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I did front coil overs using my existing Bilsteins. Grabbed a coil over kit and some appropriate springs. Had the shocks grooved locally. I think my total was under $250.00. I only did the front so far. Used the lowering bolts on the rear. It has been a year and a bit - no issues so far.
I had (still have) a Z51 front spring. I installed the lowering wedges, removed the pads. The front would not drop.
There is a thread on here about doing this a while back. User Agent86 I believe.
Nice looking C4's in this thread. Coilovers would be my first choice but it's hard to justify $1,500-$2,000 right now. I'm going to look at VB&P's adjustable front spring for the front and longer bolts for the rear.
This is kind of the look what I'm shooting for,my former 90 ZR-1.
Clint,
I have a GB going over on the ZR-1 net right now for coilovers from Doug Rippie. $800 shipped for the set up. LMK if you are intrested.
Clint,
I have a GB going over on the ZR-1 net right now for coilovers from Doug Rippie. $800 shipped for the set up. LMK if you are interested.
-Daniel
I appreciate the offer,Daniel,but by the time I buy the DRM kit,rebuild/revalve our FX3 shocks,and get the other needed parts from Carter,the cost would be pushing $1500. That's too much money to spend just to lower the car 1",front & rear.
I need or want to do mine, It's an 85 Z51 car. I will be doing just a standard kit. Question to those with the same, did your ride quality change much ? I would like to do the coil overs but it's an 85 and there are no decent kits for the narrow front towers.
Question to those with the same, did your ride quality change much?
No Z51 but, I was surprised to find that the ride quality was really unnoticeable to me...Even with the 19" wheels!...
I was expecting a harsher bumpier ride but, it feels the same as stock but, Better!
One word of advise...The Wedge kit that you buy, will only lower the front by about 1/4". The corvette shop I took mine to didn't believe me until my vette was off the lift and even after driving for a day. The corvette shop finally did what I wanted them to do in the first place which was, Shave the stock center spring rubber down to about 1/4" and shave the rubber on the spring ends down.
After,... My 91 Vette was sitting Perfectly!
To the OP, even with coil overs, the front spring will still have to be removed. You might as well just save your money and shave the stock rubber...
As I stated earlier, I did the EM coilovers and heim joint suspension on my '85 and I just got back from a trip to the "Tail of the Dragon". I never knew that car could turn so tight and not even slip a bit. I was going in to a hard right hairpin when a crotch rocket came down from the other way right on the centerline, I thought I was going to get him because I was pushing it when we met. I cranked the wheel hard right and missed him completely, I could not believe the car could hold like that. If you just want the cosmetics then just lower it with wedges & bolts but if you want it to handle like it should then coilovers are the only way to go.
I cut the rubber pads on the front spring to 1/2 thickness and I re-drilled the holes for the cotter-pins to the lowest possible point on the long bolts that hold the ends of the rear spring. (Longer bolts = lower rear end)
Before (excuse old calendar pic)
After
Will moving the nuts to the end of the bolts drop the rear end at least a inch? That's all I want. Will the bolt be strong enough with the original pin hole above it?