Suspension upgrades
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Suspension upgrades
I am getting a 99 coupe with base suspension. It has 99k so I am sure it could use some new shocks etc. I was thinking ZO6 sways, bilstiens and maybe some stiffer coil springs. What is your take on suspension mods to make this think handle the way a vette should? Thanks
Cajun
Cajun
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I have gone from base suspension, to Z06 sways with base shocks, to Z06 sways with C6 Z06 shocks, to T1 sways with C6 Z06 shocks and now to Coilovers.
Each change made the car stick better to the road (I assume the coilovers will too).
The coilovers are going in Monday and I will be at Limerock on Saturday to give you some feedback.
The T1 sways with C6 Z06 was a great combination.
Each change made the car stick better to the road (I assume the coilovers will too).
The coilovers are going in Monday and I will be at Limerock on Saturday to give you some feedback.
The T1 sways with C6 Z06 was a great combination.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
I have gone from base suspension, to Z06 sways with base shocks, to Z06 sways with C6 Z06 shocks, to T1 sways with C6 Z06 shocks and now to Coilovers.
Each change made the car stick better to the road (I assume the coilovers will too).
The coilovers are going in Monday and I will be at Limerock on Saturday to give you some feedback.
The T1 sways with C6 Z06 was a great combination.
Each change made the car stick better to the road (I assume the coilovers will too).
The coilovers are going in Monday and I will be at Limerock on Saturday to give you some feedback.
The T1 sways with C6 Z06 was a great combination.
Cajun
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
Stock corvettes come with transverse leaf springs, not coilovers. Z06 sway bars (with metal end links) and upgraded shocks would be a great first step for you . I upgraded only the sway bars on my vert, and was very pleased with the change. Upgraded wheels/tires are not required with any of these mods.
I'm sure that Wicked Weasel (and several others) could advise you as to the benefit of spring upgrades or coilover conversions.
I'm sure that Wicked Weasel (and several others) could advise you as to the benefit of spring upgrades or coilover conversions.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,682
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I have gone from base suspension, to Z06 sways with base shocks, to Z06 sways with C6 Z06 shocks, to T1 sways with C6 Z06 shocks and now to Coilovers.
Each change made the car stick better to the road (I assume the coilovers will too).
The coilovers are going in Monday and I will be at Limerock on Saturday to give you some feedback.
The T1 sways with C6 Z06 was a great combination.
Each change made the car stick better to the road (I assume the coilovers will too).
The coilovers are going in Monday and I will be at Limerock on Saturday to give you some feedback.
The T1 sways with C6 Z06 was a great combination.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
Stock corvettes come with transverse leaf springs, not coilovers. Z06 sway bars (with metal end links) and upgraded shocks would be a great first step for you . I upgraded only the sway bars on my vert, and was very pleased with the change. Upgraded wheels/tires are not required with any of these mods.
I'm sure that Wicked Weasel (and several others) could advise you as to the benefit of spring upgrades or coilover conversions.
I'm sure that Wicked Weasel (and several others) could advise you as to the benefit of spring upgrades or coilover conversions.
I feel stupid as hell. I guess you can tell it has been awhile since I had a C5. I am used to the springs on both of my Hondas
Anyway thanks for the input.Cajun
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,019
Likes: 17
no need to feel stupid, but I did the z06 springs, sways, and shocks and it made the car perfect for me. I used 2004 z06 stuff from gmpartsdirect, and got it all for about $1350. Labor took me about 8 hrs.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
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From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
first decide on a budget you want to spend. No sense putting coilovers on a car wear the basic suspension is worn and needs rebuilt like the A-arms. You can dump 3-10,000 in a heart I could dump 25,000 on suspension if I had your charge card for my car
The budget way is poly bushings upgrade springs by finding some Z06 or used VBP springs, Bilstein Sports, and some stiffer anti-sway bars like T-1 or used Z06 or others available. How much ride do you want to sacrifice?
The budget way is poly bushings upgrade springs by finding some Z06 or used VBP springs, Bilstein Sports, and some stiffer anti-sway bars like T-1 or used Z06 or others available. How much ride do you want to sacrifice?
Last edited by John Shiels; Mar 31, 2007 at 06:33 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 8
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
I have gone from base suspension, to Z06 sways with base shocks, to Z06 sways with C6 Z06 shocks, to T1 sways with C6 Z06 shocks and now to Coilovers.
Each change made the car stick better to the road (I assume the coilovers will too).
The coilovers are going in Monday and I will be at Limerock on Saturday to give you some feedback.
The T1 sways with C6 Z06 was a great combination.
Each change made the car stick better to the road (I assume the coilovers will too).
The coilovers are going in Monday and I will be at Limerock on Saturday to give you some feedback.
The T1 sways with C6 Z06 was a great combination.
have any times to compare from before at LRP?
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
first decide on a budget you want to spend. No sense putting coilovers on a car wear the basic suspension is worn and needs rebuilt like the A-arms. You can dump 3-10,000 in a heart I could dump 25,000 on suspension if I had your charge card for my car
The budget way is poly bushings upgrade springs by finding some Z06 or used VBP springs, Bilstein Sports, and some stiffer anti-sway bars like T-1 or used Z06 or others available. How much ride do you want to sacrifice?
The budget way is poly bushings upgrade springs by finding some Z06 or used VBP springs, Bilstein Sports, and some stiffer anti-sway bars like T-1 or used Z06 or others available. How much ride do you want to sacrifice?
Cajun
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 8
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
springs will give a big gain as you look what they really do. I think springs are worth about 275-350 used for Z51-Z06. Who is doing the work are you paying anyone? Popping in some new springs is not a big deal but will require an realignment which you may want to do or check in any case. You can do what you said and add springs later.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
For me the ZO6 sway bars with metal ends (a must, plastic ones will break). I had the Bilstein Sport shocks, but the ride was too harsh for my wife because of her back. So I changed to the Bilstein HD shocks, they have 22% less stiffness, but still stick to the road in turns with the ZO6 sway bars.
Wife is happy also with the new ride
Wife is happy also with the new ride
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
springs will give a big gain as you look what they really do. I think springs are worth about 275-350 used for Z51-Z06. Who is doing the work are you paying anyone? Popping in some new springs is not a big deal but will require an realignment which you may want to do or check in any case. You can do what you said and add springs later.
I pick the car up on Wednesday and am trying to order and purchase the C6 ZO6 shocks and have the dealer install them (at no cost of course) before I get there. Hopefully they will hook me up
BTW you look very handsome in your avatar pic Take care broCajun
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,666
Likes: 395
From: Tampa FL
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12'-'13-'14-'15
where is the cheapest place to get metal endlinks and poly bushings? I know GMparthouse.com has links but am not sure of the part numbers? The part description just says link. They are $20.xx a piece. Sound right?
Cajun
Cajun
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
vbandp.com
end links came from that bay place..
That is a good price from GMpartshouse.com
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
My '99 Changes
Cajun, I bought a used '99 FRC w/Z51 supension. I replaced the Z51 shocks with C6 Z06 shocks and replaced the the plastic sway bar end links with 2004 C5 Z06 aluminum ones. Tremendous improvement in ride over stock Z51. I next plan to replace the front sway bar with a C5 Z06 sway bar just to get it as close to a Z06 suspension as I can. Most of these kind of parts you can buy off the Forum used. My C6 Z06 rear shocks were used for 3,000 miles and looked new when I got them. The rear C5 Z51 sway bar is the same as the C5 Z06. I want the suspension stiff for cornering, but not too stiff for comfort. I think the front Z06 sway bar will get it just right for me. I too have no desire to mess with the springs. Be careful about poly bushings, lots of complaints on suspension noise (sqeeks) when switching from rubber to poly bushings. Good luck. If you go GM parts route, I had good luck and pricing from Fred Beans when Gene Culley was there. He's now at GMParts House. Both of these are Forum vendors.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,019
Likes: 17
springs will give a big gain as you look what they really do. I think springs are worth about 275-350 used for Z51-Z06. Who is doing the work are you paying anyone? Popping in some new springs is not a big deal but will require an realignment which you may want to do or check in any case. You can do what you said and add springs later.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 893
Likes: 38
From: ATX
Or you could pick up used 2004 stuff here on the forsale forum. Got 2004 springs + shocks for ~$450 shipped and a new set of Z anti roll bars for ~$220 shipped on ebay. Metal end links were ~$80. The front spring is a bit of a pain to install, but the rear one is very easy.
I'd say I got it done a little quicker, but not a whole lot. I work pretty slow, tho.
I'd say I got it done a little quicker, but not a whole lot. I work pretty slow, tho.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Times we dont keep stinkin times 
Actually I ran last year and a guy with a BMW was keeping his times. I know the morning session he was quicker than me, but in the afternoon I finally put some good laps together and past him without much of a problem. He is not on these boards and I will not see him until WGI at the end of the month, but I will give feedback then.
I would hope that LRP would take full advantage of the new suspension.
Actually I ran last year and a guy with a BMW was keeping his times. I know the morning session he was quicker than me, but in the afternoon I finally put some good laps together and past him without much of a problem. He is not on these boards and I will not see him until WGI at the end of the month, but I will give feedback then.
I would hope that LRP would take full advantage of the new suspension.