bone jaring ride
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)
1) Because it's a sports car designed in the mid 80's with an awesome (but not docile) suspension and a somewhat "loose" frame.
2) Enjoy the ride! If your shocks are bad, your ride will firm up a bit by replacing them. Bilsteins for handling, but KYBs ride nice (although dont handle as well, but are cheaper.) Also check your tire pressure, maybe its too high?
2) Enjoy the ride! If your shocks are bad, your ride will firm up a bit by replacing them. Bilsteins for handling, but KYBs ride nice (although dont handle as well, but are cheaper.) Also check your tire pressure, maybe its too high?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)
If its Z51, then its supposed to.
Buy new shocks, yours are probably worn out. Bilsteins are good for a autocrosser and road handling. Edelbrock IAS and KYB for a softer ride, but realize youll lose some handling.
The leaf springs can also wear out over time, it may be time for a replacement. You can drop down to the base spring to soften things up instead of the Z51.
Also be sure that the tire pressure is around 32-35psi.
Buy new shocks, yours are probably worn out. Bilsteins are good for a autocrosser and road handling. Edelbrock IAS and KYB for a softer ride, but realize youll lose some handling.
The leaf springs can also wear out over time, it may be time for a replacement. You can drop down to the base spring to soften things up instead of the Z51.
Also be sure that the tire pressure is around 32-35psi.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
From: NJ
St. Jude Contributor
Re: bone jaring ride (NBM LS1 M6)
I love the feel of my 84 (non Z51). Handles like its on rails. My friends are always amazed how well it takes corners (one drives an SUV). Much fun Much Fun :cheers:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,202
Likes: 9
From: St. louis, MO
Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)
How do you tell if its a Z51??Do not have the builtsheet.
Sports cars ride rough, makes them handle better, if you want a soft ride, maybe trade it for a Caddy. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Clifton co
Re: bone jaring ride (Gary96LT4)
When I say boan jaring I mean that every piece of plastic and trim is either broke or split. This vett has only 86000 on it and is in perfect condition. Springs and shocks are like new as well as the tires. I also own a caddy and a number of other sports cars. So I don't want another caddy just ideas.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)
When I say boan jaring I mean that every piece of plastic and trim is either broke or split. This vett has only 86000 on it and is in perfect condition. Springs and shocks are like new as well as the tires. I also own a caddy and a number of other sports cars. So I don't want another caddy just ideas.
You can replace bushings, but they make little difference in comparison.
Drop down to the base suspension, and buy some cheapo shocks if you want it fixed. Otherwise deal with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 0
From: Pineville, Louisiana
Re: bone jaring ride (vader86)
You can lower your air pressure in your tires too. I have seen some lower to 28 lbs just to get a smoother ride, but you sacrifice tire life too that way. If you are running a lower tire pressure you will get more sidewall flex which in turn heats up the tire. The more heat you run in a tire the less tire life you will have so its up to you. :yesnod:
Your best bet is to buy some cheaper shocks but keep in mind , since you aren't wanting a autocross car, that you will lose some of that cornering on a rail sensation too. One thing will help, buy a newer C4...the 96 is supposed to have the softest ride. :lol:
[Modified by CowboyNVette, 9:33 PM 12/27/2002]
Your best bet is to buy some cheaper shocks but keep in mind , since you aren't wanting a autocross car, that you will lose some of that cornering on a rail sensation too. One thing will help, buy a newer C4...the 96 is supposed to have the softest ride. :lol:
[Modified by CowboyNVette, 9:33 PM 12/27/2002]
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Ashford CT
Re: bone jaring ride (CowboyNVette)
My ex's 85 with 59k on it handled nice and all, but every bump you went over the whole car rattled. Stuff inside, stuff outside, stuff underneath. She had a few broken pieces of plastic too. My 96 with 59k on it rides sweet. In fact, everyone I have taken in it for a spin has commented on well it rides for a sports car. Some of those same people rode in the 85 and they all said it was a rattle trap. Get a newer one I guess??? Oh yeah, no offense to you earlier year C4 owners. Driving the 85 is what made me want one, rattles and all. Besides, I don't know much about the history of that 85. It was definitely fun to drive! :thumbs: I am sure they made many small changes and improvements over the years, but my '96 has it's share of rattles too. I think every car has some squeaks and rattles somewhere or another. Good luck! :)
Oh yeah, post your VIN# and I'll give you all the options it has and let you know what warranty work was done to the car. :cheers:
[Modified by Hamert, 11:47 PM 12/27/2002]
Oh yeah, post your VIN# and I'll give you all the options it has and let you know what warranty work was done to the car. :cheers:
[Modified by Hamert, 11:47 PM 12/27/2002]
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)
Look underneath for the extra braces.
Like this one I bent http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/nov...l/bent_bar.jpg
Like this one I bent http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/nov...l/bent_bar.jpg
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,839
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From: Louisville,KY
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)
If you want a soft ride.....install new springs and shocks from VetteBrakes. They will fix you up......just tell them what you want. :yesnod: :cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 41,484
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St. Jude Donor '09
Re: bone jaring ride (insanegt1)
Although not the same year, etc. I had specifically serched for (and obviously found) that Z51 option in the 96 (shown in my current sig) It absolutely rides differently then the base as well as select-a-ride but it was what I deliberately wanted in this particular purchase for my collection.
Yes some people have commented it is not a soft ride, etc.
The RPO decal in the cubby hole lid told me what I wanted to know. Z51
Yes some people have commented it is not a soft ride, etc.
The RPO decal in the cubby hole lid told me what I wanted to know. Z51