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

Leaf (sp?) or Coil-Over, vote...

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Old Nov 5, 2003 | 02:23 AM
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Default Leaf (sp?) or Coil-Over, vote...

OK, daily driver, main interest is 1/4 mile, but MAYBE autocross sometimes with friends, not big events, but local contests here and there...
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Old Nov 5, 2003 | 11:25 AM
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Default Re: Leaf (sp?) or Coil-Over, vote... (BowTieBlood)

you might run into rules problems with coil overs regarding the autox.

I will have to make this exact decision soon, and I am leaning towards coil overs.
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Old Nov 5, 2003 | 11:42 AM
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Default Re: Leaf (sp?) or Coil-Over, vote... (BowTieBlood)

Just completed my coil-over conversion. completed install myself, added the R&D camber brace. plan to have a negative camber line-up next week. The coil-over is a completely different feel than transverse. coil-over good, very good.
96 LT4, 15Kmiles, blk/blk, D3's on GS wheels, coil-overs, heimlink ends, camber brace, by-pass, 160 thermo, hypertech (just to control the fans), K&N open lid. Coming soon 4:10's
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Old Nov 5, 2003 | 07:20 PM
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Default Re: Leaf (sp?) or Coil-Over, vote... (BowTieBlood)

JMHO - Get all the seat time you can without making more mods. I mean lots of seat time. Then, decide what type of competition and which class you want to compete in. Then carefully study the rules. Every change you make, even seemingly innocuous ones, can push you into a class where you are not competitive. Coil-overs place you into "extremely competitive" classes against dedicated race-prepared cars under most sanctioning organizations. I think your money is better spent elsewhere.
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Old Nov 5, 2003 | 07:23 PM
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Default Re: Leaf (sp?) or Coil-Over, vote... (BowTieBlood)

The coilovers dont help you in the 1/4, and they will put you into higher level groupings in an autocross because they are not stock and provide a big advantage (at least from the rules-maker perspective).

I think coilovers put you into Group III or X in NCCC competition, where youll need major engine mods to keep up with some of those guys, and you will still probably lose because of their extensive experience and skill.

But the NCCC stuff is alot of fun, you should look into it.
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Old Nov 5, 2003 | 07:50 PM
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Default Re: Leaf (vader86)

The coilovers dont help you in the 1/4, and they will put you into higher level groupings in an autocross because they are not stock and provide a big advantage (at least from the rules-maker perspective).

I think coilovers put you into Group III or X in NCCC competition, where youll need major engine mods to keep up with some of those guys, and you will still probably lose because of their extensive experience and skill.

But the NCCC stuff is alot of fun, you should look into it.
Yea I figured as much 1/4 wise they wouldn't help, it was the alternative options they give you that I was thinking about.

Something else that's fun to do...whenever little local places put on contest in huge parking lots haha. Most of the ones I've seen/ridden in, a vette would suck, but my friend has a little mazda miata :U but man, that thing is awesome on a little tight course, runs with the big dogs at like 1/10th of the power. Fun as hell once you get going :cheers:

I'd be doing orgranized events though if I did it in my Vette, not just parking lot rampages :yesnod:
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Old Nov 5, 2003 | 08:07 PM
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Default Re: Leaf (sp?) or Coil-Over, vote... (BowTieBlood)

Don't worry about being bumped in classes in autoX. Go for fun. When you start comepteting that is typically where it gets expensive then the fun factor takes a dive.

Besides most car club events do not care if you have coil overs or hal 84 point adjustables or crap like that. The coilovers will make your driving experience as a whole better. From AutoX, road course, daily driving.

If you can sport the few extra hundred for the gear, do it.

Find a Vette club that sponsers autocrosses. They set them up for high speed turns. This is a video of me driving a friends ZR-1, stock shocks, sway bars, and original GSC crap tires. I kept plowing through the corners.

http://www.pnwzr1.net/Videos/NickautoX.wmv

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Old Nov 6, 2003 | 10:30 AM
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Default Re: Leaf (sp?) or Coil-Over, vote... (BowTieBlood)

Hey if you are just having fun the coil-overs are very good. If you plan on competing listen to Navyvet and Vader. Beware competative racing becomes more work and less fun. my 2 cents
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Old Nov 6, 2003 | 10:55 AM
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Default Re: Leaf (gs109)

Competitive racing is less fun? I don't think any of us would spend the $$ if it wasn't fun. The day it stops being fun, I stop racing. One more thing, a HUGE part of the "fun" in racing is the camaraderie on and off the track. You would be surpirsed at the number of people who offered me to loan me one of their cars after I blew a motor, just to finish a series in which I was competing against them. This is truly what it's all about - good racing, good times, and good friends.

Coil-overs place you in Group 3 - Race Prepared if it's NCCC sanctioned. In SCCA, you would be in B-Prepared, or..... I haven't got the rulebook with me (& I don't use them so haven't really checked), but SM2 allows any suspension modifications "as long as the original attachment points are used." I think this would make coil-overs legal in SM2 (same shock attachment points) and removing the transverse spring would be OK under the "any suspension mods" part. Again, I think this is right, but since they are not applciable to me, I haven't checked for sure.

Anyway, participate and get all the seat time you can; learn more about the limits of both you and your car; but most of all, have fun :) :flag
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