I have installed a C4 front suspension including the cross member cradle in my 1941 Buick. I also installed a lowering wedge under the composition spring. My question is this, does this affect the ride quality?

Thanks,

Dale in Indy

 

There is absolutely no way to respond to your question when the spring/suspension is used in other than an OE application. There are two different front C4 suspensions and a possible maybe 7 or more front spring combinations. Does a lowering modification to a C4 typically alter ride quality? Depends on which spring and the extent of the modification.

What year suspension? What is the letter code "tattooed' into the spring? The spring rate lowered or NOT would determine ride quality. Everything else about you particular build does also.

 

Generally, on a stock C4 Vette with base FE1 suspension, Lowering will provide a little Firmer (Better) ride but, not uncomfortable at all!...

 

Thank You for the info. I have some info that the suspension came from a 1984 HD optioned suspension, but I don't know for sure. I will be pulling the spring soon, and will post the number/numbers found on such.

Dale in Indy

 

If you're already familiar with your Buicks ride quality with the C4 suspension, lowering will result in a little more firmer ride...

Also, the 84 C4 Vette had one of the best handling but, stiffest spring rate.







.

 

Here is the rolling chassis I built for my 1941 Buick. Wheel base is 142"

Car weighs 4100 lbs. Front weighs 1950 lbs. I installed a LOWERING wedge years ago, and am now attempting to soften the ride.

I'm NOT an engineer, but not a dummy either, I do all my own work, and enjoy such.


The car rides very harsh, cracks in pavement, small chuck holes JAR the front. I am wondering if the extra weight on the front has the composition spring compressed to the STIFF part of such. The shocks are very firm, as a test I just removed the front shocks, and it improved the ride a ton, and with very little FLOATING/POGO movement. I wonder if the spring being at the STIFF portion of its movement explains why it isn't FLOATING with no shocks.

At a show a Vette person said the WEDGE could be affecting the ride too. I have/am considering converting to COIL-OVER units, but now that I have improved the ride WITHOUT shocks, maybe I should install good quality ADJUSTABLE shocks and see it such doesn't improve the ride quality. For your info, it is NOT bottoming out.

I'm sorry picture is so large, I did reduce to small, but this is what I got.

I am going to pull the composition spring and try to determine what spring rate I have, and will post such.

Any and all comments are welcome, I can not be offended.

Dale in Indy

 

My Lowered 91 Vette, has the base (softest) FE1 suspension and the ride quality is very comfortable and not harsh at all!...

Try, the softer FE1 springs...

 

What does the front weigh of a 1984 Corvette?

Dale Indy

 

the early Z-51s had a ride that was a bit sharp to say the least, but also had one other quality that some forget they were so low that their was a replacement spring if the owners griped about the low air dam scraping tooth jarring ride. so maybe you could look for one of the softer springs and other years should fit, but then again this is a Outside the box project a very nice one though, like how it all came together

 

You're handicapped somewhat by the "early" suspension. You need to shop for '84 - '87 front components when you shop. Anything '88 or newer will NOT fit. Not knowing exactly how your front is assembled and how strong your front upper shock mounts are the best decision I'd think for you would be convert to a coil-over for the front. Then springs are available for any weight you should happen to find you need. Easiest and likely in your case maybe the least expensive. There are multiple brands and choices for you. You're only concern might be the compressed and extended limitations of your fabricated upper mount might create. There's no easier way to control ride quality and stance, particularly with your build.

Advertised base weights for an '84 were 1630 front w/A4 transmission and 1605 with the MT. 3192 and 3164 respectively for a total weight. Options either added to that weight or subtracted from that weight.

 

I'm a good metal man, so I totally understand the coil-over units will put the total load on the coil/shock tower/bracket, and also would make a much heavier lower A-arm plate to hold the T-bar mount of the shocks.

I'm going to remove the SWAY bar and go for a ride, this car is huge, so need to know how it handles without the bar, and if it does indeed affect ride quality.

Jumping up and down on the front bumper now with the shocks off does feel like the spring ISN'T to stiff, putting the top stud of the shocks up against my work bench, and with my hip compressing with a firm and quick movement, well the shock is super stiff.

I may try some adjustable shocks, and back off the compression level to its lowest point, and see how it handles.

Bride doesn't like to ride in it with such a jarring ride, and I can understand. My welds for the install must be good, cause it has given such some very harsh poundings.

I really THANK YOU all for the input. It looks like I am dumping approx. 300 lbs more on the front suspension compared to the Vette it was originally manufactured for.

Dale in Indy

 

Here is my 41 Buick Limited. It does NOW have bumpers.

It is the biggest Buick made. Factory Wheel Base was 139, I had to push WB back 3 inches to get the rear control arms behind, and in the frame kick up.

You can see it runs 17" Vette rims, but NOT low-pro tires. Fronts are 28+" tall, and I carry 32 lbs. air pressure, could back off to around 28 and see what that feels like.

Dale in Indy

 

I knew that they changed a bit, but I thought it was a couple of more years down the road if memory serves me they got wider? but then again I remember really needing to do much with springs after 88

 

Here is the 96 LT-1 Vette crate engine, it is hooked to a Coan 700R tranny.

Trying to ID the suspension, I purchased the front clip of a Vette that had broad sided a tree, cut the car in half behind the driver. I got the complete clip without the engine or tranny.

The master cylinder came from the car, and maybe the numbers from it might ID the front suspension.

Says,,,,MADE IN AUSTRALIA, made by BCIA.

Numbers on it are,,,,,,,B258-038, and 10097670 BD.

Dale in Indy

 

The Buick looks awesome!! Great job!!

Craig

 

Thanks Craig, I'm soon to be 78, been a car guy since I was 13.

I and my Bride of 54 years are a tad arty. I make all sorts of automotive arty things, and home furnishing.

The last couple years I have been hooked on make big models from scratch. One of a kind pieces, no plans, no kit, all from a picture/drawing.

Here are my latest, all approx. 25" - 30" long.

Dale in Indy

 

that is true art Especially the Picasso Open wheeled roadster with odd shaped wheels, and car carrier

 

The wheels are the (4) basic shapes. Note stainless steel welding rods bent to represent the wind turbulence flowing over each different shape.

I cloned that car after a 1930's Rexner Tether/rail car. It's front wheel drive with model airplane engine. Getting the hood to fit was one of the hardest jobs, I thank the good LORD everyday for good hands.

Dale in Indy

 

Love your project.

If you are looking for better ride quality, not to lower it try the base or Non-Z51 shocks. If that doesnt make you happy, May I suggest the QA1 dual adjuster shocks (not coilovers).

If you would like coilovers, contact Paul at Van Steel, provide all your car detail specs, and he will give you few choices on spring rates, and a initial dial up for the QA1 shocks.

 

Thank You for the info.....

I have been in touch with QA1, talked with them recently at the Louisville, Ky show. They recommended shock number 511.

Do you know can the adjustable shock be dialed very SOFT on compression?

Dale in Indy