Differences between early and late C4 suspension?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Differences between early and late C4 suspension?
I'm having a new chassis built for my 68 that will use C4 suspension components, so I'd like to learn about the differences between the 84-87 suspension and the later stuff. Is there a difference in performance that you can feel behind the wheel? Is it significant? Right now, I'm planning to use the earlier parts because they're readily available and cheaper, but I could probably upgrade to the later parts if it makes a big difference.
Does anybody know specifically what was changed?
Thanks!
Does anybody know specifically what was changed?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,202
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From: St. louis, MO
Re: Differences between early and late C4 suspension? (Flareside)
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
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Re: Differences between early and late C4 suspension? (Flareside)
84-87 and 88-96 were totally changed, angles (bolts and general geometry) and stiffness.
GM went from a philosophy of stiff springs and shocks to provide handling, to an idea of better geometry, bigger swaybars to provide handling. Simply because the ride quality on the 85-87 cars is rather harsh if you have Z51, and on all 84s.
GM went from a philosophy of stiff springs and shocks to provide handling, to an idea of better geometry, bigger swaybars to provide handling. Simply because the ride quality on the 85-87 cars is rather harsh if you have Z51, and on all 84s.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Differences between early and late C4 suspension? (vader86)
84-87 and 88-96 were totally changed, angles (bolts and general geometry) and stiffness.
GM went from a philosophy of stiff springs and shocks to provide handling, to an idea of better geometry, bigger swaybars to provide handling. Simply because the ride quality on the 85-87 cars is rather harsh if you have Z51, and on all 84s.
GM went from a philosophy of stiff springs and shocks to provide handling, to an idea of better geometry, bigger swaybars to provide handling. Simply because the ride quality on the 85-87 cars is rather harsh if you have Z51, and on all 84s.
Thanks again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
Re: Differences between early and late C4 suspension? (Flareside)
some will argue that the early front end has better geometry for performance. it has less camber gain with travel, but the kingpin inclination makes for much less camber loss with steering angle. in auto-x the early front ends were known as being faster.
for the rear, it seems pretty clear that the late rear is better. it still has a massive camber curve, yet a lower roll center and less jacking than the early rear. the '96 specifically has a better bumpsteer curve, too, but this might only be a set of tie-rod ends away for the '89-'95 setup.
good luck.
for the rear, it seems pretty clear that the late rear is better. it still has a massive camber curve, yet a lower roll center and less jacking than the early rear. the '96 specifically has a better bumpsteer curve, too, but this might only be a set of tie-rod ends away for the '89-'95 setup.
good luck.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Differences between early and late C4 suspension? (MSR)
some will argue that the early front end has better geometry for performance. it has less camber gain with travel, but the kingpin inclination makes for much less camber loss with steering angle. in auto-x the early front ends were known as being faster.
for the rear, it seems pretty clear that the late rear is better. it still has a massive camber curve, yet a lower roll center and less jacking than the early rear. the '96 specifically has a better bumpsteer curve, too, but this might only be a set of tie-rod ends away for the '89-'95 setup.
good luck.
for the rear, it seems pretty clear that the late rear is better. it still has a massive camber curve, yet a lower roll center and less jacking than the early rear. the '96 specifically has a better bumpsteer curve, too, but this might only be a set of tie-rod ends away for the '89-'95 setup.
good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 15
From: Lusby MD
Re: Differences between early and late C4 suspension? (Flareside)
Flareside:
Are you getting that chassis from Street Shop Inc.? If so, I met that guy at Carlisle and he has one killer setup. Brand new production-type (but stronger) frame with C4 suspension points.
I'm dying to get my hands on an trashed out C2 convertible body to build up with one of those chassis.
[Modified by 69L71, 1:21 PM 1/22/2004]
Are you getting that chassis from Street Shop Inc.? If so, I met that guy at Carlisle and he has one killer setup. Brand new production-type (but stronger) frame with C4 suspension points.
I'm dying to get my hands on an trashed out C2 convertible body to build up with one of those chassis.
[Modified by 69L71, 1:21 PM 1/22/2004]
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