C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Coil Overs....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 02:14 PM
  #1  
C5EVIL's Avatar
C5EVIL
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: More Boost, Egor
Default Coil Overs....

Has anyone installed a Coil-Over conversion kit on their C5? Particularly the Mid-America one? If so, is it any good?

Are there any other coil-over alternatives to the Mid-America kit?

Thanks in advance for any info.

:cheers:
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 02:50 PM
  #2  
vette.se's Avatar
vette.se
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 1
From: Stockholm
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

Check out the LGM's, their setup is the best you can get. They have heim-joints in top and bottom so you get rid of the bushings that break all the time on all other setups and at the same time gives you a much better feel of your car - it's a real racecar setup! You can find LGM at http://www.lgmotorsports.com

I'm using a similar setup but it's a Ohlins setup and that is a completely different story :D

:cheers:


[Modified by vette.se, 8:50 AM 10/9/2003]
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 03:16 PM
  #3  
C5EVIL's Avatar
C5EVIL
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: More Boost, Egor
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (vette.se)

The coilovers by LG allow me to do away with the leaf-springs, right?

What is the difference between the LG one and the set-up you're using? I really do NEED to perfect the handling of my car - if I can't get it set up so that it's 100% (sometimes I'm scared the backend is gonna kick out and kill me!), as if I can't, I may have to say "bye bye" to my vette....

Any info, as always, much appreciated.

:cheers:
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 03:38 PM
  #4  
vette.se's Avatar
vette.se
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 1
From: Stockholm
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

Yes you remove the leafsprings with LGM's setup and all other brands of coilovers as well.

My setup have similar heim-joints in the top and bottom but are built around Ohlins 46HRC 2-way adjustable(compress and rebound) coilover. This setup is special built for my car so you can not buy it as a 'kit' from Ohlins. I make them on special order at $5900 and they can be found in my webshop but they are overkill if your not serious into roadracing.


:cheers:
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 04:21 PM
  #5  
C5EVIL's Avatar
C5EVIL
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: More Boost, Egor
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (vette.se)

OK, that sounds good - on one of my previous cars (VW New Beetle) I had coil-overs installed - I expect I'll see an even more dramatic improvement in handling than I did in my bug, correct?

My car seems to suffer from body-roll and a very twitchy back end - as you can see from my list of current mods, I have attempted to fix this, but without the required amount of success (it has improved, but not enough) - in your opinion, will the coil-over conversion fix this?

:cheers:
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 05:03 PM
  #6  
boblackhardtop's Avatar
boblackhardtop
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 1
From: kansas city MO
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

Just got me some DRM- Doug Rippie Motorsport coilovers installed...In a word awsome ! These have polyurethane mount except at the lower front mount where hemispherical bearing are used. Everything feel crisper/ sharper, I now take exit ramp at twice the speed I used to take w/ the stock Z51 suspension and feel more confident doing so. Ride is not bad at all, better than the stock setup w/ the EMT. (I have pilot sport now.)
If you want the ultimate the LG is it. I got my DRM from a forum member at a discounted price otherwise I would have gone w/ the LG.
Stay w/ the DRM or the LG these have the Bilsteen sport w/ heavy duty threaded aluminum shock body. You can also choose spring rate to fit your need.


[Modified by boblackhardtop, 7:10 PM 10/8/2003]
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 05:54 PM
  #7  
C5EVIL's Avatar
C5EVIL
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: More Boost, Egor
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

Anyone else?
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 06:12 PM
  #8  
Redline Motorsports's Avatar
Redline Motorsports
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,034
Likes: 125
From: NY-South Florida
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

I got a set from Lou a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully I will get tothem in the next week. All I can say is that they are a NICE piece of work. If they work half as good as they look road racing will be a whole new experience! :yesnod:
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 06:25 PM
  #9  
SvenOdin's Avatar
SvenOdin
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (9D9LS1)

I plan on purchashing Lou's suspension.

I had the opportunity to go for a ride in Lou's FRC when I dropped off and picked-up my car back in Aug. The first comment/observation out of mouth was , "What suspension are you running??"




[Modified by SvenOdin, 5:26 PM 10/8/2003]
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2003 | 06:30 PM
  #10  
Mitch Alsup's Avatar
Mitch Alsup
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

OK, that sounds good - on one of my previous cars (VW New Beetle) I had coil-overs installed - I expect I'll see an even more dramatic improvement in handling than I did in my bug, correct?

My car seems to suffer from body-roll and a very twitchy back end - as you can see from my list of current mods, I have attempted to fix this, but without the required amount of success (it has improved, but not enough) - in your opinion, will the coil-over conversion fix this?

:cheers:
If you are talking about pure cornering (twitchy rear end) using maintanence throttle, then
A) you can try to adjust the air pressures of the rear tires (probably more pressure)
B) you can stiffen the front end with more roll bar
C) you can raise the front or lower the rear (a little--like 0.1") to find the balance point the current spring/rollbar package wants. Lookup "roll couple distribution"

If you are talking about accelerative cornering (70%+ throttle) then you need to be looking for more grip at the rear:
A) wider tires in rear
B) stickier tires in rear
C) more front roll bar
D) roll couple distribution adjustment

Be sure to get the tires fully up to temperature (180dF-200dF) before making critical balance changes to the car. A pyrometer and a race track will help you get into the right ballpark.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2003 | 02:55 AM
  #11  
vette.se's Avatar
vette.se
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 1
From: Stockholm
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

You already have a lot of good answers so I just wanted to add that in my opinion the Z06 bars are to soft.

I'm using GM T1 bars front/rear and 475lbs springs in front and 600lbs springs in rear with my coilovers. This is on DRM's recommendation.

I had the DRM coilovers with the above swaybar/coils before I changed to the Ohlins and I agree with boblack, they are awesome. The only problem I had with the DRM's is that the top bushing tends to brake at hard use. Going with the LG's or similar with heim-joints you get rid of this problem.

:cheers:



[Modified by vette.se, 8:59 AM 10/9/2003]
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2003 | 06:05 PM
  #12  
John Shiels's Avatar
John Shiels
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

LG's :thumbs:
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2003 | 03:42 PM
  #13  
C5EVIL's Avatar
C5EVIL
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: More Boost, Egor
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

Just another thing - when installing coil-overs, do I need to remove the leaf springs, or do they just stay in place?

If so, how difficult are they to remove?

:cheers:
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2003 | 05:02 PM
  #14  
C5EVIL's Avatar
C5EVIL
Thread Starter
Racer
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: More Boost, Egor
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

Anyone?
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2003 | 10:32 PM
  #15  
boblackhardtop's Avatar
boblackhardtop
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 1
From: kansas city MO
Default Re: Coil Overs.... (C5EVIL)

Takes about 2-2.5 hrs to swap w/ a lift, take out stock leaf spring & shocks and bolt back the coilovers. The rear leaf spring drop right off, the front may take a little wigling to get it out. Straightfoward.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Coil Overs....





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:15 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE