Coil overs: DIY project?
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Coil overs: DIY project?
Anybody install their own coil overs? Is this a DIY project or is it difficult to do? I've never done any suspension work, although I did undo the rear leaf spring to install my DTE brace.
Any special tools required? Are there any "how-tos" out there?
Also, which coil-overs did you choose and how do you like them? Did they eliminate any wheel hop you had (if you had any before going to coil overs)?
Any special tools required? Are there any "how-tos" out there?
Also, which coil-overs did you choose and how do you like them? Did they eliminate any wheel hop you had (if you had any before going to coil overs)?
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by diynoob
Anybody install their own coil overs? Is this a DIY project or is it difficult to do? I've never done any suspension work, although I did undo the rear leaf spring to install my DTE brace.
Any special tools required? Are there any "how-tos" out there?
Also, which coil-overs did you choose and how do you like them? Did they eliminate any wheel hop you had (if you had any before going to coil overs)?
Any special tools required? Are there any "how-tos" out there?
Also, which coil-overs did you choose and how do you like them? Did they eliminate any wheel hop you had (if you had any before going to coil overs)?
They are on my short list - but I do not have them yet.
I have been doing some research and talking to people that have them, though.
Install is no harder than installing shocks - however... you may want to investigate beefing up the upper connection points to your chassis as they will be carrying the full suspension load now. As in welding on new brackets.
Also a good set of scales will be needed to balance each corner.
Talk to C5 Kid and ALLKAR. They both installed their coilovers (brand name unknown) and are knowledgeable about this stuff. I saw C5 Kid's car at CI 6 and had a chat with him about his coilovers.
Hope this points you in the right direction. Wish I had more first hand knowledge.
Good luck
EG
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
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From: San Francisco CA
The biggest advantage that coilovers offer is adjustability. This can come in handy on a roadcourse and also makes it easy if you just want to dial in ground clearance. If the reason you’re thinking about coilovers is as a solution to wheelhop then it’s probably overkill.
To cure wheelhop with an IRS suspension, you have to think about what is occurring. When you nail the throttle, weight transfer occurs from front to back and the rear of the car sinks. The u-joints in the axles go to more acute angles and with the torque that is transmitted through them; they would rather bend more then transmit the torque. This unloads the tire because it's easier to lift the wheel then turn it and you get wheelspin. When that happens the suspension regains control and plants the tire and the cycle repeats itself.
The answer to this problem lies in a stiffer suspension to limit movement, probably both springs and shocks, but that doesn’t mean you have to go to coilovers.
If you want to go to coilovers then the installation is straight forward but the setup is involved. You will need to discuss your needs for the setup with Lou at LGM or someone like ATI Performance. The guys in the autocross and roadracing section might be able to help you out as well.
To cure wheelhop with an IRS suspension, you have to think about what is occurring. When you nail the throttle, weight transfer occurs from front to back and the rear of the car sinks. The u-joints in the axles go to more acute angles and with the torque that is transmitted through them; they would rather bend more then transmit the torque. This unloads the tire because it's easier to lift the wheel then turn it and you get wheelspin. When that happens the suspension regains control and plants the tire and the cycle repeats itself.
The answer to this problem lies in a stiffer suspension to limit movement, probably both springs and shocks, but that doesn’t mean you have to go to coilovers.
If you want to go to coilovers then the installation is straight forward but the setup is involved. You will need to discuss your needs for the setup with Lou at LGM or someone like ATI Performance. The guys in the autocross and roadracing section might be able to help you out as well.
Last edited by SFVetteman; Jun 3, 2005 at 11:34 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
After following your TTi install, mod and tune, I wouldn't think a little thing like coilovers would strike fear in your heart!
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Originally Posted by SFVetteman
The answer to this problem lies in a stiffer suspension to limit movement, probably both springs and shocks, but that doesn’t mean you have to go to coilovers.
I still drive the car frequently so I'd rather not get a shock that's going to rattle my teeth out whenever I hit a bump.
One other question, I found an eBay listing for shocks that says that they are not "Active handling" shocks. I think what he means is they are not magnetic ride control. I just want to make sure there's not something about active handling and the shocks that I don't know about.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 2
From: Wesley Chapel Fl
noob.....I have LG coil overs and highly recommend them. I have also heard of alot of problem with the BPP coilovers blowing bushings. So you might want to get some more info on those if you are looking at them. As for install wise...I think it took me about 3 hours to install them. That was on jack stands also. The most difficult part is removing the front spring. Once that is out it is a walk in the park.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,607
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco CA
The torque has to go one of two places and that’s either through the suspension or wheelspin. First, I would try ‘04 ZO6 rear shocks and then a ZO6 rear spring. If that doesn’t do it then you could go stiffer with the spring if you think you can deal with the harsher ride or use tires with less traction so that they will just spin instead of hop.
With regard to the ‘active handling’ shocks, there are three (four if you want to get picky) GM shocks for the C5: standard, selective ride control (F45), magnetic ride control (F55) and Z06 shocks including the improved ’04 Z06 shocks.
With regard to the ‘active handling’ shocks, there are three (four if you want to get picky) GM shocks for the C5: standard, selective ride control (F45), magnetic ride control (F55) and Z06 shocks including the improved ’04 Z06 shocks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,429
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From: God's Replica
Stay away from BPP coilovers.
Overall, the install is not that bad. The rears were harder than the front as I recall. The rears had to be "trimmed" a little so they would not hit the tie rod. You get to lsoe those leaf srpings now as well Right into the trash mine went. Get a realign and corner weight "tune" when done.
Loved what my coil overs did, even though I had the BPP ones. THE bushing went out in a week. LG or DRM coilivers for me here on out.
Overall, the install is not that bad. The rears were harder than the front as I recall. The rears had to be "trimmed" a little so they would not hit the tie rod. You get to lsoe those leaf srpings now as well
Right into the trash mine went. Get a realign and corner weight "tune" when done. Loved what my coil overs did, even though I had the BPP ones. THE bushing went out in a week. LG or DRM coilivers for me here on out.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 381
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From: North NJ
there are alot of other options out there also... DRM(doug rippie) has a set that i hear are very good, and then you have the mallet ones which are slightly cheaper and they use penske shocks, and finally you got the expensive stuff with the carvaggio ones which use pesnke shocks with remote resiviors... Just keep your mind open to all options(except Breathless)