Suspension (the basics)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 49
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From: Alpharetta GA
Suspension (the basics)
OK, still looking at a purchase of an 86 vette, and have a few suspension upgrade questions.
I have never really messed too much with upgrading suspension before (doing springs and sways to my 04 RX8 this weekend so I'll be getting an education). I look at the 86 C4 and it seems there is a shock (and adjustables fr sale on tirerack) but where are the front springs? Are they an easily upgradeable change?
How about the rear. I understand there is an inverted leaf, but what are the common upgrade strategies and how easily do they mount?
I have never really messed too much with upgrading suspension before (doing springs and sways to my 04 RX8 this weekend so I'll be getting an education). I look at the 86 C4 and it seems there is a shock (and adjustables fr sale on tirerack) but where are the front springs? Are they an easily upgradeable change?
How about the rear. I understand there is an inverted leaf, but what are the common upgrade strategies and how easily do they mount?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: anderson sc
the c4 has front and rear transverse leaf springs. there plastic err something like it. shocks are easy to change, to upgrade the spring you either buy a better leaf spring, and swap em, or you remove the leaf springs and go coil overs. i hear this is the setup for autoxing but it's $$$ and involved. gotta relocate sway bars and modify parts. other than that the suspension is simple. i recommend, buyin some good shocks( i got QA1's), and lower ur car. it helps the handling. if u feel like it, replace the bushings with urethane ones. and getting stuff like the R&D camber brace and cross bar are nice too. i have both and love the way they assist the car in hadling. still leaf springs for me though. hope this helps
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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They are fiberglass transverse springs.
The ultimate upgrade is a set of coilovers from Doug Rippie, but theyre expensive. If yours is Z51, you'll be fine with the stockers however. You could also get a custom set from VetteBrakes if you wish.
Note that changing the rear spring really affects the ride quality of the car, so dont go too stiff if you want to drive it around.
Other good upgrades would be the CamberBrace and replacement of ALL the bushings on the car with polygraphite or polyurethane (they'll squeak if not lubed constantly though).
The ultimate upgrade is a set of coilovers from Doug Rippie, but theyre expensive. If yours is Z51, you'll be fine with the stockers however. You could also get a custom set from VetteBrakes if you wish.
Note that changing the rear spring really affects the ride quality of the car, so dont go too stiff if you want to drive it around.
Other good upgrades would be the CamberBrace and replacement of ALL the bushings on the car with polygraphite or polyurethane (they'll squeak if not lubed constantly though).
