Coilover front end spring rates?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,839
Likes: 291
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Any of you guys running progressive rate springs
They start off soft getting stiffer as the spring compresses.
We used to do that on a race car. It allowed for a smaller sway bar.
They start off soft getting stiffer as the spring compresses.
We used to do that on a race car. It allowed for a smaller sway bar.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
It is not a real concern for me but it is good to know.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
I hate to ask this but I was in the process of ordering the Heim Links and I noticed that Exotic Muscle has Bilstean Coilovers.
Anyone use the Bilstein coilovers?
OK, I did some searching and it looks like the Exotic Muscle CO's are Bilstein non-adjustable shocks.
The good part is the front spring is 2.875 (7/8") diameter.
Edit #2
I ordered the Heim Links today from EM, they should be here mid next week withan insatll on on April 7th!
Anyone use the Bilstein coilovers?
OK, I did some searching and it looks like the Exotic Muscle CO's are Bilstein non-adjustable shocks.
The good part is the front spring is 2.875 (7/8") diameter.
Edit #2
I ordered the Heim Links today from EM, they should be here mid next week withan insatll on on April 7th!
Last edited by LD85; Apr 18, 2007 at 04:36 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Penna.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
OK, I ordered the QA1 parts today based on Mo's web site. Ordered teh Heim links last Wednesday, so all parts will arrive by next Wednesday,,, install a week from
Looks like I'm going with 400# Front & 275# Rears.
Thanks to eveyone for the helpful input,,,,,,
Overall the experience of forum members that actually run CO's has grown since 2003 when I last considered this. So I feel much more comfortable going this route.
Looks like I'm going with 400# Front & 275# Rears.
Thanks to eveyone for the helpful input,,,,,,
Overall the experience of forum members that actually run CO's has grown since 2003 when I last considered this. So I feel much more comfortable going this route.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 985
Likes: 17
From: St. Louis Missouri
I posted a similar question in the road race forum you may want to peruse.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1592108
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1592108
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
I posted a similar question in the road race forum you may want to peruse.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1592108
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1592108
so on the rear, you only moved the shock hole, and you used the original bolt mount holes?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 985
Likes: 17
From: St. Louis Missouri
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 59
From: Fremont Oh
I posted a similar question in the road race forum you may want to peruse.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1592108
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1592108
Thank you for the kind words, if you have any questions please feel free to email me or PM me i'll be happy to help you out...
MO
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Cleveland oh
I'm running a 450lb spring in mine and it feels pretty soft. I guess I was expecting it to be a bit stiffer than my o.e. '94 fe-1, but it doesn't "feel" like it. Maybe because it's more compliant by design. I'm pretty certain I'm going to go to at least 600 for hpde usage.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
I'm running a 450lb spring in mine and it feels pretty soft. I guess I was expecting it to be a bit stiffer than my o.e. '94 fe-1, but it doesn't "feel" like it. Maybe because it's more compliant by design. I'm pretty certain I'm going to go to at least 600 for hpde usage.
Maybe you just got used to them,,, did you attempt to adjust them?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Hey Buddy,
Hope all is well!
I came across this topic...I wanted to ask,do you need to reinforce the front shock supports? I heard the 84-87 frame-shock areas were thinner then the 88 and up cars,and cracks in the metal can happen,or along the welds?
May just be a urban legend for C4s but just wanted to say check that info out.MAybe someone reading will know.
TAlk more soon!
Hope all is well!
I came across this topic...I wanted to ask,do you need to reinforce the front shock supports? I heard the 84-87 frame-shock areas were thinner then the 88 and up cars,and cracks in the metal can happen,or along the welds?
May just be a urban legend for C4s but just wanted to say check that info out.MAybe someone reading will know.
TAlk more soon!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Hey Buddy,
Hope all is well!
I came across this topic...I wanted to ask,do you need to reinforce the front shock supports? I heard the 84-87 frame-shock areas were thinner then the 88 and up cars,and cracks in the metal can happen,or along the welds?
May just be a urban legend for C4s but just wanted to say check that info out.MAybe someone reading will know.
TAlk more soon!
Hope all is well!
I came across this topic...I wanted to ask,do you need to reinforce the front shock supports? I heard the 84-87 frame-shock areas were thinner then the 88 and up cars,and cracks in the metal can happen,or along the welds?
May just be a urban legend for C4s but just wanted to say check that info out.MAybe someone reading will know.
TAlk more soon!
I will check on the shock towers this weekend. If necessary, I can weld supports onto the sides of the towers if necessary.
I have not heard from many people that have them on 84-87's.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Thanks MO, I looked them over and I will add some weld to the side of the shock towers and if neccesary, I will add some 1/8 or 3/16 stainless tell to the outer profile of the tower too.
Adding weld is the easy part!
Adding weld is the easy part!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 985
Likes: 17
From: St. Louis Missouri
Don't weld before you bend the towers out. The springs hit the sides. I used a giant crescent wrench. As far as the weight transfer for drag racing, I was at the track last week and one of my buddies said my car took off like a missile. It didn't lift and didn't squat, just went. I busted the spider gears in my Dana 36 with cheater slicks, still managed a 12.77 with a 1.7 60 ft.