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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 12:19 PM
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Default Composite spring

Anyone have an opinon on rear composite spring as to a better ride with say 400lb. or 200lb. Thanks GUYS.
ACESONE
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 01:45 PM
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What do you mean by 'better ride'? More soft, more firm, more responsive, or ????
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Old Sep 16, 2011 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by designerRob
What do you mean by 'better ride'? More soft, more firm, more responsive, or ????
Softer
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 11:48 AM
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Tns all Rich
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 12:11 PM
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The Z51 rear spring is the softest, lowest spring rate.
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by cclive
The Z51 rear spring is the softest, lowest spring rate.
no way, base model spring is the softest.
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 09:59 PM
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when it comes to composite springs, I think you'd be hard pressed to beat factory applications in overall utility and compromise given the nature of the technology. Over thinking this is a waste of resources, IMHO. If the base coupe rates don't work, then I would think basic shock changes or even coil-overs would be a better avenue.

For comfort and compliance? Base coupe.

Hard, fast and responsive? Z06.
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by speedraider
no way, base model spring is the softest.
In the front, yes, but in the rear, the base is slightly stiffer than the Z51...I don't have the chart, but it is on the forum, one of our members will post it up.
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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 11:34 PM
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It doesn't include the ZR1 or Grand Sport but here's a chart that may help:

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Old Dec 1, 2011 | 11:35 PM
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Thank you Wayne...that's the one!
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Old Dec 3, 2011 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Acesone
Anyone have an opinon on rear composite spring as to a better ride with say 400lb. or 200lb. Thanks GUYS.
ACESONE
Tnks All!!
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Old Dec 3, 2011 | 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by cclive
In the front, yes, but in the rear, the base is slightly stiffer than the Z51...I don't have the chart, but it is on the forum, one of our members will post it up.
My car with the z51 still is alot stiffer ride than my base car
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Old Dec 3, 2011 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by speedraider
My car with the z51 still is alot stiffer ride than my base car
I replaced the factory Z51 shocks on our 2009 (Z51) with base model shocks, kept the Z51 springs and sways.

Ride is much improved, handling declined only a small amount.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 09:31 PM
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Originally Posted by cclive
The Z51 rear spring is the softest, lowest spring rate.
Originally Posted by speedraider
no way, base model spring is the softest.
Per chart, the Z51 rear spring is the softest with rate of 645lb compared to 657lb for the Base. Guess what speedraider, your wrong, sorry!

Ps: This cofirms my chart to Wayne O.

Last edited by 2006c6keller; Dec 4, 2011 at 09:36 PM.
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by speedraider
My car with the z51 still is alot stiffer ride than my base car
Do you think maybe the shocks and/or sway bars have anything to do with that
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Old Dec 4, 2011 | 11:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 2006c6keller
Per chart, the Z51 rear spring is the softest with rate of 645lb compared to 657lb for the Base. Guess what speedraider, your wrong, sorry!

Ps: This cofirms my chart to Wayne O.
Well technically they are both correct. The Z51 spring is softest in the rear while the base spring has the softest rating in the front (and overall).
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Old Dec 7, 2011 | 06:52 PM
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A lot of your ride quality is going to be dictated by the shocks rather than purely spring rate. If you drove one car equipped with a base spring package and another equipped with Z51 springs you would be extremely hard pressed to tell the difference between the two cars if they were running the same shocks. Sway bars play a little bit in the overall equation as well, but if you're looking for absolute 100% ride quality and can live with the handling compromises one of the base shock packages will be your best best.

Personally we love driving our Corvettes for what they are, sports cars! Our Johnny O'Connell package was designed as an OEM style shock and sway bar package upgrade that works great right out of the box. That being said they are a performance upgrade and will ride a little stiffer over small road irregularities than the Z51 or Z06 packages... but they will but a much bigger smile on your face once you take your car on it's first Canyon run, Autox or Track day!

Last edited by Pfadt Racing; Dec 7, 2011 at 06:54 PM.
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