Those with coil-overs please...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 81
From: Florence SC
St. Jude Donor '12
Those with coil-overs please...
Hey there guys. I need your help with deciding to pull the trigger on a set of coil overs. All the search feature could find were discussions on dedicated track use topics. I've had this on my mods-to-do list, and with the great price Chip has on the Pfadts, the bug has got me bad. What I am hoping for with a set of coil-overs is a better look, and a better ride. I do not track my car although I am interested in some autocrossing events (not all out racing) so my set up will be mainly for street use. I feel that once I find the setting that feels right, I more than likely will not change it much. I have lowered my 02 Vert all the way on C6 bolts up front and very low on longer rear bolts and it just doesn't have the right stance that I am after. I have installed an Elite tunnel plate and have a set of C6 Z51 sways that need to be installed. I feel these along with a set of coil overs will make one bad azz looking and performing Vert!
Am I thinking right or will this be just plain over-kill? Thanks for your advice
Also, anybody out there with a set of coil-overs got any pics that to would be appreciated.
Jim
Am I thinking right or will this be just plain over-kill? Thanks for your advice
Also, anybody out there with a set of coil-overs got any pics that to would be appreciated.Jim
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I put the Pfadt coil overs on my car last year and love them. I don't race my car, but I wanted to lower it and change the stance. I don't drive mine a bunch, but the ride seems fine to me. 
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,596
Likes: 1,712
From: Converse TX
I do not track me Vette, however I drive in the surrounding hill country on the edge. Vette now does not bounch, handles around tuns on rails, no more movements over seams in the pavement and a big plus is no more lifting above 160 mph, last you can go with the stance and firmness you like
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,312
Likes: 399
From: North Haven, CT
I love my Pfadts. My car is a nice day daily driver and spends a lot of time on the street. If you want a nice low stance without sacrificing handling and ride quality, these are the way to go. A do occasional track events with my car, but even if I didn't I'd be happy with these. Car is just so much more fun on tight backroads.
Here is my car parked next to a friend's Z06 lowered on stock bolts:
Here is my car parked next to a friend's Z06 lowered on stock bolts:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
I don't quite understand the point in adjusting the dampening. I mean, I understand the desired effect, but what is the end result? Doesn't the dampening have to be at a certain level for the springs to work at their stated rates? This is what draws me to the LGs. The dampening matches the spring rates. However, when you adjust height, how does that affect the spring and dampening?
To add another level, what about preloading? Do you have to preload the Pfadts or LGs?
To add another level, what about preloading? Do you have to preload the Pfadts or LGs?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,312
Likes: 399
From: North Haven, CT
I don't quite understand the point in adjusting the dampening. I mean, I understand the desired effect, but what is the end result? Doesn't the dampening have to be at a certain level for the springs to work at their stated rates? This is what draws me to the LGs. The dampening matches the spring rates. However, when you adjust height, how does that affect the spring and dampening?
To add another level, what about preloading? Do you have to preload the Pfadts or LGs?
To add another level, what about preloading? Do you have to preload the Pfadts or LGs?
The dampening allows you to change ride quality. For instance, if you buy LGs and find them too harsh for your local roads, you are stuck. With the Pfadts you can tone them down, then crank them up at a track day.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
Yes, I have thought about that as well. However, I am still not convinced that an adjustable dampener would be better. I would be worried that the spring rates wouldn't work well with the dampening I would set.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
I like a softer setting so the car is not so rigid and use heavy sway bars to control body movement.
The Pfadt coil overs are nice compromise between an all out racing set-up versus a street / race set-up. The dampening controls along with the spring rates used control the stiffness of the ride.
The Pfadts use rubber stops if the dampening is to minimal, but I doubt that will be an issue. I'm not sure of the road quality where you live but here we get mixed road quality and I like a pretty lite setting of 6 in front and 4 in the rear.
I never had any issues with bottoming out.
The Pfadt coil overs are nice compromise between an all out racing set-up versus a street / race set-up. The dampening controls along with the spring rates used control the stiffness of the ride.
The Pfadts use rubber stops if the dampening is to minimal, but I doubt that will be an issue. I'm not sure of the road quality where you live but here we get mixed road quality and I like a pretty lite setting of 6 in front and 4 in the rear.
I never had any issues with bottoming out.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 61
From: Port Huron MI
I bought some PFADTs for the same reason as you.... not a track car but wanted complete control over my suspension to enjoy, get perfect stance, good ride, and still enjoy the twisties on the street. PFADTs covered it all. I am damn low, lower than I was on aftermarket bolts and love it. Ride quality is great, handling is amazing, and no issues bottoming out although I do hit my fattdaddys from time to time on inclines but thats what they're there for. Do a quick search under my name for pictures or go to my garage to see my stance. Buy them and don't look back, you WONT regret it. Bar none the best mod I have done to my car!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Still, I would venture to say that you can end up with a combination of adjustments that make things worse. Do you remember the once-popular graphic equalizers that were common in cars. It was very easy to end up with sound that was far worse than what you started with. For most people, having separate bass and treble was all that was needed.
I liken that scenario to adjustable coilovers. Perhaps serious track drivers can take full advantage of the adjustability of coilovers, but for the guy who wants a bit better handling performance on the street, the Bilstein-equipped LGs are plug & play and the better way to go, IMO.
