Suspension question
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Edmond OK
Suspension question
I put new Bilsteins on my 94 after i bought it with shocks that were worn out. Assuming the new Bilsteins would take out the "boat effect" at high speeds 70+ i was a bit dissappointed. What do i need to do to make the suspension a bit stiffer do i need to put a suspension kit on it or can i do something cheaper?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
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what are the cond. of your ball joints, tie rods rear center link and bushings? replacing the all the susp. bushings with urethane ones is a good cheap upgrade and reduces body roll quite a bit. If your ball joints + tie rods are in disrepair I would start there though, no sense in upgrading if the basics are no good. While your in there replace the end links.
Le Mans Master
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
Explain "boat effect"?
If that means the front end feels light like its comming up - check your front air dam and make sure ALL the pieces are there and in good shape.
Mine would start to lift at 80+ on the straight on a road course cause one piece of the air dam was damaged.
If that means the front end feels light like its comming up - check your front air dam and make sure ALL the pieces are there and in good shape.
Mine would start to lift at 80+ on the straight on a road course cause one piece of the air dam was damaged.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Edmond OK
Explain "boat effect"?
If that means the front end feels light like its comming up - check your front air dam and make sure ALL the pieces are there and in good shape.
Mine would start to lift at 80+ on the straight on a road course cause one piece of the air dam was damaged.
If that means the front end feels light like its comming up - check your front air dam and make sure ALL the pieces are there and in good shape.
Mine would start to lift at 80+ on the straight on a road course cause one piece of the air dam was damaged.
Ip ut a set of SU-814 and SU-815 Bilsteins on the car a month ago and it has 33k miles on it. Being a 94 model it has really low mileage buti replaced the old Bilsteins as they were the original shocks that came on it. I think maybe i expected a little tighter suspension on the car as i have never owned a vette before but the air dam and most everything on the car are in pretty perfect shape. The front of the car just feels like it floats some on an aggressive start or driving on the interstate as around 70-130. Maybe it is just me and its an older car and is supposed to be that way?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
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From: Australia
wanted a luxury performance car ; not a performance car , so GM soften up the suspension to accommodate them
Fitting the springs / swaybars from a earlier (>'88 car) will regain some control ( stiffer ) but with a obvious loss
of ride comfort if you are looking for Caddy quality at the same time
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
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From: Indiana PA
Ip ut a set of SU-814 and SU-815 Bilsteins on the car a month ago and it has 33k miles on it. Being a 94 model it has really low mileage buti replaced the old Bilsteins as they were the original shocks that came on it. I think maybe i expected a little tighter suspension on the car as i have never owned a vette before but the air dam and most everything on the car are in pretty perfect shape. The front of the car just feels like it floats some on an aggressive start or driving on the interstate as around 70-130. Maybe it is just me and its an older car and is supposed to be that way?
The 94's have some soft springs and with base suspension soft shocks. My buddies 94 feels way softer than my 93 FX3 does even in touring mode.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Edmond OK
The later C4's like yours are way softer than the earlier cars because the golf club on Sunday set first owners
wanted a luxury performance car ; not a performance car , so GM soften up the suspension to accommodate them
Fitting the springs / swaybars from a earlier (>'88 car) will regain some control ( stiffer ) but with a obvious loss
of ride comfort if you are looking for Caddy quality at the same time
wanted a luxury performance car ; not a performance car , so GM soften up the suspension to accommodate them
Fitting the springs / swaybars from a earlier (>'88 car) will regain some control ( stiffer ) but with a obvious loss
of ride comfort if you are looking for Caddy quality at the same time
Would coilovers be a good option and if so can anyone recommend a good brand?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 4
From: I celebrate their entire catalog
Check the diameter of your front sway bar. Sometime in the last few years of the C4 production run, they started putting 24mm front bars on the base/FE1 models and you get the poor high speed feel you are describing.
You can go up to 26mm, 28 or 32 using factory bars from different models (junk yard). There are companies that sell them as well.
I picked up a used 26mm bar and bought some poly sway bar bushings and it made a huge difference.
You can go up to 26mm, 28 or 32 using factory bars from different models (junk yard). There are companies that sell them as well.
I picked up a used 26mm bar and bought some poly sway bar bushings and it made a huge difference.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
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From: Cherokee National Forest TN
I would keep the soft springs.
The front running short track pavement oval cars use soft springs, good shocks & large sway bars.
Suggest checking the front wheel alignment to insure there is enough caster. Light caster settings will give a loose front end feel at speed. On vehicles that have tires with a large foot print like our Vettes the loose feed back feel is multiplied. Large foot print tires are also prone to rutting caused by uneven road surfaces created by large trucks. Moving left to the hammer lane will eliminate this type of road feel. I suspect GM addressed the rutting problem in the later C4's by reducing front rim width by one inch to 8.5.
With correct caster settings the vehicle should feel planted at speed provided camber & toe settings are in spec.
Tire brand and age also enter into the equation.
GL
The front running short track pavement oval cars use soft springs, good shocks & large sway bars.
Suggest checking the front wheel alignment to insure there is enough caster. Light caster settings will give a loose front end feel at speed. On vehicles that have tires with a large foot print like our Vettes the loose feed back feel is multiplied. Large foot print tires are also prone to rutting caused by uneven road surfaces created by large trucks. Moving left to the hammer lane will eliminate this type of road feel. I suspect GM addressed the rutting problem in the later C4's by reducing front rim width by one inch to 8.5.
With correct caster settings the vehicle should feel planted at speed provided camber & toe settings are in spec.
Tire brand and age also enter into the equation.
GL
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 57
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From: Edmond OK
I would keep the soft springs.
The front running short track pavement oval cars use soft springs, good shocks & large sway bars.
Suggest checking the front wheel alignment to insure there is enough caster. Light caster settings will give a loose front end feel at speed. On vehicles that have tires with a large foot print like our Vettes the loose feed back feel is multiplied. Large foot print tires are also prone to rutting caused by uneven road surfaces created by large trucks. Moving left to the hammer lane will eliminate this type of road feel. I suspect GM addressed the rutting problem in the later C4's by reducing front rim width by one inch to 8.5.
With correct caster settings the vehicle should feel planted at speed provided camber & toe settings are in spec.
Tire brand and age also enter into the equation.
GL
The front running short track pavement oval cars use soft springs, good shocks & large sway bars.
Suggest checking the front wheel alignment to insure there is enough caster. Light caster settings will give a loose front end feel at speed. On vehicles that have tires with a large foot print like our Vettes the loose feed back feel is multiplied. Large foot print tires are also prone to rutting caused by uneven road surfaces created by large trucks. Moving left to the hammer lane will eliminate this type of road feel. I suspect GM addressed the rutting problem in the later C4's by reducing front rim width by one inch to 8.5.
With correct caster settings the vehicle should feel planted at speed provided camber & toe settings are in spec.
Tire brand and age also enter into the equation.
GL
I just put a new set of NITTO NT555's on it all the way around but it was doing it before the new shoes. After measuring the front sway bar it is indeed a 24mm so i ordered a 29mm from addco with new poly bushings. I bet that fixes it ! Thanks you guys for all your input!!!!
