Noticed the RideTech coilover system that seems to be a very complete package but im wondering what else is out there for the later C4s

Car in question is a 1995 FE1 Coupe

Car is a fun car that would occasionally see AutoX and Track time.

I dont mind a rough ride, i dont mind noise if it returns performance.

For reference, Ive street driven Mustangs and Porsches with “race suspension” using rod ends and derlin bushings with no complaint.

 

Doug Rippie Motorsports, Vansteel, Exotic Muscle all offer suspension components and kits.

 

Or you can roll the dice with a bc racing coilover kit. Much cheaper... Probably getting what you pay for there.

 

The Ridetech Kit is very nice. I see things the other kits do not include or thought of. It would be my choice.

 

I can't say enough good things about my Ridetech coilover setup. The kit is very complete and they have great customer service.

 

I have a friend with the BC Coilovers on his C5 and they perform well for the price. I would expect their C4 units to be similar.

 

I don't see a coilover option on DRM's website. Maybe they had it and discontinued it? Not sure. I agree that Ridetech's kit is easily the best out there right now. Of the other options out there, the Vansteel kit is the only one I know of that properly relocates the rear shock mount to keep the coil a safe distance from the halfshaft and other suspension components, and their lower bracket claims to reinforce the stock mounting ear of the C4 rear knuckle. I would prefer the bracket and shocks that Ridetech offers. Although their kit is about $1k more than the single-adjustable kit from Vansteel, it also includes new sway bars and some delrin bushings. Maybe they'd sell the coilovers alone for less?

 

We need a epic thread on this. I have decided to do some brake upgrades next. Following that will be suspension.

So, does a man really need to go full coil over. As I have mentioned before I don't plan on serious competition with my car, just club events and personal enjoyment.
I was thinking better shocks and bushings as the car does pretty well as it sits. Money is not a huge issue, but it is a consideration.

 

No. Unless you need to change your ride height on the fly/often, and or need to change spring rates on the fly/often, then there isn't a benefit to coil overs. Most people buy coil overs, don't know why they're buying them. The benefit the observe is b/c of the higher quality shock...not b/c of where the spring is located.


Better shocks and bushings will make the car drive and handle fantastic on the street.

 

Do you have a recommended kit?

No I do not need to pay for the ability to adjust my springs like that manner. I am not going to compete in serious competition with the car. Just for S&Gs with the club or other local events. When I do these, I want to be good enough to not be in the way, but I am not worried about winning or not. Just go have fun, check out cars, and compare notes.

 

I hear you. That's what I want out of track days, auto x etc, too.

Matthew Miller should recommend a shock. I have Koni's. I think they're "good", but I know there is much better. I think the ridetech SHOCK might be a good upgrade. (?)

 

These days, I think the biggest reason for going with coilovers is if you want a much stiffer spring rate than stock. Since VBP went out of business, the supply of stiff and adjustable aftermarket leaf springs disappeared. So now, coils are the only realistic option. Other than that or the reasons Tom mentioned, I don't see a major reason to go with coilovers.

I do think the Ridetch shocks (coilover or not) are a very good looking option for a C4. The Koni yellows are terrible by any means, but they are twin tube (old anot especially performance-oriented architecture) and the rear shocks half to be removed to adjust them (which is a giant PITA). The Ridetechs are Fox monotube designs with easy-to-access rebound adjustment (the proper way to do single-adjustables). They will also custom-valve them if needed, but a stock-sprung car you wouldn't need that. Several folks here have installed them and had good things to say about them. My car did have stiff VBP springs and ran on sticky tires, so I was probably going to get them to custom-valve a set for me (but then I sold the car) to be a little stiffer in its range. So anyway, Ridetech is my go-to recommendation for those who really want a good performing shock on a C4.

 

This line of discussion is pertinent to me. My car has z51 springs, some sort of aftermarket big *** red sway bars, poly bushings, and koni yellows of unknown age. It rides OK, very stiff, but not bad. It's little sections of rough pavement that are worst on it, bigger bumps (like railroad tracks) it can soak up ok. The shocks are the only thing I haven't replaced, and it does feel like it is a logical place to upgrade.

So Matt, what are your thoughts on ridetech vs something like a Qa1? I don't really need adjustability, I have mag ride in my c6 and prefer a single setup that is balanced, though If adjusting the shocks to get there is needed, so be it.

 

Tom, I had the Ridetech shocks, Banski rear bars, polyurethane on my sway bars all with my stock Z51 fiberglass leaf springs. I was never fully satisfied with my ride or handling even after everything I did.
Having said that the Ridetech adjustable shocks made the biggest improvement with the stock leaf springs. But the car was still lacking (I could get decent handling with the shocks set to a very firm setting but the car was skittish and had a ride that crashed over every bump).
When I switched over to the complete Ridetech coilover setup it was a night and day difference. And I realize for the money it should be! But this setup really delivered, the cars ride is so much more compliant and handles flatter then ever before, I am running a shock setting that is closer to the softer side of the shocks range. My car feels much less skittish when cornering over bumps, and the car is also really planted at speed especially the rear end.
I remember reading that GM went with the fiberglass leaf spring because of weight, cost and the added sway bar effect.
I know sway bars take away some of the independence from side to side on an independent suspension. Adding a fiberglass leaf spring adds some more sway bar effect causing even less independence.
My thought is that the CoilOvers give back a bit more independence to the suspension versus the leaf springs.

 

It's funny, because my C4 rode really nicely on its Koni yellows when they were set on the soft side. Go figure. I have not used QA1 shocks, but I get a little skeptical of shocks from a company that does a lot of drag racing dampers, because drag race damping setups are really different from those meant for turning corners. Maybe they are good shocks. However, they are actually slightly more expensive than Ridetech HQs when comparing single-adjustables. That would make me less willing to take a chance on them.

 

Honestly, I don't even know I have koni yellows, I was told they are but see no adjustments and no markings. They might just be yellow shocks, lol. They still feel stiff, but who knows how old they are.

 

There should be a flat blade sticking out the top of the shock rod. In front you'd see it easily at the top/end of the threaded rod above the shock tower.

 

I checked mine, they're yellow, they say koni, but no flat blade sticking out of the top. Just a bolt end. There might be a slit in that stud you could get something hella thin in to turn... But I dunno. I'm starting to think they're either not real or something.

 

I'll go take a pic of mine....

 

Here is what mine look like. The rear is the same, but of course you can't see them w/o removing the top from the frame.