Variable height suspension...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco California
Variable height suspension...
I really want to get a Vette, but live in SFO and have a driveway that is on a slope that is not particularly corvette friendly. Am pretty sure a C6 wont get up/down as is. Anyone installed anything to allow the suspension height to be adujusted for speed bumps or something like this? maybe someone on here has done this already...
I found this on the web which looks like one option. Any comments/alternatives? Should I believe it when it says "In the collapsed state(set ride height) this device will not affect the handling of your vehicle whatsoever as it acts merely as a metal spacer."
http://www.umbrellaautodesign.com/co...ed_design.html
Thanks,
Nick
I found this on the web which looks like one option. Any comments/alternatives? Should I believe it when it says "In the collapsed state(set ride height) this device will not affect the handling of your vehicle whatsoever as it acts merely as a metal spacer."
http://www.umbrellaautodesign.com/co...ed_design.html
Thanks,
Nick
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Hmmm, it says it fits the Corvette C7, but the C7 doesn't exist yet. It also claims to work with coilover suspensions. But Corvettes that actually exist use transverse leaf spring suspensions. However, one advantage of the transverse leaf suspension is that it has screw adjusters which allow you to raise or lower the car with a wrench. If you wanted to adjust on the go, ala lowriders, you could replace the manual screw with an electric driven screwjack. Then you could touch a button in the car and change the ride height at will. Any shop that does lowrider conversions should be able to fix you right up, shouldn't cost $2100 either.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco California
I saw the C7 claim and did wonder... That's useful info. So do all C6 Vetts have transverse leaf spring suspensions? How high much higher than normal could I get the suspension this way. have to get down an aprox 15degree slope which flattens out at both ends. Guess the real problem will be the front.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
I saw the C7 claim and did wonder... That's useful info. So do all C6 Vetts have transverse leaf spring suspensions? How high much higher than normal could I get the suspension this way. have to get down an aprox 15degree slope which flattens out at both ends. Guess the real problem will be the front.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I really want to get a Vette, but live in SFO and have a driveway that is on a slope that is not particularly corvette friendly. Am pretty sure a C6 wont get up/down as is. Anyone installed anything to allow the suspension height to be adujusted for speed bumps or something like this? maybe someone on here has done this already...
I found this on the web which looks like one option. Any comments/alternatives? Should I believe it when it says "In the collapsed state(set ride height) this device will not affect the handling of your vehicle whatsoever as it acts merely as a metal spacer."
http://www.umbrellaautodesign.com/co...ed_design.html
Thanks,
Nick
I found this on the web which looks like one option. Any comments/alternatives? Should I believe it when it says "In the collapsed state(set ride height) this device will not affect the handling of your vehicle whatsoever as it acts merely as a metal spacer."
http://www.umbrellaautodesign.com/co...ed_design.html
Thanks,
Nick
Hi Guys I saw this post and felt it necessary to clarify on a few aspects of my VRH kit. As I am not a vendor on your forum yet I will make this explanation of my system brief, and send a message to the mods now for vendor application.
Please excuse the typo referring to C7, it should have read C6
Yes we are aware that the Corvette uses a transverse composite leaf spring, the VRH kit will only work in conjunction with an aftermarket coilover suspension system.
In regards to the VRH system changing the way your car handles, the system is pneumatic in function, however you are only riding on air when you are driving in the raised position(driveways, speedbumps etc)
for normal driving you are riding on the cars original suspension and nothing else. There are not any rubber bellows, or hydraulic pistons present in this system. Our lineup now includes applications for Carrera GT and Saleen S7 as well.
To be clear, the VRH kit will not change the handling of your vehicle whatsoever.
Thanks
Ravi
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
So, just to be clear, this air lift kit only works on Corvettes whose suspensions have already been radically and completely changed from the factory configuration. Ok, some people have done that. It is expensive, more than $2,000, voids warranty, etc, but assuming that's done then the air lift kit can be added for another $2100. Or, one could buy and install $4 worth of longer trim height adjuster bolts.
Ok, let me do the math now. Hmmm, that's a cost savings of at least $4,096.
To be fair, to get adjustability from the driver's seat, you'd need electric screwjacks instead of just longer bolts. Those cost roughly $200 each, and you'd need 4, so $800, plus some shop fabrication time. Lets be generous and say another $800 for labor, bringing us to a total of $1600. That's still $2500 less than the coilover conversion and air lift installation.
Ok, let me do the math now. Hmmm, that's a cost savings of at least $4,096.
To be fair, to get adjustability from the driver's seat, you'd need electric screwjacks instead of just longer bolts. Those cost roughly $200 each, and you'd need 4, so $800, plus some shop fabrication time. Lets be generous and say another $800 for labor, bringing us to a total of $1600. That's still $2500 less than the coilover conversion and air lift installation.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco California
To be fair, to get adjustability from the driver's seat, you'd need electric screwjacks instead of just longer bolts. Those cost roughly $200 each, and you'd need 4, so $800, plus some shop fabrication time. Lets be generous and say another $800 for labor, bringing us to a total of $1600. That's still $2500 less than the coilover conversion and air lift installation.
Thanks,
Nick
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Think I've decided to get a Z06, (whether or not it'll fit in the garage!) and if I can get away with simply raising it by 0.5-1in then I will probably do that. I hear that this wont affect the handling too much unless I'm going on a track. However, otherwise this sounds like a good plan. You mentioned shops that do lowrider conversions. Any ideas where I could look for this kind of a place. (In case anyone in the bay areaa knows of one, let me know!). Could the average garage do this or do I need to go to a specialist?
Thanks,
Nick
Thanks,
Nick
The whole lowrider ethos came out of East Los Angeles. There should be a number of fabricators up and down the west coast who have the practical skills and experience to do this job.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Basingstoke England
Think I've decided to get a Z06, (whether or not it'll fit in the garage!) and if I can get away with simply raising it by 0.5-1in then I will probably do that. I hear that this wont affect the handling too much unless I'm going on a track. However, otherwise this sounds like a good plan. You mentioned shops that do lowrider conversions. Any ideas where I could look for this kind of a place. (In case anyone in the bay areaa knows of one, let me know!). Could the average garage do this or do I need to go to a specialist?
Thanks,
Nick
Thanks,
Nick
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco California
One thought: the Z06 has even less clearance at the front than a regular C6, so even cranking up the suspension may not be enough if your driveway is too steep. Worth checking if you can get a test drive near your house to be sure. (Having driven a Mustang around SFO and found some of the road transitions a little challenging, I don't envy you navigating them in a Vette!)
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 2
From: Traverse City MI
Think I've decided to get a Z06, (whether or not it'll fit in the garage!) and if I can get away with simply raising it by 0.5-1in then I will probably do that. I hear that this wont affect the handling too much unless I'm going on a track. However, otherwise this sounds like a good plan. You mentioned shops that do lowrider conversions. Any ideas where I could look for this kind of a place. (In case anyone in the bay areaa knows of one, let me know!). Could the average garage do this or do I need to go to a specialist?
Thanks,
Nick
Thanks,
Nick
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco California
No, sorry. I did buy a Corvette, but got a great deal on a new C6, so didn't get a Z06 in the end. Decided my 100mile round trip commute was probably suited to the quieter model, and I rather like the lift out roof 
. I bought an electronic spirit level and measured my driveway in detail, coming to the conclusion that it would be close. The first time I was pretty nervous, but it fits in with milliliters to spare. If I have anyone in the car who isn't as skinny as a supermodel, it usually scrapes, but on my own it's all good.
I guess you have a similar problem? If you do do anything like this, let us know how it goes! I'm house hunting again right now, and put an offer in on a place last month that's tighter still. It had <1mm clearance, and I'm waiting for the next one to be worse...
. I bought an electronic spirit level and measured my driveway in detail, coming to the conclusion that it would be close. The first time I was pretty nervous, but it fits in with milliliters to spare. If I have anyone in the car who isn't as skinny as a supermodel, it usually scrapes, but on my own it's all good. I guess you have a similar problem? If you do do anything like this, let us know how it goes! I'm house hunting again right now, and put an offer in on a place last month that's tighter still. It had <1mm clearance, and I'm waiting for the next one to be worse...