rear coilover mount doesn't look strong enough..
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 1
rear coilover mount doesn't look strong enough..
I am trying to come up with the best suspension change to my new ZR1 to make it feel and behave like my Z51 C4 (stiff ans it is, I really like it).
So, I thought coilovers would work, and looking at the mounting area for the shock in the rear, it just looks like it wasn't designed to deal with the stress of the entire rear weight without the leaf springs on just that one part.
I know DRM makes the coilover package, and people have used it but it looks like it's not a durable solution.
I'm thinking of just doing coilovers on the front, and putting Z51 shocks on the back.
Has this thought bothered anyone else into skipping them or adding more other hardware to attach the shock - or has anyone really had the rear coilovers for a long enough time to see if the car can really handle it.
thanks!
So, I thought coilovers would work, and looking at the mounting area for the shock in the rear, it just looks like it wasn't designed to deal with the stress of the entire rear weight without the leaf springs on just that one part.
I know DRM makes the coilover package, and people have used it but it looks like it's not a durable solution.
I'm thinking of just doing coilovers on the front, and putting Z51 shocks on the back.
Has this thought bothered anyone else into skipping them or adding more other hardware to attach the shock - or has anyone really had the rear coilovers for a long enough time to see if the car can really handle it.
thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,692
Likes: 5
From: Hayward CA
What about the "Xtreme Touring Suspension" from Vette Brakes & Products?
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=575
http://www.vbandp.com/detail.aspx?ID=575
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I don't see how coilovers could possibly duplicate the Z51 suspension. You will need Bilstein sport shocks, different front and rear springs and anti-sway bars.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
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I guess duplicate isn't the way I'm looking at it - the car has some body roll, and it's suspension is sort of shot right now, so I'm looking at what I can do to get it as precise as possible. It's main purpose is autocrossing for me and since I need to do the susppension over before racing season starts and I don't know how the car would really feel with the FX3 shocks rebuilt, the best I can do is compare spring rates and try to come up with something that makes it turn well in extreme circumstances plus doesnt cost a forune.
I expected coilovers to be the way to go partly because the high horsepower Mustangs that can turn have them.
Maybe I'm wrong. Either way thought, the place that the shocks attach doesn't look strong enough to do coilovers.
I expected coilovers to be the way to go partly because the high horsepower Mustangs that can turn have them.
Maybe I'm wrong. Either way thought, the place that the shocks attach doesn't look strong enough to do coilovers.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
The FX3 is speed sensitive from the factory, the slower you go the softer it is. Which is BAD for autocrossing, but you can get a chip from Doug Rippie to fix that.
You can have your FX3 Bilsteins rebuilt for autocrossing.
Autocross spring are twice as stiff as the stiffest factory setup. They need to be because more autocross cars are lowered.
Do you plan on tracking it at all? If you do these spring will be too stiff for that application.
If your just starting out, get the shocks rebuilt and run it as is till you get a feel for it. You'll be much happier with the car that way.
Spend the $$$ on tires.
Are you coming to the BSCC Xmas party?
If there's still no snow, bring the car. We can go over it then.
You can have your FX3 Bilsteins rebuilt for autocrossing.
Autocross spring are twice as stiff as the stiffest factory setup. They need to be because more autocross cars are lowered.
Do you plan on tracking it at all? If you do these spring will be too stiff for that application.
If your just starting out, get the shocks rebuilt and run it as is till you get a feel for it. You'll be much happier with the car that way.
Spend the $$$ on tires.
Are you coming to the BSCC Xmas party?
If there's still no snow, bring the car. We can go over it then.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville FL
In 2000 I put a set of coilovers from EM on my 94. The car has several thousand miles, many at over 150 mph. The area it's mounted to is the frame, and it isn't going anywhere. At the same time I did ZR1 sway bars with heim links and polyurethane bushings everywhere. It is uncomfortably stiff but the best handling car I've ever been in. Feels considerably better than my 04 Z06. Good luck with your decision.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,167
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
I have the Coilover suspension from Callaway Cars on two of my C4's w/ one of them, having a custom sring rate - neither have had ANY issues and without the transverse spring, the road-feel is NICE, very nice.
Link: http://callawaycars.com/store/index....=4&prevstart=0
Link: http://callawaycars.com/store/index....=4&prevstart=0
Originally Posted by Barbara_S
I am trying to come up with the best suspension change to my new ZR1 to make it feel and behave like my Z51 C4 (stiff ans it is, I really like it).
So, I thought coilovers would work, and looking at the mounting area for the shock in the rear, it just looks like it wasn't designed to deal with the stress of the entire rear weight without the leaf springs on just that one part.
I know DRM makes the coilover package, and people have used it but it looks like it's not a durable solution.
I'm thinking of just doing coilovers on the front, and putting Z51 shocks on the back.
Has this thought bothered anyone else into skipping them or adding more other hardware to attach the shock - or has anyone really had the rear coilovers for a long enough time to see if the car can really handle it.
thanks!
So, I thought coilovers would work, and looking at the mounting area for the shock in the rear, it just looks like it wasn't designed to deal with the stress of the entire rear weight without the leaf springs on just that one part.
I know DRM makes the coilover package, and people have used it but it looks like it's not a durable solution.
I'm thinking of just doing coilovers on the front, and putting Z51 shocks on the back.
Has this thought bothered anyone else into skipping them or adding more other hardware to attach the shock - or has anyone really had the rear coilovers for a long enough time to see if the car can really handle it.
thanks!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by BrianCunningham
The FX3 is speed sensitive from the factory, the slower you go the softer it is. Which is BAD for autocrossing, but you can get a chip from Doug Rippie to fix that.
You can have your FX3 Bilsteins rebuilt for autocrossing.
Autocross spring are twice as stiff as the stiffest factory setup. They need to be because more autocross cars are lowered.
Do you plan on tracking it at all? If you do these spring will be too stiff for that application.
If your just starting out, get the shocks rebuilt and run it as is till you get a feel for it. You'll be much happier with the car that way.
Spend the $$$ on tires.
Are you coming to the BSCC Xmas party?
If there's still no snow, bring the car. We can go over it then.
You can have your FX3 Bilsteins rebuilt for autocrossing.
Autocross spring are twice as stiff as the stiffest factory setup. They need to be because more autocross cars are lowered.
Do you plan on tracking it at all? If you do these spring will be too stiff for that application.
If your just starting out, get the shocks rebuilt and run it as is till you get a feel for it. You'll be much happier with the car that way.
Spend the $$$ on tires.
Are you coming to the BSCC Xmas party?
If there's still no snow, bring the car. We can go over it then.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Even though this subject has been hashed over before, and several guys say they have had no problems whatsoever with the coilover mounting points, the rear lower mount looks far too suspect for me to trust it. It was designed to hold a shock, not support the weight of the rear of the car.
I'd stick with leaf springs and stiffer sway bars and dampers.
Larry
code5coupe
I'd stick with leaf springs and stiffer sway bars and dampers.
Larry
code5coupe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
Even though this subject has been hashed over before, and several guys say they have had no problems whatsoever with the coilover mounting points, the rear lower mount looks far too suspect for me to trust it. It was designed to hold a shock, not support the weight of the rear of the car.
I'd stick with leaf springs and stiffer sway bars and dampers.
Larry
code5coupe
I'd stick with leaf springs and stiffer sway bars and dampers.
Larry
code5coupe
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 469
Likes: 1
hi guys,
"doug rippie motor sport" coil over kit works just fine with out any issues or problems what so ever!
i should know as i have installed on my 1991 vette here in Australia!
so rest assure guys, they are cool,way to go for sure!
coil overs,no problem!
give randy @ drm a call on 763,477,9272.
he gives great service,great prices and help!
cheers
glen
sxyvet
Australia
"doug rippie motor sport" coil over kit works just fine with out any issues or problems what so ever!
i should know as i have installed on my 1991 vette here in Australia!
so rest assure guys, they are cool,way to go for sure!
coil overs,no problem!
give randy @ drm a call on 763,477,9272.
he gives great service,great prices and help!
cheers
glen
sxyvet
Australia
Last edited by sxyvet; Dec 13, 2006 at 06:02 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Ive never seen a set in anything other than pictures myself, but id imagine if there was ever going to be any issues then they wouldnt mount the way they do. It looks strong enough to me.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 1
Randy - I do fast autocrossing - we average 45 mph in a 1.5 mile loop with ~ 70 or 80 corners. Not a 7 corner track - so I have concerns. The knuckle that extends from the frame to attach the shock is 1 shear - and I did search this forum and looked at the DRM web site before posting here about it. I didn't see any supporting talk abolut the rear mount that would make me feel like that part of the car would really hold up to my kind of racing. And I had hoped to see something from you that would help me on this choice.
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,167
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,615
Likes: 13
From: Burlington NC
Same with our kit that I have sold hundreds of. Auto-x, road racing, normal driving, and over 200 mph driving. I have had a few customers crash test the system too, no problems what so ever. Tested on the same machine that gm did all there testing on. We have raced on the stock mounts, too many 1st places to remember. The mounts are strong.
Randy
Randy