I'm not much on suspension stuff so I have a few questions -

What are the major advantages of a coil-over suspension vs. the single cross mounted spring?

Any disadvantages?

Also, with the conversion kits out there - are there places to mount them to the frame or is welding/fab required?

Many thanks!

 

Aside from bragging purposes, coil overs save a bit of weight and some theorize that coilovers deliver a more constant spring rate as they are compressed.

The real advantage conserns two things..first, you can change springs (for different spring rates) very easily and you can fairly easily adjust ride height on the fly - affecting (for good or bad) the geometry of the alignment.

As one who drives a coil over C5, it's very dependable on the track, and handles wonderfully. On the street, the telegraphing of road noise is well above the stock transversly mounted Corvette spring.
Cire

 

Plus you can adjust height and it'll allow you to run 18X12 wheel if you decided to minitub your car.

 

You can SLAM It!!!
It handles great!!!!

and what everyone said above.
Oh, they are a bolt in.

 

While not on a C5, I have a Callaway SuperNatural Corvette with their Coilovers since new - they provide great feedback over a transverse sprung Vette - you do not have "side to side chatter" if you hit a rut or bump as each corner rides on its own...

almost 60k mi, no issues

Here is their product sheet for the C5 Coil over suspension, I hope this helps

 

Cool guys! Thanks for the replies!

The adjustability sounds great - but intimidating.

Is the adjustability just FINE TUNING or is it something you could really dork up if you don't know (read - will I dork it up )?

Thanks again!

 

ALLKAR is a lowering pimp!

 

Get them new wheels yet?????

 

Got em, and they look sick. I've tried to change my sig three times but it wont save. As soon as I can get some pics I will post.

 

That Callaway setup looks really nice. Pricey though. Anybody ever use it? Any thoughts on how it may compare to the LG coilover setup or the DRM coilovers?

Thank you.

 

Allkar, I was just wondering who's setup you went with? I've been wanting to do coilovers for awhile as I like my car very low also (and the added handling would be ok too ).

 

I wonder if they really weigh less. In any case, the unsprung weight is probably lower with the leaf springs.
I don't know how the spring rates of the leaf springs change with compression, but with coils there are two options:
- constant (just the regular spring)
- progressive (spring rate increases with compression)
Progressive spring rates allow a softer sprung ride for most situations, while giving increased spring rates before the suspension bottoms out. I haven't experimented with progressive springs yet.

Those two are the real advantages. A coil spring is $40-$60, a T1 spring is about $1000. So if you get T1 springs front and rear, and then don't like, you are already $2000 down.

The amount of road noise and vibrations also depends on the spring rates, and how the shocks are mounted. With the stock rubber mountings, there shouldn't be too much of a difference.
I have replaced the rubber with mono ball joints, but I am very happy with the ride.
The handling is excellent, which may also be attributed to the Penske shocks.

If you are not interested in playing around with the settings, and don't want to get adjustable shocks, you may be better off with leaf springs. Many users report excellent results with leaf springs in the roadracing section.

Till

 

My understanding is that coil-overs actually do weigh a little more -- and if you think about it why wouldn't they?? Also, a high quality installation requires reinforcement of the upper mount. All I have read points to adjustability as the only real benefit.

 

Call LGM or DRM I have Vette Brake Springs and the car sticks like glue. They don't offer the ease of changings spring rate easily. The car is great at the track events for sure.

 

I went with Custom 2" under Bilsteins from WCC.

 

I have their Coilover setup on my 93 SuperNatural with no issues
It was not yet installed on the Callaway Z06 I drove last month, It was used on the Callaway C12's with a similar design - VERY nice piece for sure

 

The shocks should be upside down, to reduce unsprung weight. All Bilstein shocks suitable for coil overs can be mounted upside down.

Till