87 front suspension
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Joined: Jun 2016
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87 front suspension
Hey Guys and Gals.....I need some advice. Up here in Canada our roads are something to be desired. I should have bought a 4 wheel drive instead of a corvette. The roads down in the U.S.A. I am sure are not like ours.
Is there something I can do to get a better ride. Would new shocks help.....new spring....coil overs? The older I get the worse my body takes a beating. I have enough trouble getting in and out, a little ride upgrade would sure help. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum so hopefully someone can advise me. My car is a 87 with the Z51 package which does not help. This is my 1st. corvette so I am a newbie to vettes but not to cars. I am a hot rodder at heart. Hot rods I can work with but corvettes are another thing...LOL
hope someone can advise me
Ol Vette...
Is there something I can do to get a better ride. Would new shocks help.....new spring....coil overs? The older I get the worse my body takes a beating. I have enough trouble getting in and out, a little ride upgrade would sure help. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum so hopefully someone can advise me. My car is a 87 with the Z51 package which does not help. This is my 1st. corvette so I am a newbie to vettes but not to cars. I am a hot rodder at heart. Hot rods I can work with but corvettes are another thing...LOL
hope someone can advise me
Ol Vette...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: near the thumb in the mitten
Shocks won't soften stiff springs, you could try lowering air pressure a couple PSI at a time to soften ride for rough roads. I would not go below 26 PSI cold. You would need to raise pressure back up for highway driving.
Last edited by Kevova; Jul 8, 2016 at 04:47 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
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The Z51 springs are stiffer than the base springs so a swap may be something to consider. Look here for the difference in spring rates. The rear spring is pretty easy to swap, the front spring will take more work and you would be best off with a hoist to get the car in the air.
The Z52 suspension option used the base springs and slightly stiffer Bilstein shocks. The base FE1 suspension used a Delco shock with the base springs.
How old are the shocks? It could be that the shocks on the are are old and worn out. Have you thought about a replacement set of Bilstein Z51-specific shocks? New shocks that are matched to the springs may make the car more comfortable; the ride will be firm, but probably better than what you are experiencing now. Also check the condition of the spring bushings and replace them with an OEM part. Same with the sway bar bushings; if they look dry and have cracks, it's time to install new OEM rubber bushings. Look at the control arm bushings too.
A coil over setup could work but the upper shock towers on the '87 are narrower than the later cars so you would need to fabricate wider front mounts.
The Z52 suspension option used the base springs and slightly stiffer Bilstein shocks. The base FE1 suspension used a Delco shock with the base springs.
How old are the shocks? It could be that the shocks on the are are old and worn out. Have you thought about a replacement set of Bilstein Z51-specific shocks? New shocks that are matched to the springs may make the car more comfortable; the ride will be firm, but probably better than what you are experiencing now. Also check the condition of the spring bushings and replace them with an OEM part. Same with the sway bar bushings; if they look dry and have cracks, it's time to install new OEM rubber bushings. Look at the control arm bushings too.
A coil over setup could work but the upper shock towers on the '87 are narrower than the later cars so you would need to fabricate wider front mounts.
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Thanks for the advice
I knew someone would know how to fix my problem. I am sure everything is original..1987 ....I took this car on for a project and the money pit never seems to fill up..I will check all my front end bushings and shocks..
Thx..guys........Ol vette
Thx..guys........Ol vette
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,978
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From: San Antonio Texas
On my '86 Z51 car, shocks helped a good bit. I got them from Mid America Corvette, who advertised them as being able to soften up the ride, and they did. They turned out to be Gabriel Gas units, but I've noticed they don't offer them anymore.The biggest improvement was when I bought my Continental tires. The ride was much softer and much quieter. I run the DW tires at 30 PSI. Tires make up much of the ride a car has.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
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From: Adelaide South Australia
shocks are probably the most straightforward way to change the ride,
most people dont want to spend any money tho, everyone buys shocks that are less than $90 each and non adjustable. If you want a better ride buy at least single adjustable shocks for $150, set them where you like the feel and you will really notice the difference.
you can get a good ride with z51 springs with decent adjustable shocks.
If you dont want to spend any money on half decent shocks, then just keep complaining about the rough ride !
most people dont want to spend any money tho, everyone buys shocks that are less than $90 each and non adjustable. If you want a better ride buy at least single adjustable shocks for $150, set them where you like the feel and you will really notice the difference.
you can get a good ride with z51 springs with decent adjustable shocks.
If you dont want to spend any money on half decent shocks, then just keep complaining about the rough ride !
Team Owner
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From: Athens AL
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If you really want to soften the ride, you are better off changing the rear spring to the base spring and leaving the front spring alone. Rear affects you more.
Shocks are done at 75K or so in my opinion, so those likely need changing again. If ride smoothness is the driver here, I'd look at KYBs over Bilsteins.
The rubber bushings being worn out and disintegrating also plays a part, so those may need replacing.
Shocks are done at 75K or so in my opinion, so those likely need changing again. If ride smoothness is the driver here, I'd look at KYBs over Bilsteins.
The rubber bushings being worn out and disintegrating also plays a part, so those may need replacing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
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From: Michigan
Michigan roads(city worse) and a stiff suspension are pretty bad! I cringe a lot driving my vettes, the worst is a surprise impact and I always feel like something had to of broke. Roads are so bad n you try to avoid a lot of it but sometimes the car in front of you hides it or you swerve only hit a worse spot. I've bent rims on all my vehicles, even my fullsize truck feels rough! More sidewall cushions the blows so idk what size rims you have but I think 87 is before the larger brakes and would fit 15" wheels?
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Good shock advice
Thx. Guys for all your input. Yes I do think the shocks should be replaced as the previous owner changed them at one time as they are black and NOT bilsteins.
The adjustable shocks sound the way to go. KYB make a decent shock don't they? I put new KYB shocks on the back because I upgraded to a adjustable camber rod. Very happy with them. I changed the bushings on my parallel locating bars..upper and lower both sides. I changed the shocks because I had them off anyway.
I have C5 rims on my 87, 17 inch on front and 18 inch on back.
Up here in Canada our corvette parts are hard to get, and with the shipping and exchange rate...it doubles the price....
Thx....Ol vette
The adjustable shocks sound the way to go. KYB make a decent shock don't they? I put new KYB shocks on the back because I upgraded to a adjustable camber rod. Very happy with them. I changed the bushings on my parallel locating bars..upper and lower both sides. I changed the shocks because I had them off anyway.
I have C5 rims on my 87, 17 inch on front and 18 inch on back.
Up here in Canada our corvette parts are hard to get, and with the shipping and exchange rate...it doubles the price....
Thx....Ol vette