Coil over vs leaf spring.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Coil over vs leaf spring.
Folks I am only 3 weeks new to c5 world.
I am planning to upgrade the suspension on my awesome C5
Should I chose heavy duty hyperco leafs, hotchkins sway bars and bilstain shocks,
or do coil over setup?
looks like price vise coil over will be about the same price.
but what setup is better for a sweet sport.
i want stiff street track suspension setup.
thank you very much
Eric
I am planning to upgrade the suspension on my awesome C5
Should I chose heavy duty hyperco leafs, hotchkins sway bars and bilstain shocks,
or do coil over setup?
looks like price vise coil over will be about the same price.
but what setup is better for a sweet sport.
i want stiff street track suspension setup.
thank you very much
Eric
Last edited by C7ZO6; Jan 3, 2020 at 11:07 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 1,580
From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
St. Jude Donor '21
Folks I am only 3 weeks new to c5 world.
I am planning to upgrade the suspension on my awesome C5
Should I chose heavy duty hyperco leafs, hotchkins sway bars and bilstain shocks,
or do coil over setup?
looks like price vise coil over will be about the same price.
but what setup is better for a sweet sport.
i want stiff street track suspension setup.
thank you very much
Eric
I am planning to upgrade the suspension on my awesome C5
Should I chose heavy duty hyperco leafs, hotchkins sway bars and bilstain shocks,
or do coil over setup?
looks like price vise coil over will be about the same price.
but what setup is better for a sweet sport.
i want stiff street track suspension setup.
thank you very much
Eric
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.
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
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.
I recall some time ago seeing an article where they compared the track performance of the three suspension systems, coilover, leaf spring and Air. I recall they found the air was very marginally better than coilover and both were slightly superior to leaf springs. The differences were however all very small, and I can't recall where I saw the article.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,797
Likes: 356
From: Northville, MI
Unless you are going to track the Corvette, coil overs will allow you to lower the stance of the car and easily corner balance your car for the best handling. If you are going to track it, then you will have to reinforce the upper attachment points. For a street driven vette, I would consider the C6 Z51 swaybars, DRM Bilstein valved shocks, and c5 Z06 leaf springs. This will give you a nice lower stance, great handling and eliminate most of the body roll when cornering. The other shock alternatives would be 04 Z06 or the adjustable Koni shocks. All of those are superior to the c6 z06 shocks ( which are bargain priced).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 324
From: Morristown, TN
All in I did my research and being new to the C5 the leaf spring suspension is fine. Upgrade to used or new Z51 or Z06 C5 leafs. But until the suspension is your actual limiting factor the car will handle just fine. Shocks do help though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
Some pretty big misinformation as usual.
The frame and attachment points are fine. The only concern anyone ever had was aluminum c6 frames.
The leafs, despite what people will say will cross talk. The biggest noticeable facet of this is the ‘dancing’ over bumps in a turn. The c5 is one of the worst handling IRS cars I’ve ever driven for that aspect. The leafs are great so long as the surface is true. So for a pure track car it’s near irrelevant aside from corner loading and spring rate tuning.
Coils shine on the street for ride height and travel on a low car along with the bump aspect.
So much depends on your intended use
The frame and attachment points are fine. The only concern anyone ever had was aluminum c6 frames.
The leafs, despite what people will say will cross talk. The biggest noticeable facet of this is the ‘dancing’ over bumps in a turn. The c5 is one of the worst handling IRS cars I’ve ever driven for that aspect. The leafs are great so long as the surface is true. So for a pure track car it’s near irrelevant aside from corner loading and spring rate tuning.
Coils shine on the street for ride height and travel on a low car along with the bump aspect.
So much depends on your intended use
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,290
Likes: 1,523
From: Oviedo Florida
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2016 C5 of Year Finalist
I run a racing Hyperco spring set up with very large sway bars . This
set up was bought from VanSteel. It is a great race suspension and a rock hard
street suspension. Most corvette owners these days want a sedan riding
suspension...this is not a suspension they would like.
Good luck
set up was bought from VanSteel. It is a great race suspension and a rock hard
street suspension. Most corvette owners these days want a sedan riding
suspension...this is not a suspension they would like.
Good luck
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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 am also concerned if upper shock tower section can handle the stress,
i wont be using my vette at any race truck,
i just want firm ride,
as far as the cross talk with leaf setup,
c7 z07 is One of the top 3 best handling vehicles in the world, I am not concerned about cross talk.
Today I drove my c7 z06 with z07 option, ride is absolutely firm, planted on the ground and that was on sport mode not even Track mode,
I want the same ride quality from the c5 and I believe it’s definitely possible,
i am gonna go head and order the parts.
ill stick to leaf setup,
hyperco stage 2 leafs.
Hotchkins sway bars, ( unless there is something better ?)
bilstain shocks.
I appreciate you guys for all the technical info.
Eric
i wont be using my vette at any race truck,
i just want firm ride,
as far as the cross talk with leaf setup,
c7 z07 is One of the top 3 best handling vehicles in the world, I am not concerned about cross talk.
Today I drove my c7 z06 with z07 option, ride is absolutely firm, planted on the ground and that was on sport mode not even Track mode,
I want the same ride quality from the c5 and I believe it’s definitely possible,
i am gonna go head and order the parts.
ill stick to leaf setup,
hyperco stage 2 leafs.
Hotchkins sway bars, ( unless there is something better ?)
bilstain shocks.
I appreciate you guys for all the technical info.
Eric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 1,580
From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
St. Jude Donor '21
Some pretty big misinformation as usual.
The frame and attachment points are fine. The only concern anyone ever had was aluminum c6 frames.
The leafs, despite what people will say will cross talk. The biggest noticeable facet of this is the ‘dancing’ over bumps in a turn. The c5 is one of the worst handling IRS cars I’ve ever driven for that aspect. The leafs are great so long as the surface is true. So for a pure track car it’s near irrelevant aside from corner loading and spring rate tuning.
Coils shine on the street for ride height and travel on a low car along with the bump aspect.
So much depends on your intended use
The frame and attachment points are fine. The only concern anyone ever had was aluminum c6 frames.
The leafs, despite what people will say will cross talk. The biggest noticeable facet of this is the ‘dancing’ over bumps in a turn. The c5 is one of the worst handling IRS cars I’ve ever driven for that aspect. The leafs are great so long as the surface is true. So for a pure track car it’s near irrelevant aside from corner loading and spring rate tuning.
Coils shine on the street for ride height and travel on a low car along with the bump aspect.
So much depends on your intended use
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 176
From: Crockett, Texas
If your name was Tadge Juechter I would take your word for it but since it is not, I am curious as to how you have concluded that "The chassis and A-Arm attachment points are fine?" You may well be right, I would just like a little more substance to convince the engineer in me.
Last edited by helomech; Jan 4, 2020 at 07:48 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
I am also concerned if upper shock tower section can handle the stress,
i wont be using my vette at any race truck,
i just want firm ride,
as far as the cross talk with leaf setup,
c7 z07 is One of the top 3 best handling vehicles in the world, I am not concerned about cross talk.
Today I drove my c7 z06 with z07 option, ride is absolutely firm, planted on the ground and that was on sport mode not even Track mode,
I want the same ride quality from the c5 and I believe it’s definitely possible,
i am gonna go head and order the parts.
ill stick to leaf setup,
hyperco stage 2 leafs.
Hotchkins sway bars, ( unless there is something better ?)
bilstain shocks.
I appreciate you guys for all the technical info.
Eric
i wont be using my vette at any race truck,
i just want firm ride,
as far as the cross talk with leaf setup,
c7 z07 is One of the top 3 best handling vehicles in the world, I am not concerned about cross talk.
Today I drove my c7 z06 with z07 option, ride is absolutely firm, planted on the ground and that was on sport mode not even Track mode,
I want the same ride quality from the c5 and I believe it’s definitely possible,
i am gonna go head and order the parts.
ill stick to leaf setup,
hyperco stage 2 leafs.
Hotchkins sway bars, ( unless there is something better ?)
bilstain shocks.
I appreciate you guys for all the technical info.
Eric
Unless in your head a c5 is the same car lol...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
If your name was Tadge Juechter I would take your word for it but since it is not, I am curious as to how you have concluded that "The chassis and A-Arm attachment points are fine?" You may well be right, I would just like a little more substance to convince the engineer in me.
There are quite a few documentations from LG Motorsports (an easy example for you to search for) with the covering of the quite lengthy time as a corvette racer and chassis parts developer. Their findings on design. Potential weak spots in the chassis and subsequent workarounds. I don’t need to regurgitate years of data because nobody cares to read.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 850
From: Southern California
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 1,580
From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
St. Jude Donor '21
Step out of C5 General and into the tech or autocross portions of this site. One you leave the look-me-YouTube and chrome covers crew; you’ll actually get some decent knowledge here.
There are quite a few documentations from LG Motorsports (an easy example for you to search for) with the covering of the quite lengthy time as a corvette racer and chassis parts developer. Their findings on design. Potential weak spots in the chassis and subsequent workarounds. I don’t need to regurgitate years of data because nobody cares to read.
There are quite a few documentations from LG Motorsports (an easy example for you to search for) with the covering of the quite lengthy time as a corvette racer and chassis parts developer. Their findings on design. Potential weak spots in the chassis and subsequent workarounds. I don’t need to regurgitate years of data because nobody cares to read.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
I let is slide the first time when you said "more misinformation as usual"in the previous thread.. I do not know you but you are acting like a condescending ***. People share what they know. I know a lot about EFI tuning and supercharging, rebuilds, maintenance etc. I choose not to insult you in any way. Loose the chip or you are going to isolate yourself.
So do I. I just choose not to exploit it for attention.
Interesting you find people should listen to yourself without being ‘Tadge’. Don’t worry, I won’t bother mentioning my accolades as you seem to need to.
Last edited by RSbeast; Jan 5, 2020 at 03:29 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 1,580
From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
St. Jude Donor '21
What do you expect. You started your response yesterday at 2:41 PM within this thread above with, "Some pretty big misinformation as usual." Very condescending as if you know all and the rest of the people know nothing. I simply asked for some factual information and if you look, I even clearly stated that "you may be correct". I do not need to be correct ever. I want to find the best answer together- that is more important. I sill will refrain from insulting you personally.
Anyhow, since you did some digging, I did some too. There does seem to be come concern by another designer Pete Callaway of Callaway Cars. Callaway tells us, ““Personally, we like the stock transverse leaf spring suspension. That’s why with our Multi-Pro R2 we developed with Eibach, we leave the leaf in place and supplement in some spring rate with the coilovers. With our coilovers, we do change the spring rates, but we only do it in small increments; like say 60 to 150 pounds per inch per axle, depending on whether you have a base model or a Z06, since the Z06’s already have slightly higher spring rates. Also, with a supplemental coilover system like the R2 that keeps the stock spring in place, the vehicle’s weight isn’t just resting on the stock shock towers that weren’t really designed to carry that much load.”
https://www.corvetteonline.com/tech-...vers-vs-leafs/
Anyhow, since you did some digging, I did some too. There does seem to be come concern by another designer Pete Callaway of Callaway Cars. Callaway tells us, ““Personally, we like the stock transverse leaf spring suspension. That’s why with our Multi-Pro R2 we developed with Eibach, we leave the leaf in place and supplement in some spring rate with the coilovers. With our coilovers, we do change the spring rates, but we only do it in small increments; like say 60 to 150 pounds per inch per axle, depending on whether you have a base model or a Z06, since the Z06’s already have slightly higher spring rates. Also, with a supplemental coilover system like the R2 that keeps the stock spring in place, the vehicle’s weight isn’t just resting on the stock shock towers that weren’t really designed to carry that much load.”
https://www.corvetteonline.com/tech-...vers-vs-leafs/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 1,580
From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
St. Jude Donor '21
Folks I am only 3 weeks new to c5 world.
I am planning to upgrade the suspension on my awesome C5
Should I chose heavy duty hyperco leafs, hotchkins sway bars and bilstain shocks,
or do coil over setup?
looks like price vise coil over will be about the same price.
but what setup is better for a sweet sport.
i want stiff street track suspension setup.
thank you very much
Eric
I am planning to upgrade the suspension on my awesome C5
Should I chose heavy duty hyperco leafs, hotchkins sway bars and bilstain shocks,
or do coil over setup?
looks like price vise coil over will be about the same price.
but what setup is better for a sweet sport.
i want stiff street track suspension setup.
thank you very much
Eric