Coil-over conversion question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Coil-over conversion question
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!
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!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 1
From: Union KY
Coil over thoughts
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
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
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,159
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by yellow01
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!
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!
almost 60k mi, no issues
Here is their product sheet for the C5 Coil over suspension, I hope this helps
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
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!
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!
Last edited by yellow01; Jul 23, 2004 at 10:59 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Cologne Germany
Originally Posted by cire96
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.
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.
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
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
Cire
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: Nashville TN
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. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 0
From: Fly Over State
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by cfi_luz
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 
).
).
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,159
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
Originally Posted by BillY2KFRC
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.
Thank you.
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
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Cologne Germany
Originally Posted by ALLKAR
I went with Custom 2" under Bilsteins from WCC.
Till