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Another coil-over question

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Old May 24, 2003 | 03:08 PM
  #1  
c5freak's Avatar
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Default Another coil-over question

I'm thinking about installing 4 wheel coil-overs on my '99 vert. Can't seem to find a good selection of them anywhere.
Some think the LG Motorsports are good. Some mention Bilsteins.
I can't seem to find a site or a vendor that carries them for C5's.
Can anybody help me out, please.
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Old May 24, 2003 | 03:17 PM
  #2  
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (c5freak)

You will find the best at DRM http://www.dougrippie.com They have a special DRM valving setting for roadracing. I used them for two racing seasons and they work as good as they possible can without being adjustable. I moved on to Ohlins adjustable last year but my car is 80% at track 20 on the street.

Make sure you get a good spring setup. I've seen several posts on the forum about the cheap camaro/pontiac style coilovers with mounting hardware for the C5 and very strange spring selections. I'm using 600lbs springs in the rear and 450lbs in front.

Good luck with your selection.

:cheers:


[Modified by seanr, 9:18 PM 5/24/2003]
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Old May 24, 2003 | 09:43 PM
  #3  
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (seanr)

You will find the best at DRM http://www.dougrippie.com They have a special DRM valving setting for roadracing. I used them for two racing seasons and they work as good as they possible can without being adjustable. I moved on to Ohlins adjustable last year but my car is 80% at track 20 on the street.

Make sure you get a good spring setup. I've seen several posts on the forum about the cheap camaro/pontiac style coilovers with mounting hardware for the C5 and very strange spring selections. I'm using 600lbs springs in the rear and 450lbs in front.

Good luck with your selection.

:cheers:


[Modified by seanr, 9:18 PM 5/24/2003]
:iagree:

Buy from an experienced road race Vendor
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Old May 25, 2003 | 02:49 AM
  #4  
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (seanr)

Seanr,
We sell Ohlins (mostly to circle track guys) and I haven't been able to find C5 set up in their catalogue. Can you give me a part number for front and rears, or is there some special adapting that you have had success with. Do you have a picture?

As far as springs, 450s and 600s, wow I'm guessing that isn't quite the "Cadilac Ride" :lol:

We started there, but now are mostly using 400 front and 550s in the rear. We are going to try bigger sway bars and softer springs the next time we go to the track and see if it is better or worse. Sears Point has some bumps in two of the real high speed turns and I found a bit more speed by droping 50lbs off of the spring rate. I'm already pretty sure that the 350-375s front and 500s in the rear will be too soft, but springs don't cost that much and I'd like to find out first hand if they are better or worse. I know the guys that mostly drive the cars on the street and occationally track the car have grumbled (actually their wives grumbled) a bit over ride quality loss with the stiffer springs.
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Old May 25, 2003 | 03:56 AM
  #5  
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (C5stein)

C5stein,

You are correct, Ohlins do not have a 'ready to use' kit for the C5. The mounting brackets are custom made and the coilovers are the Ohlins 46HRC with Hyperco springs.

In front I have a spherical joint at the top and a spherical joint to the control arm. In the rear I have a spherical joint in the top and a big 'fork' to the control arm. I will shoot some pics next week and post.

About the springrate, I had 600/425 in the beginning which is the setup DRM have found works best most of the time when used with T1 swaybars. I changed the fronts to 450 and found a little more control in my driving. The pro's I've seen have a lot of springs to swap between at the track, like everything else on racecar no setup fits all tracks.

:cheers:



[Modified by seanr, 10:07 AM 5/25/2003]
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Old May 27, 2003 | 03:59 PM
  #6  
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (seanr)

Seanr,
Thanks, I look forward to seeing the pics.
My fabricator says that he can weld mounts to the lower rear control arm, and I know that he has the skill to do it without problem, but there are alot of guys out there that would just :U .

Plus it would be a PITA to have to ship A-arms back and forth.

Thanks
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Old May 27, 2003 | 08:44 PM
  #7  
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (C5stein)

Pics, pics, please. :smash:
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Old May 27, 2003 | 09:06 PM
  #8  
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From: San Leandro California
Default Re: Another coil-over question (John Shiels)

You will find the best at DRM http://www.dougrippie.com They have a special DRM valving setting for roadracing. I used them for two racing seasons and they work as good as they possible can without being adjustable. I moved on to Ohlins adjustable last year but my car is 80% at track 20 on the street.

Make sure you get a good spring setup. I've seen several posts on the forum about the cheap camaro/pontiac style coilovers with mounting hardware for the C5 and very strange spring selections. I'm using 600lbs springs in the rear and 450lbs in front.

Good luck with your selection.

:cheers:


[Modified by seanr, 9:18 PM 5/24/2003] :iagree:

Buy from an experienced road race Vendor
:iagree:

DRM - best way to go (IMO).

:cheers:
Reply
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Old May 28, 2003 | 01:57 AM
  #9  
intel55's Avatar
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (seanr)

In front I have a spherical joint at the top and a spherical joint to the control arm. In the rear I have a spherical joint in the top and a big 'fork' to the control arm. I will shoot some pics next week and post.
yes yes pics please :D :thumbs:
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Old May 28, 2003 | 11:14 AM
  #10  
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (intel55)

We use Bilstein shocks, and make our own brackets to adapt to the C5. We used this set up on the World Challenge C5 that we built for a customer, plus there is another C5 in the world Challenge using this package.

The valving is custom and it is what we found to be the best comprimise when we tested these at a couple of different race tracks. Years ago, when I was racing open wheel cars, we had the choice of Bilsteins or Adjustable Koni shocks. The bilstein shocks were 95% good on all tracks. The Koni would allow the adjustments to get closer to optimum. But in many cases, the Koni users would adjust themselves out of the ball park, and be less effective than the bilsteins.

At any rate, we can supply our coil over kit with any shock that you want. From Penske to whatever. Our bolt on brackets will allow us to use any shock in any combination.

We even offer a QA-1 adjustable drag shock as an option.

Thanks

Lou Gigliotti LGM

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Old May 28, 2003 | 06:34 PM
  #11  
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Default Re: Another coil-over question (LG Motorsports)

Nice Lou :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
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