Leafs to Coilovers?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Leafs to Coilovers?
A friend at work told me that swapping to coilovers is not a simple task and that the leaf springs "hold the rear cradle together." I don't have any information on this and figured it was a simple swap. Can you guys give me some insight?
-Alex
-Alex
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
You will love these.
Quite easy to install, with proper tools & equipment.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/blog/wp-c...structions.pdf
Quite easy to install, with proper tools & equipment.
http://www.pfadtracing.com/blog/wp-c...structions.pdf
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 1
From: Torrance California
coil overs was one othe best mods i did and was simple to install. remove leaf springs and put coil overs where old shocks used to be. Done. Car handles awesome and is so adjustable. Ride height and dampening. 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
You'll love them, but do a search here for some of the rough spots in the install....it IS a lot of work. For example, on the LGs that rear upper bolt is a pistol to get a wrench on...see my thread for pics and description.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Speaking of the upper mounts on the LG's is a much too busy for me.
Too much up there (fasteners) that can end up causing problems.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Your friend at work needs to do some reading before he spouts off like he has half a clue...
I wrote a procedure on my web site you can read thru.
www.ToqueZ06.com
One of my favorite mods so far ! ! !
Toque
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Aw heck, I've got time tonight...here are some things to be aware of:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...intenance.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...hock-bolt.html
Let me know if this helps.....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...intenance.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...hock-bolt.html
Let me know if this helps.....
Last edited by $$$frumnuttin'; Jul 23, 2012 at 09:36 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: Columbia TN
It's a great mod if you really drive your car(read, drive it like you stole it). I love the the set up. I'm running PFADT Featherlights and can't speak highly enough of their build quality.
Tell your friend who thinks the leaf spring holds the cradle together to get off his A$$ and take a look under the car or pick up a wrench and do some work himself. Anyone who's read any of the instructions on how to install these knows that isn't true.
Good luck with the install if you decide to go that route. There are several of us here that will be willing to help.
Tell your friend who thinks the leaf spring holds the cradle together to get off his A$$ and take a look under the car or pick up a wrench and do some work himself. Anyone who's read any of the instructions on how to install these knows that isn't true.
Good luck with the install if you decide to go that route. There are several of us here that will be willing to help.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 9
The install procedure for our FeatherLight Singles is actually pretty easy if you're familiar with turning your own wrenches. The leaf springs aren't that difficult to get out once you've removed the shocks from the car, and the new coilover units bolt directly in with no fabrication or drilling necessary. Our BOA upper mount system works functionally similar to a ball joint so the install process couldn't be easier, the upper mount is held in place by a single bolt in the front just like the factory shocks, and the rear factory upper mount plate is reused for the rear.
Someone else has already posted this as well, but check out our install instructions for info on installing and setting up a set of FeatherLight Singles. Pfadt Race Engineering FeatherLight Single Adjustable Coilover Instructions
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
As some other posters have mentioned, the leaf springs do not hold the subframe together. They do bolt to the subframe though.
The install procedure for our FeatherLight Singles is actually pretty easy if you're familiar with turning your own wrenches. The leaf springs aren't that difficult to get out once you've removed the shocks from the car, and the new coilover units bolt directly in with no fabrication or drilling necessary. Our BOA upper mount system works functionally similar to a ball joint so the install process couldn't be easier, the upper mount is held in place by a single bolt in the front just like the factory shocks, and the rear factory upper mount plate is reused for the rear.
Someone else has already posted this as well, but check out our install instructions for info on installing and setting up a set of FeatherLight Singles. Pfadt Race Engineering FeatherLight Single Adjustable Coilover Instructions
The install procedure for our FeatherLight Singles is actually pretty easy if you're familiar with turning your own wrenches. The leaf springs aren't that difficult to get out once you've removed the shocks from the car, and the new coilover units bolt directly in with no fabrication or drilling necessary. Our BOA upper mount system works functionally similar to a ball joint so the install process couldn't be easier, the upper mount is held in place by a single bolt in the front just like the factory shocks, and the rear factory upper mount plate is reused for the rear.
Someone else has already posted this as well, but check out our install instructions for info on installing and setting up a set of FeatherLight Singles. Pfadt Race Engineering FeatherLight Single Adjustable Coilover Instructions
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,296
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From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Another option--Hyperco racing leaf springs. Shop around and
you can save alot of coin. Note--your vette will sit alot lower.
Very good ride.
you can save alot of coin. Note--your vette will sit alot lower.
Very good ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 2
From: Waterloo IL
If you are going to use your C5 as a daily driver, I would stay with the leafs. I had the LG GT2 and it beat me to death as a daily driver. They are adjustable but it went from hard ride to very hard ride. Just my opinion.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
I thought I was interested in a coil over shock setup but:
1. I want to keep the stock ride height because I live on a rough road but it seems all coil over systems lower ride height below stock
2. I don't want to get beat to death with a really stiff shock system as I mostly only drive the car for cruising/touring and no racing or track use.
Are there any coil over systems that are made for cruising/touring that offer a softer ride? Or should I be looking at a standard type of shock?
1. I want to keep the stock ride height because I live on a rough road but it seems all coil over systems lower ride height below stock
2. I don't want to get beat to death with a really stiff shock system as I mostly only drive the car for cruising/touring and no racing or track use.
Are there any coil over systems that are made for cruising/touring that offer a softer ride? Or should I be looking at a standard type of shock?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
I thought I was interested in a coil over shock setup but:
1. I want to keep the stock ride height because I live on a rough road but it seems all coil over systems lower ride height below stock
2. I don't want to get beat to death with a really stiff shock system as I mostly only drive the car for cruising/touring and no racing or track use.
Are there any coil over systems that are made for cruising/touring that offer a softer ride? Or should I be looking at a standard type of shock?
1. I want to keep the stock ride height because I live on a rough road but it seems all coil over systems lower ride height below stock
2. I don't want to get beat to death with a really stiff shock system as I mostly only drive the car for cruising/touring and no racing or track use.
Are there any coil over systems that are made for cruising/touring that offer a softer ride? Or should I be looking at a standard type of shock?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I thought I was interested in a coil over shock setup but:
1. I want to keep the stock ride height because I live on a rough road but it seems all coil over systems lower ride height below stock
2. I don't want to get beat to death with a really stiff shock system as I mostly only drive the car for cruising/touring and no racing or track use.
Are there any coil over systems that are made for cruising/touring that offer a softer ride? Or should I be looking at a standard type of shock?
1. I want to keep the stock ride height because I live on a rough road but it seems all coil over systems lower ride height below stock
2. I don't want to get beat to death with a really stiff shock system as I mostly only drive the car for cruising/touring and no racing or track use.
Are there any coil over systems that are made for cruising/touring that offer a softer ride? Or should I be looking at a standard type of shock?
Where did you hear that a coil over suspension is a stiff setup ?
I guess I find that funny because I hear it all the time.
Toque
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
It seems that most information I read about them says they are made for racing and have a lower and stiffer ride compared to stock. And I have read several posts here where people have indicated that also.
Do you know of any that offer stock ride height and a softer cruising/touring style of ride compared to the racing setups?
Do you know of any that offer stock ride height and a softer cruising/touring style of ride compared to the racing setups?