C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

84 coilover

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 28, 2015 | 03:28 PM
  #1  
Chevrolet12's Avatar
Chevrolet12
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Default 84 coilover

I need some advice on coilovers for my 84.. I'm wanting to do the conversion but I have never done it before and I really don't want to spend 1500 or more on the kit.. I've read about people only spending around 500 for everything to do it peicing it together. Basically what I need to know is what do I need to look for? What shocks what Springs what kind of brackets do I need? I have a welder and I can drill holes or whatever I need to as long as I can get the correct parts to make it work.. My transverse leaf Springs are sagging a bit and making some noise so I'd prefer to go coilovers instead of replacing them. Thanks
Reply
Old May 28, 2015 | 06:05 PM
  #2  
gerardvg's Avatar
gerardvg
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Default

Originally Posted by Chevrolet12
I need some advice on coilovers for my 84.. I'm wanting to do the conversion but I have never done it before and I really don't want to spend 1500 or more on the kit.. I've read about people only spending around 500 for everything to do it peicing it together. Basically what I need to know is what do I need to look for? What shocks what Springs what kind of brackets do I need? I have a welder and I can drill holes or whatever I need to as long as I can get the correct parts to make it work.. My transverse leaf Springs are sagging a bit and making some noise so I'd prefer to go coilovers instead of replacing them. Thanks
Hi

You have no option but going to QA1 coilovers, they are narrower you do not have to spread the shock towers much.

You are looking at around 1,700 for the kit, you need to use a large shifter to bend the shock towers outward to clear the shock spring.

You may be able to get just the front if money is a concern, see the links below. You need the adaptors, is cheaper to get a kit made for your car and have the correct springs.

https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?f...p=1972&ID=3250

https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?f...p=1972&ID=3079

https://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?f...&subgroup=1972
Reply
Old May 28, 2015 | 07:59 PM
  #3  
Chevrolet12's Avatar
Chevrolet12
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Default

I was doing a Google search and found this
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php#/forumsite/20714/topics/137881

I think it's the 10th post on there he lists all the parts he used to do the conversion.. Basically what I was looking for but I was really wondering what shocks I'd look for what Springs etc.. Like if I were to get a different brand what specs would I need to get to make sure they would be correct..
Reply
Old May 28, 2015 | 11:27 PM
  #4  
gerardvg's Avatar
gerardvg
Safety Car
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Default

Originally Posted by Chevrolet12
I was doing a Google search and found this
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru.../topics/137881

I think it's the 10th post on there he lists all the parts he used to do the conversion.. Basically what I was looking for but I was really wondering what shocks I'd look for what Springs etc.. Like if I were to get a different brand what specs would I need to get to make sure they would be correct..
Trust me.
You cannot do it cheaper the $799 dollar QA1 front coilovers kit is a piece of cake just fit and it will be right for the car, they have done all the testing allready.
QA1 have narrower springs which makes fitment so easy.

I actually have Koni coilovers, they were fitted way over 10 years ago when kits to suit C4 corvettes were not available.

One actually snapped the shaft a couple of years ago, now you can imagine finding ex race car koni coilover shock absorber was not easy.
QA1 coilovers are readilly available.

Coilover springs are $90 each they come in ratings like 10 '' 400lb or 8'' 350 lb etc, by the time you mix and match to find the right springs and coilover shock absorbers for your liking you will have spent way more that the $799...

Do it the easy way, do not waste time trying to put together as set.

I think my front springs are 450 or 500lb rated, they are very very stiff i would not recommend them for highway use unless you like to feel your bones rattle.


A friend of mine got some street QA1 coilovers fitted a couple of years ago and the ride is very nice.
Reply
Old May 28, 2015 | 11:28 PM
  #5  
qws's Avatar
qws
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
Default

Originally Posted by gerardvg
Hi

You have no option but going to QA1 coilovers, they are narrower you do not have to spread the shock towers much.

[/url]
This statement is absolutely UN-true.

Bilstein Shocks with 1-7/8 I.D springs,
You can make your own for around $550 a pair if you don't have the shocks

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-lowering.html

Agent86 has a very good write up on the parts

You could even buy the bilstein coilovers from EM for $600 a pair.
That's even cheaper than $799---- trust me

http://emracingcorp.com/scripts/prod...?idCategory=28

Last edited by qws; May 28, 2015 at 11:39 PM.
Reply
Old May 29, 2015 | 12:10 PM
  #6  
Chevrolet12's Avatar
Chevrolet12
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Default

Qws, that's what I am looking for I think..i can find some coilover shocks fairly decent price about 60 each and about the same for the springs I am really looking for the specs on each I need to look for when shopping around.. I think I can fab up some brackets or braces if I need to but I'd need to figure out what all I need to do to make it hold up.. I really just need to get rid of the leafs they are sagging and making noise and I don't like it. So it's either coilover or air bags and I think coilover is the way to go but I am trying to do cheaply as possible..
Reply
Old May 29, 2015 | 01:38 PM
  #7  
Chevrolet12's Avatar
Chevrolet12
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Default

I don't mind the rough driving it's not by any means a daily driver.. And I can get a set of Springs for 80 for a pair and same for the coilover shocks. Just need the specs for Springs front and rear and specs for the shocks front and rear. Travel spring rate etc..
Reply
Old May 29, 2015 | 03:44 PM
  #8  
qws's Avatar
qws
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
Default

What your trying to do is doable by all means. Agent86 has a write an and is really to best person to get in touch with. He has all the specs that your looking for.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 29, 2015 | 05:55 PM
  #9  
Chevrolet12's Avatar
Chevrolet12
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Default

How would I get ahold of him? Seems like you know exactly what I'm trying to do..
Reply
Old May 30, 2015 | 12:00 AM
  #10  
qws's Avatar
qws
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
Default

Originally Posted by Chevrolet12
How would I get ahold of him? Seems like you know exactly what I'm trying to do..
Send him a pm, he knows the specs a lot better than I do.
Read this thread

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...onversion.html
Reply
Old May 30, 2015 | 10:09 AM
  #11  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

Why not just spend a couple of bucks and replace your sagging leaf spring? 99.9999% of C4s run these things
Reply
Old May 30, 2015 | 10:17 AM
  #12  
Chevrolet12's Avatar
Chevrolet12
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
Default

Well because they are about $350 for one and I could spend about the same amount for a better suspension setup and have better handling.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 84 coilover





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:12 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE