ever put on the C4 except for the Z51 of that year. I have a 96' with that spring you sent back and some QA-1 shocks set on three and the car has a fantastic ride. You missed a great chance at having one of the best riding C4's there is. I like the QA-1's because they have a **** that is easy to reach for adjusting them. I can change the way my car rides in less then 90 seconds. The shocks are not going to make that big of a change because the springs are the known problem.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 628
Likes: 12
From: Indiana
You are going to be real happy with the new spring/shock combo.
Through the entire run of the C4 series they went with progressively softer springs and finally got it right in 96'. The springs are 90% of the ride and the shocks are the rest. I set my shocks on the softer side and get a very pleasing ride. If I go above 5 setting wise the car gets a little bouncy on rough roads.
Through the entire run of the C4 series they went with progressively softer springs and finally got it right in 96'. The springs are 90% of the ride and the shocks are the rest. I set my shocks on the softer side and get a very pleasing ride. If I go above 5 setting wise the car gets a little bouncy on rough roads.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 161
Likes: 5
From: Orlando Fl
I purchased the EZ Ride rear spring from Ecklers. I replaced the stock shocks with Monroe gas shocks. Every bushing that could be replaced was replaced. Rubber when it could be found, urethane otherwise.
The car is no longer jarring, cruises nice, and still handles well on sweeping curves. I'm a cruiser, not an autocrosser, so this setup has made the car's ride much, much better than it was when I purchased it earlier this year.
The car is no longer jarring, cruises nice, and still handles well on sweeping curves. I'm a cruiser, not an autocrosser, so this setup has made the car's ride much, much better than it was when I purchased it earlier this year.