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

 

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..

 

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.

 

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

 

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..

 

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..

 

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.

 

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

 

Why not just spend a couple of bucks and replace your sagging leaf spring? 99.9999% of C4s run these things

 

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.