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C6 Chassis Question

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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:00 PM
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Default C6 Chassis Question

Hello All, I'm a potential new Corvette Man after many disappointments with very dated SVT technology and designs; the latest Shelby GT500 especially!

The only question I have about non-hardtop Corvettes is regarding the chassis rigidity, specifically, the C6 Coupe. How does the chassis stiffness compare to fixed roof M3s and 911s? With the Corvette's targa roof, how stiff can the chassis really be? It's not much different than a convertible?

Any help is appreciated.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:21 PM
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First item...the C6 was designed as a vert and a coupe...not the typical coupe them remove top and stiffen things up. The hydoformed chassis rail system was exceedingly rigid and stiff to begin with and the C6 frame became shorter, lighter and in some components thicker thus increasing it strength & stiffness. Not many cars out there can match it in this area and pray this never happens but if I were in an accident give me the C6 over a Stang and its unibody any day.
Michael
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 02:58 PM
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The C6 is probably the stiffest open-top retail vehicle available.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 03:19 PM
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Default Question: Chassis Rigidity

Answer: Abs of Aluminum by Elite Eng
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 04:18 PM
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Originally Posted by JFTaylor
Answer: Abs of Aluminum by Elite Eng
www.eliteengineeringusa.com a supporting vendor

I put this on when I changed out the exhaust system two weeks ago. It decreased the amount of flex by 90%, guesstamation. Just a whole lot less creaks and that made me happy.
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by JFTaylor
Answer: Abs of Aluminum by Elite Eng
www.eliteengineeringusa.com a supporting vendor
Link does not work?
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by dr.david
I put this on when I changed out the exhaust system two weeks ago. It decreased the amount of flex by 90%, guesstamation. Just a whole lot less creaks and that made me happy.
I'm glad you put 'guesstimation' in there
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 08:25 PM
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I too was concerned about this. I had never owned a Corbvette and never wanted one becuse of their poor reputation, including the issue of squeeks, rattles, etc. As your know chassis ridgitity is key. I have not seen figures for the C6 but now that I have one, I can assure you that the Coupe is quite stiff. My other cars are a 545i and a C55 AMG. The C6 seems as good as these cars. Absolutely no squeeks or rattles.

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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by TEAShea
I too was concerned about this. I had never owned a Corbvette and never wanted one becuse of their poor reputation, including the issue of squeeks, rattles, etc. As your know chassis ridgitity is key. I have not seen figures for the C6 but now that I have one, I can assure you that the Coupe is quite stiff. My other cars are a 545i and a C55 AMG. The C6 seems as good as these cars. Absolutely no squeeks or rattles.

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Corbvette is a special model ?
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Old Mar 28, 2005 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by jjraiser
Hello All, I'm a potential new Corvette Man after many disappointments with very dated SVT technology and designs; the latest Shelby GT500 especially!

The only question I have about non-hardtop Corvettes is regarding the chassis rigidity, specifically, the C6 Coupe. How does the chassis stiffness compare to fixed roof M3s and 911s? With the Corvette's targa roof, how stiff can the chassis really be? It's not much different than a convertible?

Any help is appreciated.
GM has not make public the C6 rigidity levels yet....

In case of the Porsche 997 they said that torsional rigidity is up by about 8% in comparison with the 996.....

I would expect the C6 rigidity to be at or near 997 levels and superior to the dated M3.....
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by yellow01
I'm glad you put 'guesstimation' in there

I didn't feel like wearing my a** for a hat yesterday. You know someone would have wanted my factsheet proving my numbers.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by dr.david
I didn't feel like wearing my a** for a hat yesterday. You know someone would have wanted my factsheet proving my numbers.
I almost replied to it.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:47 AM
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I like your new avatar Scissors. Very creative.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by dr.david
I put this on when I changed out the exhaust system two weeks ago. It decreased the amount of flex by 90%, guesstamation. Just a whole lot less creaks and that made me happy.
Thanks Doc. Doing it with my exhaust change as well.

I have the 1/4 ceramic coated plate. Which did you install??
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by dr.david
I like your new avatar Scissors. Very creative.
Gracias.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by JFTaylor
Thanks Doc. Doing it with my exhaust change as well.

I have the 1/4 ceramic coated plate. Which did you install??


I did the 3/8 coated to help reduce the heat from the tunnel area. You are going to be amazed on how stiffer the 1/4 is over the 1/16 inch aluminum tunnel cover from the factory.

Have fun with the exhaust changes. The shop where I had mine done had the complete system changed in 2 hours with a little talking going on. The stock system on the C6 is so much more easier to replace than the C5.

Just a small plug for Elite. The quality on the products that I've purchased are excellent. What I am impressed with the most is how fast they get the product to you and when I have ordered more from them they have always asked how the previous products are and how did they install. Good Guys over there.

Last edited by dr.david; Mar 29, 2005 at 10:26 AM.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 10:25 AM
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I just got my Elite cover in this week. I can't wait to see how it feels on the track.
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Old Mar 29, 2005 | 11:18 AM
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Thanks for the nice comments. As a previous member stated, Gm has not made the rigidity levels public for the C6. GM shortened the chassis which resulted in a more rigid frame than the C5. The original C6 tunnel plate is about 0.130” thick aluminum, it only makes sense that the chassis stiffness would improve with a thicker plate. We saw the biggest improvement on a convertible.

Last edited by Elite Engineering; Mar 29, 2005 at 11:24 AM.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Elite Engineering
Thanks for the nice comments. As a previous member stated, Gm has not made the rigidity levels public for the C6. GM shortened the chassis which resulted in a more rigid frame than the C5. The original C6 tunnel plate is about 0.130” thick aluminum, it only makes sense that the chassis stiffness would improve with a thicker plate. We saw the biggest improvement on a convertible.
Yes the chassis is shorter, but the wheelbase is longer. This decreases rigidity. It's likely that the improvements result in a stiffer chassis anyway, since the wheelbase is only longer by a few inches.
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Old Mar 31, 2005 | 01:31 AM
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Originally Posted by ttomczak
Link does not work?
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/
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