Like the title says, it is time for me to tap into the limitless knowledge on here in order to sort out my suspension.
Originally the idea was to get a Pfadt Johnny O'Connel package, consisting of the sway bars, links and shocks. This was supposed to be riding alongside Z06 Springs. However after reading quite a bit on here and thinking everything over, I decided to go a different route.
I am building my car somewhat on a budget, so inevitably there have to be some compromises made. So I decided to compromise on the sway bars and links, by going with the GM C6 Z06 bars and ends, using the savings towards coilovers.
I don't know how correct am I, but what I gather is that coilover shocks can pretty much be divided into four groups:
1. Ultra high performance race shocks, like Ohlins, KW etc., that go for over $3000
2. Upper end "all purpose" coilovers like Pfadt and LG that are close to the $2000 range
3. Shocks that by some are considered "knock-offs" like STANCE shocks, which keep their price just above the $1000 mark, thanks to manufacturing somewhere in Asia
4. Shock by companies who have been in business for long time, but are not Corvette oriented like QA1, making a rather generic shocks that just fit and are bellow the $1000 mark.

The first kind make absolutely no sense to me as my car will probably never make it to a racetrack.
The second option I would love to have, but I just can't see myself shelling out the two grand.
I read some horror stories about QA1 coils, so I don't think the savings are worth the trouble that may come with them.
So, here it comes.
I need all the advise and help with choosing a set of coilovers. I know there are people who have experience with the Stance shocks. I would like to hear what they have to say. Also I have read before when the subject has been brought out, that there are vendors on the CF that actually can hook us up with some killer prices on shocks. My budget for the coilovers is MAXED out at $1200, maybe $1300, which would be stretching it. So for the money, what is the best I can get?
If you are a vendor and there is an issue with "advertising" the price, please shoot me a PM.
Tank you in advance.

 

So, 93 people looked at this and nobody has anything to tell me?

 

ok well I know there are 94 people including you other than myself interested in this as well. :-) I'm with you 100%. I would love to do some coil overs but I'm not spending $2000-$3000 to do it. Especially when my car will never see the track and just want lowered look done the right way. I hope you get some input on an affordable compromise.

 

Michael,

You asked a fair question: is there a coil-over set-up out there that is as good as the Pfadt/LG options, but $600 (LG) to $900 (Pfadt) less expensive?

I, too, have researched this topic. All I can tell you is that my work tells me, "No, there isn't such an option."

Hard to prove or disprove a negative but all I can say is this: if there exists a low-cost option on par with the Pfadt/LG options, our Forum members would have chatted about it at length. There is no such chat, so I must assume its because the low-cost option doesn't exist.

Now, if you want to buy some used Pfadt/LG coil-overs, those are listed for sale from time to time, and in your price range, on our Forum. But I, for one, am gun-shy of buying these suspension bits used...can't tell whether they were just used or ABused.

I subscribed to your thread to see what others had to say...no comments says, to me, that no one can offer much help.

By the way, current Forum chatter suggests that neither Pfadt nor LG can presently ship customer orders - no inventory in stock. So it appears even the (unacceptably) high-cost option isn't currently a doable one.

The Lizzard

 

I tagged along on this thread to see if any new info came out. But, if you do a search, there is already a lot of information out there on this..

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...pros-cons.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-thread.html

I just did a search for "coilover" in the title only, in the C5 General forum and came up with a list of threads to read through..

I'm in the same boat, and debating lowering on stock bolts with the C6Z shocks or breaking the piggy bank for some less expensive coil overs.

 

Some links about the STANCE coilovers..

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ar-stance.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ck-review.html

 

FWIW, I suggest doing it right the first time and get coilovers. It gives you the ability to adjust your own ride height and ride feel. When I purchased my car, it had the First gen Pfadt Coilovers, and I would say the ride feel is ok but then again the old owner never got the car corner weight. I am now running LG G2 coilovers with T1 sway bars and they are non-adjustable but LG would spec it for you. I say for the $$ they are pretty worth it, my car is more responsive and it gives it a nice ride even though its non adjustable. Also don't forget if you ever decide to get coilovers, make sure you get your car corner weight and aligned. Hope this helps.

 

You have one less vendor to look at now, Pfadt is out of business.

 

Yep. See this post on the Forum: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...as-closed.html

Profitable businesses that need cash to finance working capital can get it. Unprofitable businesses cannot. Lack of profitability is a consequence of costs such as warranty claims, etc.

Wonder what the real story is?

The Lizzard

 

There will be very subjective views about which coil overs are “best” etc. and a lot will depend upon what your intended use of the car is. But for what it is worth I chose Stance. They are a pretty close replica of a PFADT earlier version, if not a licensed copy. I am not a consistent road racer, or auto crosser and drive mostly on the street. I wanted to lower my car without giving up shock travel, or adversely affect handling. The Stance have met these requirements and have had no issues. They are not as easily adjustable but I rarely need to adjust them once we got them corner balanced and set to the ride I wanted. I think they ride as well as a stock base C5 if not more supple but tighter. I also added C6 Z06 sway bars, and about to add 275x35x18(9.5) front and 325x30x19(12) rears. Again, you will hopefully continue to get more views from others as well.

 

Thank you everyone for the input and I hope it keeps coming.
Before I even opened this thread today, the first thing I saw was the Pfadt going out of business. This is sort of bad news, as like mentioned one less vendor, but on the flip side of the coin, one less choice I have to worry about.
I just sorted out, which headers exactly I am getting. And the shocks were the next step. Honestly, the Stance shocks are starting to look better and better to me. I know they are not "the best", but hey!, a lot of things on our C5s are not the best, but they still work for us and we love our cars. I don't need the best. I need what works best for me. Which means anything better than stock. Because let's face it, we don't really NEED anything more than what our Vettes offered as they came out of the factory.
I hope to get more replies and hopefully some pros and cons and maybe even some preferred pricing from the vendors on the forum.
Tank you all in advance.

 

This was what I was really interested to see. I am currently running exactly the tire sizes you mentioned and have C6Z06 sways.Thank you very much for the feedback.
Now if you can point me in the right direction to where to get them at a deal, I will really appreciate it.

 

I got mine through Dennis at DD Mods, he is a forum vendor.

 

Ok, so taking into account the recent situation with Pfadt and after talking to Dennis from Double D the decision was made to go with Stance coilovers. By the way I have to give props to Dennis. What a great guy! Excellent communication and service. I just paid for them today and the last set they had in stock should ship to me tomorrow. I should get them sometimes next week. When I do, I'll post pictures.
Thanks to everyone for the input.

 

You guys are complaining about $1200 would have pooped your pants when all there was out there were 5000-6000 dollar setups about 10 years ago. Back in my day son...lol

Anyways, now that pfadts out of the picture have fun, I'd honestly not skimp on suspension for a sports car though. Trust me you want to be able to be able to adjust the valving, and be able to do this easily.

 

Well back in my day... flat screen TV's were just coming out and could cost $20K! Now they are under $1k and the technology and quality are better. Price doesnt always equal better, except maybe for bragging rights. But if I were a dedicated road racer or autocrosser yes I would look to one more easily adjustable. Depends on your intended use and $1200 is not really skimping on a primarily street driven car, IMHO, and worth all of the 2 cents it desrves.

 

Although Stance coil overs are relatively new to the corvette world they have been heavily used in the European market and have a solid quality reputation. They are a lot of bang for the buck and you will be quite happy with them. Just my 2 cents

 

Thanks Ricks98. That is what my research showed me too and this was part of the reason to go with them. Also the threads I was pointed too on here and the personal experience of people on here like alxltd1. Also spoke to few vendors who carry more than one brand in their inventory and had Stance shocks on their personal cars. That tells me something.

 

I am sorry and don't mean to be rude, but you make no sense.
First of all, we are not complaining about $1200 shocks. On the contrary. We are saying we would like to pay $1200. We are just not willing to pay over 2 grand for components whose superiority we will never get to put to the test, because we don't track our cars.
And the logic behind your comment about skimping on suspension just plain escapes me. Unless of course putting lightweight billet aluminum modern coilover shock in place of a run of the mill technologically outdated shocks and ancient buggy springs is considered a downgrade.

 

i had stance c/o on my first z and only reason i found this thread was doing a search to see if anyone was selling used or a group purchase to return business to them. *satisfied*