84 corvette
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,010
Likes: 1
From: Sweden/Stockholm
84 corvette
I heard the 84 C4 is really what GM intended with the C4 when it come to handeling.
The 84 has the stiffest chasie and supenstion. And that GM changed this due to complains from users that thought is was TO stiff ride..
is that true?
reagrds
The 84 has the stiffest chasie and supenstion. And that GM changed this due to complains from users that thought is was TO stiff ride..
is that true?
reagrds
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 303
From: Timra, Sweden
Re: 84 corvette (devilfish)
The 84 has much stiffer springs, and as I heard GM softend them because of complaints.
Z51 front went from 591 to 380.
Z51 rear went from 500 to 330.
On the base the big differance was rear that went from 445 to 228.
Z51 front went from 591 to 380.
Z51 rear went from 500 to 330.
On the base the big differance was rear that went from 445 to 228.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: 84 corvette (devilfish)
I am one of a number of people who beleive that stiff is not always the best.
Sure, the 1984 Z51 will stick around a skidpad... thats fine... neato, even... but try that on the average public road... and your kidney's will bleed.
the thinking is simple: a car will handle better when all 4 tires are making contact with the road surface.
if you have a super stiff suspension, the car will skitter when hitting a bump... what good is that???
handling is more than just a skidpad number...
Sure, the 1984 Z51 will stick around a skidpad... thats fine... neato, even... but try that on the average public road... and your kidney's will bleed.
the thinking is simple: a car will handle better when all 4 tires are making contact with the road surface.
if you have a super stiff suspension, the car will skitter when hitting a bump... what good is that???
handling is more than just a skidpad number...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 0
From: Union City CA
Re: 84 corvette (bogus)
My 84 is not that stiff, only the front is stiff not really the back though. But I'll tell you this the 84 has way more grip then my TransAm. :yesnod: :yesnod:
[Modified by Light84vette, 10:21 PM 11/28/2002]
[Modified by Light84vette, 10:21 PM 11/28/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 1
From: Lake Ozark MO
Re: 84 corvette (devilfish)
I had an '84 Z51. I'm sure the suspension would be fine for a track but for running the back roads in my neck of the woods it was terrible. Any road imperfections during cornering (patches, slight ripples, anything) would upset the chassis and send her skittering. The car was also not too good if you got it light. The non-compliant suspension and ultra quick steering made it a bit hard to handle when you reloaded suspension.
If you could find new blacktop (which I was always in search of) the car would stick like glue. But you had better know every little bump in the road because your margin of recovery was much smaller than a car with a more (even slightly) compliant suspension.
Bottom line: Great for the track, bad for real roads.
If you could find new blacktop (which I was always in search of) the car would stick like glue. But you had better know every little bump in the road because your margin of recovery was much smaller than a car with a more (even slightly) compliant suspension.
Bottom line: Great for the track, bad for real roads.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Farmington Hills MI
Re: 84 corvette (devilfish)
I replaced the Belstiens with Konis and went with the standard front sway bar on my 84 Z51.
That tamed the initial harsh jounce the Belstiens produced. The car is very streetable and still has plenty of road holding for auto crossing and back road spirited driving.
This is the set up I've run since 86 and found a good compromise. The quick steering requires your full attention, but that's why I own it in the first place - I like the responsiveness.
:yesnod: :yesnod: :chevy :chevy
[Modified by torqueman2002, 5:08 AM 11/29/2002]
That tamed the initial harsh jounce the Belstiens produced. The car is very streetable and still has plenty of road holding for auto crossing and back road spirited driving.
This is the set up I've run since 86 and found a good compromise. The quick steering requires your full attention, but that's why I own it in the first place - I like the responsiveness.
:yesnod: :yesnod: :chevy :chevy
[Modified by torqueman2002, 5:08 AM 11/29/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Re: 84 corvette (Dan Parker '96)
Dan is right! I have ridden in a few 84s..some Z51s, some standard (which is not that much difference)...they are too harsh for most people......remember, not everyone is autocrossing all the time, and really except for autocrossing and ghymkana, the 84s are too harsh. They also don't hook up that well from the stoplight because they do not have the best weight transfer.
I know that most forum members are gung-ho about the sportier suspensions. I still love the standard suspension....plenty firm, very compliant for midwestern roads and still eons better than out Trans Am
I know that most forum members are gung-ho about the sportier suspensions. I still love the standard suspension....plenty firm, very compliant for midwestern roads and still eons better than out Trans Am
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Re: 84 corvette (devilfish)
Pretty much what everyone has pointed out. You can replace the front monospring with one from VBP and soften things up a bit without really compromising handling. I did this, and it is somewhat softer, although the freeway expansion joints still make my joints expand. In any event, the car is not forgiving if you make a mistake, or if you encounter rutted roads (most of Texas). But get it on a flat surface, and you can damn near drive it up a wall.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,631
Likes: 0
From: Union City CA
Re: 84 corvette (Alex D)
Yeah your right Alex the weight transfer doesnot really happen in the Corvette like it does in the TransAM. But you gotta admit you have a TransAm to, that thing pulls like hell, way much more than my corvette can do. I mean when you get in slower cars its like you push the gas and that thing goes nowhere, when I got the Vette it was like dam thats fast, but when we got the TransAM, wow thats pretty fast.