Suspension Gurus
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 933
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From: Inland Empire CA
Suspension Gurus
Before I waste a lot of time, I want to know where to start. Lately I've noticed the handling on my FRC seem to be a bit "vague". The rear end feels like it needs to be tighter or something. When I go over a small bump or something in the road I'll hear a clunk or something from the rear and car seems to do a slight sway to one side before correcting itself. What exactly could this be? Something loose? 99 FRC no suspension mods. Mods are in the signature.
I want to eventually tighten up the suspension to make it handle like it's on rails, but this problem is quite annoying at the moment. Thanks in advance for any input.
I'm guessing the ultimate setup would be coil-overs and fat (maybe pfadt
) sway bars and a thick tunnel plate. The poor man's version (me) is Z06 shocks with nice sway bars.
I want to eventually tighten up the suspension to make it handle like it's on rails, but this problem is quite annoying at the moment. Thanks in advance for any input.
I'm guessing the ultimate setup would be coil-overs and fat (maybe pfadt
) sway bars and a thick tunnel plate. The poor man's version (me) is Z06 shocks with nice sway bars.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: TEMECULA CALIFORNIA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
With a proven Coilover system everything is matched for you. With standard shocks if you upgrade then you will need to match your spring rates to get everything working together again.
Coilover system is lighter than shocks with leaf springs.
Coilovers work independantly.
Coilovers you can adjust ride height at each corner.
Most Coilovers are more harsh on the street.
installing coilovers should have corner weight done.
Pfadt makes a pretty good all around coilover (street and track). If you are doing track only then there are other options available.
there is some good information here
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/f8/co...-design-71514/
Last edited by Wicked Weasel; Dec 14, 2007 at 10:35 AM.
Team Owner
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From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
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From: Burlington NC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Inland Empire CA
Thanks guys.
Yeah, I'd love to get some coil overs, just not at moment I'm tight on cash. Also I agree C6 Z06 shock + bigger sway bars is also a good improvement.
So the noise I'm hearing is the shock? or something loose? or something in my head?
Yeah, I'd love to get some coil overs, just not at moment I'm tight on cash. Also I agree C6 Z06 shock + bigger sway bars is also a good improvement.
So the noise I'm hearing is the shock? or something loose? or something in my head?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
check the rear shocks as stated. Also check the swaybar endlinks to make sure they are tight.
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Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
You should also check the camber concentric bolts on the lower a-arms, they can come loose. And maybe have the alighnment checked.
The C6 Z06 shocks are nice, alone they will make the vette handle bumps better. Keep an eye out in the parts section
The C6 Z06 shocks are nice, alone they will make the vette handle bumps better. Keep an eye out in the parts section
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 954
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From: Salt Lake City UT
St. Jude Donor '08
Autocross & Roadrace Forum Sponsor
If you're looking for the "quick & dirty," the 07 C6Z shocks and a set of C6 Z51 sways will treat you well. They are the stiffest production package from GM that actually has reasonable balance.
Avoid the C6Z rear sway (the front is the same as the C6 Z51).
Look for our new Pfadt Inverted Shock package in the next couple of months!
-Aaron
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 833
Likes: 2
From: Boca FL
If you're looking for the "quick & dirty," the 07 C6Z shocks and a set of C6 Z51 sways will treat you well. They are the stiffest production package from GM that actually has reasonable balance.
Avoid the C6Z rear sway (the front is the same as the C6 Z51).
Look for our new Pfadt Inverted Shock package in the next couple of months!
-Aaron
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 933
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From: Inland Empire CA
Thanks guys, I'll check those things, and when I'm ready to upgrade parts I'm pretty sure I know what I want. Some Pfadt stuff would be really nice to get 
I don't know about the C6Z06 rear sway bar... but if Aaron Pfadt says to avoid it, that's good enough for me... I know a lot more about engines than suspension technology anyways...
I don't know about the C6Z06 rear sway bar... but if Aaron Pfadt says to avoid it, that's good enough for me... I know a lot more about engines than suspension technology anyways...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 954
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From: Salt Lake City UT
St. Jude Donor '08
Autocross & Roadrace Forum Sponsor
The balance on a C6 Z51 car is wonderful right out of the box. The Z06 uses the same front bar as the Z51 and about doubles the rate for the rear. It makes a little sense with the tire combo that ships on the C6Z, but even on that car it is a little tail happy. I find that it really limits corner exit power application. The Z51 package has excellent balance. Balance trumps stiffness always. Of the GM bar packages available, the C6 Z51 setup is the best thing going. Of course it is soft, but that doesn't mean it isn't fast.
-Aaron
-Aaron
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 833
Likes: 2
From: Boca FL
The balance on a C6 Z51 car is wonderful right out of the box. The Z06 uses the same front bar as the Z51 and about doubles the rate for the rear. It makes a little sense with the tire combo that ships on the C6Z, but even on that car it is a little tail happy. I find that it really limits corner exit power application. The Z51 package has excellent balance. Balance trumps stiffness always. Of the GM bar packages available, the C6 Z51 setup is the best thing going. Of course it is soft, but that doesn't mean it isn't fast.
-Aaron
-Aaron
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 968
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From: Regina Sask
Many people claim that the 04 Z06 shocks are the cure for wheel hop. Yet my friend's 2500 mile 04 ZO6 has wheel hop. My 2001 ZO6 also has wheel hop at cooler temps, with 305/30/19 PS2's. With my car raised on a hoist, I can toe the rear wheels in & out with my hands tugging on the tires. I'm going to install Prothane control arm bushings.
Russ Kemp
Russ Kemp
Last edited by Russ K; Dec 15, 2007 at 08:04 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Va Beach VA
I had almost the same sound and symptoms you described last week. It was loose upper control arm bolts on driver side. I would just make sure and verify all the nuts and bolts.
Hope it all works out
Hope it all works out
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 954
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City UT
St. Jude Donor '08
Autocross & Roadrace Forum Sponsor
-Aaron
