What I learned taking the GS to the Black Hills.
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
What I learned taking the GS to the Black Hills.
DAMN that car has a stiff suspension and ride! My roads around here must be better than I thought because scooting along I-90? It sucked. I'm going to have to research getting some much softer riding shocks than what I have now. Even a few of the roads in the state parks just shook the car terribly. Don't get me wrong, I loved how it carved up the corners but the overall ride for the 1600+ mile trip was.... tiring.
The following 2 users liked this post by Jamie Lennartson:
HecatesChild (09-22-2020),
ttpfi (09-22-2020)
#3
Racer
Yes the GS does have a “stiff” suspension most of us enjoy it. Short of changing Springs and shocks get used to it. You didn’t mention what tires you are running (run flats are a bit harsh) and maybe reduce air pressure a bit as well
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Dec 2012
Location: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
Posts: 30,426
Received 1,596 Likes
on
1,074 Posts
I just did a 700+ mile day on mostly B roads in my GS and loved every second of it. If you want a softer ride I suggest shopping at your local Buick dealer.
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I've got a '94 base so I'm somewhat used to harsher riding cars, but this got so bad at times I thought the HUD mirror was going to break. In fact I think the 94 might actually ride the same if not a bit softer.
#6
Are you using runflat tires? Has the car been lowered? Do you have F55 suspension option?
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Dec 2012
Location: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
Posts: 30,426
Received 1,596 Likes
on
1,074 Posts
What suspension does your 94 have ? I have an 89 that rides much harder than my GS.
#8
Safety Car
Member Since: Aug 2017
Location: Etobicoke (Toronto) Ontario
Posts: 3,983
Received 1,761 Likes
on
1,127 Posts
1600+? I did one of 6600+ 2 years ago in my GS, mostly 2 lane stuff, and at no time did I wish I was in my Caddy. I was already north of 70 at the time too. Yes, the stock suspension is firm, but I didn't then and don't now find the ride uncomfortable at all. I don't have the mag ride option either, and I'm riding on RFs. But I do get that everyone has differing tolerances and likes so I can see that some folks could find the suspension too stiff.
The following users liked this post:
iw172 (09-22-2020)
#9
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Apr 2018
Location: Auburn,WA (30 miles SE of Seattle) WA
Posts: 3,279
Received 936 Likes
on
600 Posts
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Anybody with BLACK HILLS Corvette Rally Experience...........can you recommend staying in Spearfish
OR Deadwood at Which Lodging.............Im cheap and frugal !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you participate in and enjoy which organized tour ????
Coming from WA state im not going too Sioux Falls to drive the extra 400 miles back to Spearfish.
Would you please message me???
Chuck S Auburn,WA
OR Deadwood at Which Lodging.............Im cheap and frugal !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you participate in and enjoy which organized tour ????
Coming from WA state im not going too Sioux Falls to drive the extra 400 miles back to Spearfish.
Would you please message me???
Chuck S Auburn,WA
#10
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
#11
Team Owner
Member Since: Dec 2012
Location: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
Posts: 30,426
Received 1,596 Likes
on
1,074 Posts
The runflats are a big part of your problem. As soon as I got rid of mine the ride quality was greatly improved.
#12
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jan 2017
Location: Diamondhead Mississippi
Posts: 960
Received 236 Likes
on
171 Posts
St. Jude Donor '17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I just did an approximately 2200 mile trip in June from the Mississippi coast to the North Carolina mountains and then across to Raleigh. On the way back home we took a lot of 2 lane roads through Georgia. I have a 2006 base convertible with BFG Sport Comp tires. I thought the car road very well. Its no caddy but I never expected that. I also have a C4, on 88 35th Anniversary model. The ride in the 88 is not even comparable to the 06. I am north of 70 also and have no complaints about the ride in the 06.
Get rid of those run flats and I suspect you will find a big difference in the ride.
Get rid of those run flats and I suspect you will find a big difference in the ride.
#13
Le Mans Master
After I upgraded the suspension and driveline on my Z06 (DRM Bilsteins, urethane bushings, couplers and motor mounts), it was definitely worse than what you're experiencing if you can imagine. Car handled great, but on a 200 mile drive to Louisiana, it was fine for me, but my passenger complained that it was the harshest riding car he'd ever been in. And he was in his seventies! I'm loving the mag ride on the ZR1 and can't wait for the Jim Mero upgrade.
#14
Race Director
I just drove mine from NC to FL and crossed through the off road park known as SC roads. I thought my car was super comfortable. I'd say your run flats are the problem, I'm on non run flat Hankooks.
My c4, it is not comfortable, but it's suspension is very, very stiff. It actually rides better after adjusting the koni shocks to be a bit stiffer, the owner who installed them had them at their softest setting which didn't really control the chassis movement enough. Its gonna be fun adjusting the rear shocks... Not really.
My c4, it is not comfortable, but it's suspension is very, very stiff. It actually rides better after adjusting the koni shocks to be a bit stiffer, the owner who installed them had them at their softest setting which didn't really control the chassis movement enough. Its gonna be fun adjusting the rear shocks... Not really.
#15
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: Retired early,everyday is Saturday...Hocking Hills Ohio
Posts: 1,803
Received 136 Likes
on
107 Posts
I just drove mine from NC to FL and crossed through the off road park known as SC roads. I thought my car was super comfortable. I'd say your run flats are the problem, I'm on non run flat Hankooks.
My c4, it is not comfortable, but it's suspension is very, very stiff. It actually rides better after adjusting the koni shocks to be a bit stiffer, the owner who installed them had them at their softest setting which didn't really control the chassis movement enough. Its gonna be fun adjusting the rear shocks... Not really.
My c4, it is not comfortable, but it's suspension is very, very stiff. It actually rides better after adjusting the koni shocks to be a bit stiffer, the owner who installed them had them at their softest setting which didn't really control the chassis movement enough. Its gonna be fun adjusting the rear shocks... Not really.
#16
Race Director
Pro Mechanic
Member Since: Apr 2014
Location: Washington Township Michigan
Posts: 14,516
Received 3,935 Likes
on
2,466 Posts
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Anybody with BLACK HILLS Corvette Rally Experience...........can you recommend staying in Spearfish
OR Deadwood at Which Lodging.............Im cheap and frugal !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you participate in and enjoy which organized tour ????
Coming from WA state im not going too Sioux Falls to drive the extra 400 miles back to Spearfish.
Would you please message me???
Chuck S Auburn,WA
OR Deadwood at Which Lodging.............Im cheap and frugal !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you participate in and enjoy which organized tour ????
Coming from WA state im not going too Sioux Falls to drive the extra 400 miles back to Spearfish.
Would you please message me???
Chuck S Auburn,WA
#17
PM sent.
#18
Race Director
Is the ride on the local roads it's used as harsh?
If not then this was due to lousy roads where you were & no more.
As above poster stated a chassis in full contact w/ roadway delivers feedback, often is stiff.
Many love it, I sure do my Z06, a wide track tuned chassis is as Corvette as it gets.
Now if said roadway's a washboard, well...it's a bumpy ride.
In '06 when Z06 appeared many old-timer members had the dough to swing one.
Several were so disappointed w/ ride they flipped soon after purchase, simply couldn't live w/ it.
Others toyed w/ replacing stock shocks w/ much softer versions.
So great handling/control w/ occasional harshness or softer ride w/ compromised handling.
Choose your poison.