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

"performance" shocks, really??

Old Aug 30, 2022 | 01:38 AM
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Have you hit a bump IN A CURVE with a decent amount of speed yet? I'd be concerned the sideways "hop" gets worse with softer shocks. I'm not necessarily talking that spirited either. In KC's "downtown" loop there was always a split where I'd get ready for the [bad] bump(s). Cause they were in a 55mph turn-off.
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Old Aug 30, 2022 | 05:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Kilobuck84
What exhaust system did you go with? I may be doing mine too and am not a particular fan of loud.
The invoice does not specify y-pipe manufacturer or part number, likewise for the mufflers. The y-pipe runs from the catalytic converter to the mufflers which are unique for the '84. I turned that project over to the Corvette shop. There are somethings under the car I can't or refuse to do. If you can do it yourself, you will save some bucks, that is, if you are OK laying on your back for two days. Cost: labor (2 hours, $294), hardware (Y-pipe $225, mufflers $370, shipping ($147), sales tax ($107) and shop supplies ($26). The shop reported that had to drill out two rusted bolts from the cat converter. They have done other jobs for me ('98 oil pan gasket, radiator) and I have no issues with them.

The good news is I test drove the '84 yesterday, 20 miles on 2 lane highway. I got that sucker up to 57MPH, even blew through a 20MPH school zone at 21. With the cheapo ACDelco shocks, she hugged the road in those tight turns.

There's another issue I'll have to deal with, when I restarted it, she refused to run, she just stalled. It took several attempts to get it to run, WTF?

Last edited by Vulcan73; Aug 30, 2022 at 09:57 AM.
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Old Aug 30, 2022 | 05:59 AM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
Have you hit a bump IN A CURVE with a decent amount of speed yet? I'd be concerned the sideways "hop" gets worse with softer shocks. I'm not necessarily talking that spirited either. In KC's "downtown" loop there was always a split where I'd get ready for the [bad] bump(s). Cause they were in a 55mph turn-off.
I understand what you mean by that 'hop'. Can't say that I experienced it during my test ride given my speed and the road, but I will say it was a much smoother ride than with the old and worthless shocks.

My daughter (age 19 at that time) reports she was stopped by a cop who suspected the driver was under the influence. She told him that the car just bounces over every bump. Many years later, she's now a mom of two, drives a GMC 2018 Yukon Denali XL. She and her hubby just dropped $5400 to rebuild the entire suspension system.
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Old Aug 30, 2022 | 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by 84 4+3
I believe it was claimed to be 140mph top speed by GM. You'd need a lot of road to get that high too...
This Hemming's article has a very good description of the Crossfire engine. Note the line that says GM engineers had to take the 700-R4 out of overdrive at high speeds which limited top speed to 128MPH. RATS! Can't get to the grocery store at a measly 128MPH.

Ask a Hemmings Editor: Was GM's Cross-Fire V-8 really a bad engine? | Hemmings

"
It's not like GM wanted the engines revving very high. As Ludvigsen wrote, the Cross-Fire debuted at the same time as the 700-R4 automatic transmission, and GM made the 700-R4 the only transmission available behind the Cross-Fire engines. However, unlike later versions of the 700-R4, this early version had a 27-spline input shaft, making it marginal for high-performance applications. McLellan had good things to say about the 700-R4 in general, but also noted that at least in the Corvette, he and his staff had to program the transmission to downshift out of overdrive in full-throttle at high speeds, limiting the Corvette to a 128-mph top speed."

If you read the comments posted on this article, note the following comment:

"
CTcarGuy; a year ago: As a retired design engineer with 40 years in product development, I can tell you that the design is always a point-in-time solution. You make the best compromise you can that works for a particular product launch date. I am sure the engineers that worked on these engines would have preferred more development time, or a different availability of components. Alas, when the compromise hits the market, the critics begin to wonder what they were thinking. Keep in mind, the development decisions were made 5 years before the product introduction."

Ouch, I went through the same thing on a gaming product designed and marketed by a well know Seattle area software/hardware company. Those of us that worked on it knew it did not work, crashing was a routine event. The highest levels of management wanted to get the product to market ASAP and refused to put any additional money into its design and said they would cover failures under the warranty. They spent 1 billion dollars making good on warranty replacements. Did any heads roll? Nope, how can the CEO fire himself?

Last edited by Vulcan73; Aug 30, 2022 at 08:04 AM.
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Old Sep 10, 2022 | 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Kilobuck84
What exhaust system did you go with? I may be doing mine too and am not a particular fan of loud.
FYI: I started a new thread on how I did the muffler replacement: '84 C4 muffler delete. In looking back, I should have done the Y-pipe replacement myself and saved a bunch of bucks. I'm still not crazy about laying on my back under a jacked-up car but it is a doable project.

'84 C4 muffler delete - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

Last edited by Vulcan73; Sep 16, 2022 at 09:39 AM.
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Old Sep 13, 2022 | 12:54 PM
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I've got Monroe shocks on mine. lolol.

Drives good, though. Even though I don't drive it as much as I should. But I avoid bad roadways, too.
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Old Sep 16, 2022 | 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Kilobuck84
What exhaust system did you go with? I may be doing mine too and am not a particular fan of loud.
Go here to see the final muffler project:

'84 C4 muffler delete - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
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