Replace springs on F45?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Replace springs on F45?
Has anybody replaced the stock F45 springs with higher rate ones? Perhaps the Z51 springs? Doable? Will the F45 system complain or fail? I was thinking of only changing the springs and maybe the sway bars, but keeping the shocks. :yesnod:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca 95131
Re: Replace springs on F45? (raygr)
Raygr,
Replaced my F45 springs with Z06 springs, this after replacing the stock bars with Hotchkis bars. With the adjustable F45 and the stiffer springs I think you've got the best all around suspension setup. Run the soft setting around town and go to competion mode for the canyons or the race track. Have not
experienced any codes or other issues since installing the springs.
Go for it, you can always swap them.
JT
Replaced my F45 springs with Z06 springs, this after replacing the stock bars with Hotchkis bars. With the adjustable F45 and the stiffer springs I think you've got the best all around suspension setup. Run the soft setting around town and go to competion mode for the canyons or the race track. Have not
experienced any codes or other issues since installing the springs.
Go for it, you can always swap them.
JT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 2
From: Sindelfingen Germany
Re: Replace springs on F45? (FUN4JT)
Great response, exactly what I wanted to hear.
One question: how did you change the springs? Did you use that strain tool shown in the manual or did you do something different?
Frederik
One question: how did you change the springs? Did you use that strain tool shown in the manual or did you do something different?
Frederik
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca 95131
Re: Replace springs on F45? (C5 Frederik)
I need to look up the name of the vendor, I recall they are located in Oregon.
Don't know the exact percentage but I believe the Z06 springs are about 30%
stiffer then the Z51 springs.
Replacement of the front spring involved dropping the lower "A" arms, not that difficult to do, takes about 1 1/2 hrs. The rears can be done in 15 minutes.
I'll post the vendor if I can find the info.
JT
Don't know the exact percentage but I believe the Z06 springs are about 30%
stiffer then the Z51 springs.
Replacement of the front spring involved dropping the lower "A" arms, not that difficult to do, takes about 1 1/2 hrs. The rears can be done in 15 minutes.
I'll post the vendor if I can find the info.
JT
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 973
Likes: 221
From: Lake Norman NC
Re: Replace springs on F45? (C5 Frederik)
C5 Frederik,
Use a bottle jack to replace the springs and take off your front shocks and lower the control arm. I have changed out my front and rear springs on my C-5 F-45 and it was easy, I even did the job in a small German garage. I also disabled my F-45 and replaced them with belstiens sports and what a deference from the F-45 system I will never go back. The F-45 base springs
are not meant for high speed driving in Germany, if you need help with the change send me an e-mail I live in Kitzingen Germany. taylorms@topsurf.com
Use a bottle jack to replace the springs and take off your front shocks and lower the control arm. I have changed out my front and rear springs on my C-5 F-45 and it was easy, I even did the job in a small German garage. I also disabled my F-45 and replaced them with belstiens sports and what a deference from the F-45 system I will never go back. The F-45 base springs
are not meant for high speed driving in Germany, if you need help with the change send me an e-mail I live in Kitzingen Germany. taylorms@topsurf.com
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Re: Replace springs on F45? (FUN4JT)
FUN4JT & 360Lemans,
Thanks for the responses. I'm looking forward to trying this out! :yesnod: My other modes of transport are German (BMW, Porsche). I do agree that the F45 setup at high speeds would be scary in comparison. :eek:
Thanks for the responses. I'm looking forward to trying this out! :yesnod: My other modes of transport are German (BMW, Porsche). I do agree that the F45 setup at high speeds would be scary in comparison. :eek:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Replace springs on F45? (raygr)
I am using 850 lb springs from VB&P with T1 bars. I had them before I disabled my F45 and after. I disabled the F45 so I could use better shocks.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca 95131
Re: Replace springs on F45? (raygr)
Here's the vendor I purchased the Z06 springs from. Great price and service.
http://www.vetteexhaust.com/
JT
http://www.vetteexhaust.com/
JT
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Washington
Re: Replace springs on F45? (FUN4JT)
One concern I have is that the F45 shocks won't dampen enough for the stronger springs, which might result in a bouncy ride. What's your experience?
Got my springs on order....
Got my springs on order....
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee WI
Re: Replace springs on F45? (raygr)
Hey Guys,
I replaced my springs with the VBP composite springs and could not be happier. Paul at VBP came over to talk to me aat Chevy-VetteFest in Chicago in January and recommended that I install the Extreme rate spring in the front and the Sport one in the rear. The Extreme rate springs are the ones that are run on the Motorola Corvette and by other race teams (but not the Goodwrench C5Rs).
I did Road America in April and the car handled like it is glued to the track with my road race tires. As you can see by my signature I also have the Hotchkiss swaybars and have had them on for some time now and liked that mod, but the VBP springs are a great mod and they work great with the F45.
I would seriously consider this mod instead of the Z06 springs.
I replaced my springs with the VBP composite springs and could not be happier. Paul at VBP came over to talk to me aat Chevy-VetteFest in Chicago in January and recommended that I install the Extreme rate spring in the front and the Sport one in the rear. The Extreme rate springs are the ones that are run on the Motorola Corvette and by other race teams (but not the Goodwrench C5Rs).
I did Road America in April and the car handled like it is glued to the track with my road race tires. As you can see by my signature I also have the Hotchkiss swaybars and have had them on for some time now and liked that mod, but the VBP springs are a great mod and they work great with the F45.
I would seriously consider this mod instead of the Z06 springs.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, Ca 95131
Re: Replace springs on F45? (raygr)
My car's lowered and I went with the Z06 springs to eliminate the bounce with
the F45 springs. Works well with good compression and rebound dampning.
Much better ride and control. :D
JT
the F45 springs. Works well with good compression and rebound dampning.
Much better ride and control. :D
JT
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: Boone, NC
Re: Replace springs on F45? (thekev_2000)
Can you give a link for us?
VV
VV
Hey Guys,
I replaced my springs with the VBP composite springs and could not be happier. Paul at VBP came over to talk to me aat Chevy-VetteFest in Chicago in January and recommended that I install the Extreme rate spring in the front and the Sport one in the rear. The Extreme rate springs are the ones that are run on the Motorola Corvette and by other race teams (but not the Goodwrench C5Rs).
I did Road America in April and the car handled like it is glued to the track with my road race tires. As you can see by my signature I also have the Hotchkiss swaybars and have had them on for some time now and liked that mod, but the VBP springs are a great mod and they work great with the F45.
I would seriously consider this mod instead of the Z06 springs.
I replaced my springs with the VBP composite springs and could not be happier. Paul at VBP came over to talk to me aat Chevy-VetteFest in Chicago in January and recommended that I install the Extreme rate spring in the front and the Sport one in the rear. The Extreme rate springs are the ones that are run on the Motorola Corvette and by other race teams (but not the Goodwrench C5Rs).
I did Road America in April and the car handled like it is glued to the track with my road race tires. As you can see by my signature I also have the Hotchkiss swaybars and have had them on for some time now and liked that mod, but the VBP springs are a great mod and they work great with the F45.
I would seriously consider this mod instead of the Z06 springs.
