Thanks to all for some great postings and help with this possible project. Just one more question: Would it possible for a mid-80's owner to post a couple close-up pics just to show how things go together? Thanks for all the input - I appreciate it!

 

After looking at the the QA1 site I think that their setup is superior to the Callaway CO that I have. Callaway alters the stock shocks and adds a sleeve to arrive at an adjustable shock. It works but doesn't look as sophistocated as the QA1. The valving is customized but not adjustable. Knowing what I know now I would probably spring for a system like that one or something similar. They weren't available when I put mine on.

As far as pics, I would love to post some but I still haven't figured out how to post them here. I guess I'm just dense. I have my car jacked up 18" to do winter work and add a LPE intake so you can see the suspension well.

 

Go here and log in using your same user name and password that you use for the regular forum. You'll be able to upload pictures and link to them once they get approved. Would love to see some pics of your coil overs!

 

Here are a few of my pic. They are big

http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC03152.jpg
http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC03153.jpg
http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC03154.jpg
http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC03155.jpg
http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC03156.jpg

 

Coupe89 - Thanks for the great pictures. Another simple question - do you have to remove the transverse spring when using coil overs or can the spring remain in place? How do you adjust the ride height with the coil overs? I wish I could take a pic of my front end to show how low it rides, but you can't see the tops of the tires as they are up in the wheel wells.

 

I took out my transverse spring.
You can adject the height. Taller the spring the lower you go.
I have loads of pics. Look at the pic in my sig.

Pic of the front
http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC02685.JPG

http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC02713.JPG

http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC02714.JPG

http://www.ong-inc.com/car/vett/DSC02715.JPG

 

I found the coil overs difficult to tune...it took me multiple, multiple spring sets to get it right.

I'd vote for the transverse leaf coupled with a shock that has a higher than stock rebound shock rate. Bilstein West can make these for you, ask for Jack.

Also note that as you lower the rear of the C-4, the rear end will tend to toe-out... a lot... as the suspension goes into bump. That's the "oh s...t" feeling that you get when your car gets unsettled at speed. I'd highly recommend getting an adjustable toe rod from Goldstrand, DRM or Exotic Muscle...and take the time to set it up with a bump steer guage. Especially since I know that the first thing you're going to do with those coilovers is slam it!

When you do slam it, and after you've cut the bump stops to slam it further, make sure to properly knotch the frame for the toe rod or it'll hang up and further exacerbate the "toe out on bump" situation.

If you need a set of springs...or a dozen... give me a call. sj

 

Beautiful car with some nice upgrades - I can't believe the mileage! My front end looks about 2 to 2 1/2 " lower than yours - way too low in my opinion - I can't fit any fingers between the left tire and wheel well and only 1 finger on the right side. It has a nice low front slope to it, but the front tires consistently scrape and rub the underside of the left fender flare when backing down the driveway, taking a sharp corner, etc. Thanks for posting the pics as well. I'll look at some web for ideas - I'd like to find a decent used set - maybe they'll show up in Parts for sale or on eBay sometime at a decent $.

 

I'm curious how you know your stock spring is bad. I understood that the fiberglass spring was supposed to last forever. That the factory had done tests with millions of duty cycles, and it doesn't fatigue like metal.

 

 

All you have to do is expose it to some harsh cleaners or petroleum products. Then it's only a matter of time. I would guess that 110k miles is a decent enough distance for a stock spring.

 

great pics, coupe 89,

Did you have to move your front sway bar forward?

Mo

 

Installation of the coil-overs is not that hard. The toughest part is milling out the frame for the top of the rear shock mounts. Exotic Muscle sells a really nice set-up and they are very informative on how to install. They also have heim-jointed sway bar links which prevent having to move the front sway-bar mounts.

 

As you can see, my '88 is a SERIOUS track only road race car.
in my 4 races at Laguna Seca this season I placed 7th (maiden race in this car), 4th, 3rd and 2nd, in fields of 40 -60 cars.

I run the transverse leaf from a 95 Z07 up front

I will sell my stock '88 Z52 front spring for $50 + shipping

My race car handles insanely well.

I have thought about switching to coil overs but when the car handles this good why mess with it?
Infinite adjustability means tons of time to dial it in.
For that matter I have a set of Koni adjustable shocks sitting in the shop that I won't put on. My Corvette challenge valved bilstiens work great. I don't want to invest time to start setting up the car all over again with the variability of adjustable shocks, the car is so fast out of the box, why bother?

I dissagree with those who say all race cars run coil overs, it is completely unnessessary.

Look at how you use your car, is it a street car with occasional track days?

A good set of sport valved Bilstiens is all you need.
The metal coil over springs add wt.

We could groove the Konis and add rings and springs and caps for a few hundred bucks and then reinforce the towers, but again, why bother.

My car builder is completely against it as well. this is in a racecar that is poised to set track records this coming season.

I wouldn't do it, and certainly not on a street car.

That's my $.02

Evan
pics of the racecar buildup and racing:
http://community.webshots.com/user/wavslav

 

Yes about .5 to .75 inches.

 

Both of the springs on my car are shot. They have 144K on them. I have replace the shocks before and they still didn't react right. There is no doubt in my mind those fiberglass springs are worn out.

 

Excellent pics!

 

Hey Evan can you give us some more details about your setup? Such as the swaybar mm and the rear end setup. I sure you also have spent a ton of time doing alingment setups and whatnot. Excellent pictures on the website. What year is your car?

 

ok You can have the front and rear springs from the '88 for $100 + shipping.
They have plenty of life left in them.
You CAN"T be saying that regular leaf springs don't work in your car.

I'll post more later about the racecar, I have to work right now

 

I finally got some pics and posted them. Sorry for the filth. Obviously mine is not a trailer queen. I have used my car for a daily driver since 89. Very few parts are original. I replace the stock parts when ever I can. My original susp is a standard non adjustable type. When I put a coilover I got Adjustable Bilsteins and manual turn them to my liking. right now they are as stiff as they'll go. That matches the springs and Rippie sway bars nicely. NOT comfortable for riding long distances but great in the twisties. According to my Vericom well over 1 G. Not bad for a Vert..... I have every chassis stiffener that RD makes and that helps too.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...cat/500/page/1

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...cat/500/page/1

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...cat/500/page/1

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...cat/500/page/1

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/phot...cat/500/page/1