Suspension upgrade?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
Suspension upgrade?
I have an 85 corvette. This leaves alot to be desired in the suspension upgrade section as my mounts are not 88+
Is there a kit out there I can buy or fab up (pics or links please) to mount newer shocks/springs/coilovers?
I am wanting to go with G-Force adjustable coilover system when it comes out in December.
Thanks
Is there a kit out there I can buy or fab up (pics or links please) to mount newer shocks/springs/coilovers?
I am wanting to go with G-Force adjustable coilover system when it comes out in December.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 275
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
re coil overs
Hi I have put koni fully adjustable coil overs on a couple of years back .
You wont believe the ride improvement and when you go to a track day set the shocks stiffer and adjust rebound ect and it will be like its on rails
... better tyre life and flatter cornering 
You wont believe the ride improvement and when you go to a track day set the shocks stiffer and adjust rebound ect and it will be like its on rails
... better tyre life and flatter cornering
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
As for the cars intentions...... I want it to be an Autox car but it IS my daily driver. Occasional drag strip is nice as well. I dont know about road racing but maybe in the future.
So
1. Autox
2. Cruising
3. Drag
I know you cant have them all but looking at the G-force setup you can adjust them alot to get the ride you want. I just hate being shook to death on the crappy roads we have here in corpus.
This is likely to be my project in the summer of 2011 anyway. Next mod is a 4bolt main forged 395 stroker with AFR 195s. Cant wait til summer
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
If your going to autox it, the 1st thing you need to do is get a rule book.
one simple mod can put you into a class that a street driven can has no chance of winning.
then LEAVE IT STOCK for the 1st year
Some nice adjustable shocks would allow you to race it, and tone it down for the street, that's what I've been doing for the last decade.
The engine mods puts you into SSM we're I'm at with the supercharged engine.
one simple mod can put you into a class that a street driven can has no chance of winning.
then LEAVE IT STOCK for the 1st year
Some nice adjustable shocks would allow you to race it, and tone it down for the street, that's what I've been doing for the last decade.
The engine mods puts you into SSM we're I'm at with the supercharged engine.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
If your going to autox it, the 1st thing you need to do is get a rule book.
one simple mod can put you into a class that a street driven can has no chance of winning.
then LEAVE IT STOCK for the 1st year
Some nice adjustable shocks would allow you to race it, and tone it down for the street, that's what I've been doing for the last decade.
The engine mods puts you into SSM we're I'm at with the supercharged engine.
one simple mod can put you into a class that a street driven can has no chance of winning.
then LEAVE IT STOCK for the 1st year
Some nice adjustable shocks would allow you to race it, and tone it down for the street, that's what I've been doing for the last decade.
The engine mods puts you into SSM we're I'm at with the supercharged engine.
I do it for the fun and testing my car. There is always a better driver and someone who will get their car down to 2000lbs with 600hp hook like crazy out the hole and demolish anytime I get.
This is my toy and I like to play. No pain in losing. Im 18 with a nice vette and enough power to satisfy me for a while. College is paid for so all my money goes to my car and girls so I have no regrets.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
If you have the coin, then coil overs with adjustable shocks like I'm doing.
Rod ends to replace the links out back, far better, no binding.
TIRE, it's all about TIRES, if you can't get it to the ground nothing else matters
Keep you stock rims for the street and get a nice set of wide rims with race tires for racing.
I run 335's on all 4 corners.
Rod ends to replace the links out back, far better, no binding.
TIRE, it's all about TIRES, if you can't get it to the ground nothing else matters
Keep you stock rims for the street and get a nice set of wide rims with race tires for racing.
I run 335's on all 4 corners.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
I have TTMs 17x9 up front and 17x10.5 out back
Street tires are on them now but Im thinking of getting another set with good tires all around
what is a good autox tire?
335 will need spacers with my 85
I was going to run 295 or 305
Money will come as it comes.
Street tires are on them now but Im thinking of getting another set with good tires all around
what is a good autox tire?
335 will need spacers with my 85
I was going to run 295 or 305
Money will come as it comes.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
OK sry let me clarify. I dont expect to win in autox or anything
I do it for the fun and testing my car. There is always a better driver and someone who will get their car down to 2000lbs with 600hp hook like crazy out the hole and demolish anytime I get.
This is my toy and I like to play. No pain in losing. Im 18 with a nice vette and enough power to satisfy me for a while. College is paid for so all my money goes to my car and girls so I have no regrets.
I do it for the fun and testing my car. There is always a better driver and someone who will get their car down to 2000lbs with 600hp hook like crazy out the hole and demolish anytime I get.
This is my toy and I like to play. No pain in losing. Im 18 with a nice vette and enough power to satisfy me for a while. College is paid for so all my money goes to my car and girls so I have no regrets.
Enjoy the car, go to school and let everyone else play weekend Champeen at the local parking lotz.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
But I really dont want to go cheap on something as vital as coilovers. Hell my dad laughed at me when he heard how much my cam and intake were going to cost but I got them because they are good quality.
Plus he really liked the BBK intake and he still doesnt understand why i cant get it if its listed haha
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
I didnt mean "cheap" per se, just something that works reasonably well without going to far overboard $$ wise. We all know that cheap parts/fixes gets us doing/paying for it twice 
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
G-force suspenion for a c5 is 3200 i think which to me isnt bad for EVERYTHING you need and a very nice setup
And im thinking the c4 will be cheaper since it is older tech to put it on
And im thinking the c4 will be cheaper since it is older tech to put it on
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
For now just get a set of used 17x9.5's and mount some 275 Hoosier or Kumhos on them.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
what rims you recommend that wont break the bank?
i have kuhmos on my stock rims
I want to say they are 245 or 255 all the way around and they worked pretty well the only time I did autox
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,857
Likes: 959
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
OK sry let me clarify. I dont expect to win in autox or anything
I do it for the fun and testing my car. There is always a better driver and someone who will get their car down to 2000lbs with 600hp hook like crazy out the hole and demolish anytime I get.
This is my toy and I like to play. No pain in losing. Im 18 with a nice vette and enough power to satisfy me for a while. College is paid for so all my money goes to my car and girls so I have no regrets.
I do it for the fun and testing my car. There is always a better driver and someone who will get their car down to 2000lbs with 600hp hook like crazy out the hole and demolish anytime I get.
This is my toy and I like to play. No pain in losing. Im 18 with a nice vette and enough power to satisfy me for a while. College is paid for so all my money goes to my car and girls so I have no regrets.
My cars don't meet any specific class (My '84 is a turbo 355 with 6spd, and my '69 has a C4 suspension and 5 speed trans). I have fun, because the cars are the way I like them, and whenever I get some static from the event organizers, I just calmly suggest they give my entry fee money back. The thought of giving back money usually convinces the guy to let me run in a "run whatcha brung" class (and points or a cheap trophy doesn't pay for my gas or tires anyway).
Have fun, and keep us updated on what you end up doing.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
Build it the way you like. As you mentioned, you're paying the bills, not the guys who wrote the rule book.
My cars don't meet any specific class (My '84 is a turbo 355 with 6spd, and my '69 has a C4 suspension and 5 speed trans). I have fun, because the cars are the way I like them, and whenever I get some static from the event organizers, I just calmly suggest they give my entry fee money back. The thought of giving back money usually convinces the guy to let me run in a "run whatcha brung" class (and points or a cheap trophy doesn't pay for my gas or tires anyway).
Have fun, and keep us updated on what you end up doing.
My cars don't meet any specific class (My '84 is a turbo 355 with 6spd, and my '69 has a C4 suspension and 5 speed trans). I have fun, because the cars are the way I like them, and whenever I get some static from the event organizers, I just calmly suggest they give my entry fee money back. The thought of giving back money usually convinces the guy to let me run in a "run whatcha brung" class (and points or a cheap trophy doesn't pay for my gas or tires anyway).
Have fun, and keep us updated on what you end up doing.
Shouldnt be about winning
Gets boring if all you want is to win. Have fun if you win its just that lil plus haha.
My first time out I was sliding corners and had a horrible base tune and 1/8 tank of gas causing fuel slosh issues and still wasnt the slowest that day. Old guys were impressed lol
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Thats what it should be about, having fun. Most get too carried away and start thinking they are Mr. Nascar or something out there getting ready for the big big race 
kinda like the spandex geeks on the bicycles . Ok Im done 
kinda like the spandex geeks on the bicycles . Ok Im done
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,847
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
But just getting on a racing compound will really improve your times.
You can get a used set of rims cheap.
autox tires are fairly cheap as well, they sell them as a promotion for their street tires.
a 275 race tire will beat a 315 street tire.
I run what I bring too.
I have enough $5 trophies, I don't need to prove anything.
When I was on the road, I would show up with my all-season tires
So long as your having fun with it.
My club gave up on all the stupid rules
they just have 4 classes
Street tire Corvette
Race tire Corvette
Street tire other car
Race tire other car
The funny part is that the times are very similar.
At this stage you just need to get some SEAT TIME
which is one of the reasons I said to leave it stock for now.