C4 Suspension differences (early vs late)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Janesville WI
C4 Suspension differences (early vs late)
I just purchased an 84 Corvette. It has an LS1 in it, and I will be building it as a mainly road course car (though still streetable).
My understanding is that 84 suspension is different than 88 and later, right?
They change the front to reduce scrub, right?
88 and up cars require different offset, that much I do know.
What I want to know is what exactly was changed?
I'm wondering how much of a hassle it would be to upgrade to later year parts, so I can use the big brake kits and wheels (w/out spacers) of the later cars. Also, if the geometry is better on 88+ cars this should be a bennifit on the track.
So if someone could explain what parts are different, or will need to be changed to update. Or a link to another thread - although I did search.
Pics and/or diagrams would be great!
Thanks in advance!
My understanding is that 84 suspension is different than 88 and later, right?
They change the front to reduce scrub, right?
88 and up cars require different offset, that much I do know.
What I want to know is what exactly was changed?
I'm wondering how much of a hassle it would be to upgrade to later year parts, so I can use the big brake kits and wheels (w/out spacers) of the later cars. Also, if the geometry is better on 88+ cars this should be a bennifit on the track.
So if someone could explain what parts are different, or will need to be changed to update. Or a link to another thread - although I did search.
Pics and/or diagrams would be great!
Thanks in advance!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,406
Likes: 2,744
You might do better or gather more direct information if you took this also to the road racing/autocross section:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,171
Likes: 1,735
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=suspension
from last week
However, the brake adapters are not a big deal and they do make wheels for us to clear them in our offsets, I dont know exactly why you want to change since 84 is regarded as the best handling and the LS1 makes up for its glaring weakness.
from last week
However, the brake adapters are not a big deal and they do make wheels for us to clear them in our offsets, I dont know exactly why you want to change since 84 is regarded as the best handling and the LS1 makes up for its glaring weakness.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Janesville WI
Thanks Vader.
I read that thread. Just hoping for more specifics and maybe a pic or diagram.
Also wanting reasoning for the changes (I assume it was inprovment of some kind).
Also the later offset opens up a lot of wheel choices (read cheap).
And the later brake upgrades appear cheaper.
I read that thread. Just hoping for more specifics and maybe a pic or diagram.
Also wanting reasoning for the changes (I assume it was inprovment of some kind).
Also the later offset opens up a lot of wheel choices (read cheap).
And the later brake upgrades appear cheaper.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,171
Likes: 1,735
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
GM made changes to improve the ride quality and retaining the agility of the car based on information from the Corvette Challenge series. They lowered spring rates but the better sway bars and geometrical changes allowed them to keep the handling nearly the same.
But the 84 can handle better, guys were still racing them and winning.
There is more in the archives if you wish to do the extensive search.
But the 84 can handle better, guys were still racing them and winning.
There is more in the archives if you wish to do the extensive search.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,861
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
The later frames were stiffened up as well.
See if you can find a later Z51 car in a yard or either fab up the pieces
since this is a track car, putting a well thought out cage in the car will really stiffen it up and greatly improve performance.
See if you can find a later Z51 car in a yard or either fab up the pieces
since this is a track car, putting a well thought out cage in the car will really stiffen it up and greatly improve performance.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
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