Coil over vs leaf spring.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
The Eibach system was a total failure. Developed very early on before much coilover development work was done in general. It solves nothing...probably the worst answer possible.
I don’t care if you don’t like my tone. Misinformation is bad and needs nipped in the bud immediately.
I don’t care if you don’t like my tone. Misinformation is bad and needs nipped in the bud immediately.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
I have like new C5 Z06 leaf springs I'm going to list for sale shortly. Also Z06 sways and some other suspension goodies. PM me if interested.
Last edited by Turbopower87; Jan 5, 2020 at 04:39 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,378
Likes: 3,914
From: Cincinnati, OH
This thread makes my head hurt...
"I'm concerned about the frame holding the stress"...
OP you'll be fine. Wanting stiffer springs makes a justified point to go coilovers. Messing with aftermarket leaf springs (and hoping they don't crack) is tricky. Go coilovers and you can spring it as hard as you want.
Reasonable priced options for a street car are:
LG GT2
Ridetech
Viking (twin tube)
Beyond that are JRi, Penske, MCS reaching $3000+
"I'm concerned about the frame holding the stress"...
OP you'll be fine. Wanting stiffer springs makes a justified point to go coilovers. Messing with aftermarket leaf springs (and hoping they don't crack) is tricky. Go coilovers and you can spring it as hard as you want.
Reasonable priced options for a street car are:
LG GT2
Ridetech
Viking (twin tube)
Beyond that are JRi, Penske, MCS reaching $3000+
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
this is what makes this country so beautiful, we always argue but always find a solution forward
Last edited by C7ZO6; Jan 5, 2020 at 08:34 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 516
From: Gilbert, Arizona Currently Own: 1998 Coupe YouTube: My Corvette Life
IMO, for the money, C6 Z06 shock and sway bars is the best investment for the money. And if you are able to do the work yourself, it will cost you less than $700 for everything.
Another thing that often gets overlooked is replacing all the suspension bushings. These cars are 20 years old now. Replacing that old hard rubber with new poly is a big maintenance item that should be done.
Another thing that often gets overlooked is replacing all the suspension bushings. These cars are 20 years old now. Replacing that old hard rubber with new poly is a big maintenance item that should be done.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
IMO, for the money, C6 Z06 shock and sway bars is the best investment for the money. And if you are able to do the work yourself, it will cost you less than $700 for everything.
Another thing that often gets overlooked is replacing all the suspension bushings. These cars are 20 years old now. Replacing that old hard rubber with new poly is a big maintenance item that should be done.
Another thing that often gets overlooked is replacing all the suspension bushings. These cars are 20 years old now. Replacing that old hard rubber with new poly is a big maintenance item that should be done.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
i have decided to go head with Hotchkins stage 2 leaf springs,
hotchkins heavy duty sway bars
Bilstain shocks,
moog sway bar links
Amd the reason I chose this setup is,
I will never be taking the vette to race truck to notice any marginal difference between coils and leafs if there is any,
and stock z06 kicks *** on the track and that’s not coil spring setup, so if I upgrade my suspension the way I am going to, it will be more than I can handle and it will definitely outperform most cars.
I am pretty sure those Hotchkis leaf springs, sway bars and bilstain shocks will do amazing job.
hotchkins heavy duty sway bars
Bilstain shocks,
moog sway bar links
Amd the reason I chose this setup is,
I will never be taking the vette to race truck to notice any marginal difference between coils and leafs if there is any,
and stock z06 kicks *** on the track and that’s not coil spring setup, so if I upgrade my suspension the way I am going to, it will be more than I can handle and it will definitely outperform most cars.
I am pretty sure those Hotchkis leaf springs, sway bars and bilstain shocks will do amazing job.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
The 3rd link on the c7 is what’s so great vs poly bushings. It adds an additional level of bushing deflection resistance without all the NVH of the poly stuff. It’s actually pretty genius. All the benefits with none of the drawbacks. If someone comes up with a c5/c6 retrofit I think they’d do well. However I’m not sure our frames have enough mounting space to do it cost effectively.
As for bolts, the aftermarket ones are longer. That’s it. It allows a further range past the non ‘all thread’ style factory bolt. You’ll still get hung up on front bolt limitations, pad height and such though. Many remove the front and get $8 grade 8 rears from a hardware store for the rear.
That said, you’ll still fight the rubber spring isolators and will ultimately deal with shocks not designed for a lower, limited travel. Its why if you want to go LOW, a coilover is the best street solution.
As for bolts, the aftermarket ones are longer. That’s it. It allows a further range past the non ‘all thread’ style factory bolt. You’ll still get hung up on front bolt limitations, pad height and such though. Many remove the front and get $8 grade 8 rears from a hardware store for the rear.
That said, you’ll still fight the rubber spring isolators and will ultimately deal with shocks not designed for a lower, limited travel. Its why if you want to go LOW, a coilover is the best street solution.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 147
First off im no suspension expert so take this for what its worth. The coil over is a better system than leaf springs, no real newer sports/super cars use leaf springs except the vette. That said the chassis was designed and built with the use of leaf springs, their success on the track shows how well Chevy made them work. The coil overs have some real advantages but i would worry about tuning them for the vette chassis. The leaf springs are a no brainer to make work, the coil overs probably work better when set up properly. Not sure how they work on street and occasional strip as compared to competition only.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
First off im no suspension expert so take this for what its worth. The coil over is a better system than leaf springs, no real newer sports/super cars use leaf springs except the vette. That said the chassis was designed and built with the use of leaf springs, their success on the track shows how well Chevy made them work. The coil overs have some real advantages but i would worry about tuning them for the vette chassis. The leaf springs are a no brainer to make work, the coil overs probably work better when set up properly. Not sure how they work on street and occasional strip as compared to competition only.
and that’s all we want, great handling cars, regardless what’s going under the body.
I have seen what c5 z06 does in willow springs race way in stock form, its excellent.
I think I’ll be pretty happy with the setup I am getting.
Last edited by C7ZO6; Jan 9, 2020 at 10:39 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
You’ll be quite pleased with your choices. Most all will depend on the ride height you choose and the surfaces you traverse most.
Kept at near stock height your combination will be very potent. Your only ‘disadvantage’ will be a set spring rate; but for 99% of people that won’t matter.
Kept at near stock height your combination will be very potent. Your only ‘disadvantage’ will be a set spring rate; but for 99% of people that won’t matter.
Drifting
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 147
I think your taking the safe proven route and you cant go wrong. The coil over probably has more potential for a serious racer. Are you using the car for mostly street use? Your setup sounds like it may ride very hard. The z06 or z51 stock setups are great street setups.
Last edited by jpm995; Jan 10, 2020 at 12:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
if I was to be using the vette in competitive situations, I would of chosen coil because of so many options and settings,
I want a solid stiff suspension, I don’t mind it being hard, I drive on very curvy mountain road 3 times a week to work,
It will be so fun to have a great handling daily driver again, I am super excited.
this is my first c5 and I absolutely LOVE the car.
My pervious daily driver was bmw m3, she burned in the wild fire, insurance took care of it, I wanna invest that in my beautiful c5,
thank you for all the help and sharing your knowledge.
Eric
Last edited by C7ZO6; Jan 10, 2020 at 12:44 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You’ll be quite pleased with your choices. Most all will depend on the ride height you choose and the surfaces you traverse most.
Kept at near stock height your combination will be very potent. Your only ‘disadvantage’ will be a set spring rate; but for 99% of people that won’t matter.
Kept at near stock height your combination will be very potent. Your only ‘disadvantage’ will be a set spring rate; but for 99% of people that won’t matter.
but I am gonna drive the way it’s seating and see how she handles first.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 101
Likes: 3
From: CA; Bay Area
I did the C6 Z06 shock upgrade and it FIRMED the car up a TON. Maybe a little too much.
Coil over concerns me because looking at the composite spring it is clear how gm designed the suspension to carry the load. When I changed out my shocks in 2019 I took a very good look at how the shock mounts to the chassis and the the a-arms. It certainly does not look like GM ever intended these points to carry the load of the car structurally. If anyone has any fact based information that my concerns are invalid - please correct me.
Coil over concerns me because looking at the composite spring it is clear how gm designed the suspension to carry the load. When I changed out my shocks in 2019 I took a very good look at how the shock mounts to the chassis and the the a-arms. It certainly does not look like GM ever intended these points to carry the load of the car structurally. If anyone has any fact based information that my concerns are invalid - please correct me.