Suspension question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 26
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Suspension question
Being a newbie to the world of Corvette suspensions I was wondering if there was any forum wisdom about a good suspension setup. Coming from years of driving Subaru and Audi I'm somewhat surprised that there doesn't seem to be nearly as big of a suspension aftermarket for the C6. Ideally I'd love to be able to replace the somewhat sloppy at speed stock setup with a set of good OHLINS digressive dampers and matching springs. Essentially any ideas for a better then stock suspension setup for under $5K would be greatly appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,892
Likes: 107
From: God's Country, ID
OEM leaf springs are a pretty nice set-up for combined street/track application.
Bilstein and Koni make a non-adjustable shock and are a big improvement over the oem shock.
Coil-overs are avail from LG motorsport and a couple of other mfg's but are pretty harsh for the street.
Sway bar upgrades are available as well. Check with some of the vendors on this forum.
I'm not sure of an A-arm upgrade for the C6 as of yet.
An allignment from a reputable shop is money well spent as well. The factory allignment is know to be off.
You might check on the road race section for additional info regarding suspension upgrades.
Bilstein and Koni make a non-adjustable shock and are a big improvement over the oem shock.
Coil-overs are avail from LG motorsport and a couple of other mfg's but are pretty harsh for the street.
Sway bar upgrades are available as well. Check with some of the vendors on this forum.
I'm not sure of an A-arm upgrade for the C6 as of yet.
An allignment from a reputable shop is money well spent as well. The factory allignment is know to be off.
You might check on the road race section for additional info regarding suspension upgrades.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,534
Likes: 118
From: Columbia, SC
Originally Posted by C6BOOST
Being a newbie to the world of Corvette suspensions I was wondering if there was any forum wisdom about a good suspension setup. Coming from years of driving Subaru and Audi I'm somewhat surprised that there doesn't seem to be nearly as big of a suspension aftermarket for the C6. Ideally I'd love to be able to replace the somewhat sloppy at speed stock setup with a set of good OHLINS digressive dampers and matching springs. Essentially any ideas for a better then stock suspension setup for under $5K would be greatly appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,769
Likes: 0
From: SFV CA
Definitely a BIG improvement with the Hotchkis bars & Bilstein Sports, car feels much more planted on the ground with less rebound (on slammed cars) and the ride is stiffer but still tolerable. Alignment & corner weight balance is scheduled on Monday at Guldstrand. Watch out for the release of A&A Corvette's custom coilovers, I've tested them personally on a built 427 C5 with T1 bars...simply amazing!!!
Last edited by Brabus2; Jun 15, 2006 at 08:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 4
From: Crete IL
Originally Posted by C6BOOST
It's stock for now, but i'm actively looking for something better 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DSOMC6
OEM leaf springs are a pretty nice set-up for combined street/track application.
Bilstein and Koni make a non-adjustable shock and are a big improvement over the oem shock.
Coil-overs are avail from LG motorsport and a couple of other mfg's but are pretty harsh for the street.
Sway bar upgrades are available as well. Check with some of the vendors on this forum.
I'm not sure of an A-arm upgrade for the C6 as of yet.
An allignment from a reputable shop is money well spent as well. The factory allignment is know to be off.
You might check on the road race section for additional info regarding suspension upgrades.
Bilstein and Koni make a non-adjustable shock and are a big improvement over the oem shock.
Coil-overs are avail from LG motorsport and a couple of other mfg's but are pretty harsh for the street.
Sway bar upgrades are available as well. Check with some of the vendors on this forum.
I'm not sure of an A-arm upgrade for the C6 as of yet.
An allignment from a reputable shop is money well spent as well. The factory allignment is know to be off.
You might check on the road race section for additional info regarding suspension upgrades.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 26
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Originally Posted by rfopt
He's wondering if your car came with the base(standard) suspension, the optional Z51 package(which includes suspension tuning differences), or the F55 shock package.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,534
Likes: 118
From: Columbia, SC
Originally Posted by C6BOOST
It's non Z51.
Therein lies your problem. If you want to go around corners in a "spiritied" fashion, or do any trackdays, you need the Z51 suspension or equivalent.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2005
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Originally Posted by Minkster
Therein lies your problem. If you want to go around corners in a "spiritied" fashion, or do any trackdays, you need the Z51 suspension or equivalent.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by C6BOOST
You're right about needing a suspension upgrade. I wasn't happy with the setup when the car was stock, and now that the car is coming back with APS TT on it -- it will be downright inadequate. To be honest, i drove a z51 car when originally purchasing my C6. IMHO it was not a very significant improvement and therefore since i figured an aftermarket suspension will be necessary -- there was no point in spending money on the Z51 package.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,534
Likes: 118
From: Columbia, SC
Originally Posted by shopdog
The base springs have just the right rate for a car of this weight, the Z51 springs are too stiff. So you made a good choice there. But the shocks and sways are not adequate for spirited driving. The Z51 sways are actually very good for this car, unless you're going with larger and stickier tires, then you might want the Z06 rear sway instead to retain a good balance between oversteer and understeer. Good shocks will make a huge difference. The base Sachs shocks aren't very good, and the ones used on the Z51 or Z06 handling packages aren't much better. The ideal shock will properly damp the spring without overdamping. You want the car to be able to use the full compliance of the suspension without being harsh or jouncy. Bilstein shocks do this quite nicely under almost all driving conditions, though an adjustable shock you can tune to the particular track conditions of the day would be even better for a race car.
Can't say I share your opinion of the Z51 spring rate. I've had Z51 on a 2000 FRC and now a C6 and find it not to be overly stiff and very flat in corners on the road and track, especially during transitions (esses). A softer (base) spring will give you more body roll. Sway bars transfer the load from one wheel to the other side which is still working against the spring on that side. Putting bigger bars may lessen the roll, but you will still need stiffer springs to get it flat.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Malibu California
Originally Posted by C6BOOST
It's non Z51.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,534
Likes: 118
From: Columbia, SC
Originally Posted by scrannel
Look at it this way, you really do have the optimum set up for tuning your suspension exactly the way you want it. That being said, it's tricky. Hopefully someone on the forum who really knows his/her suspension mods will help you out -- and hopefully this won't turn into another I love/hate Z51 barking match.
. Just saying the Z51 is pretty close to optimum for a factory option. You can always tailor the whole suspension if you want to spend the $. Good luck and have fun, the most important thing .
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,659
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Location: Earth
Originally Posted by C6BOOST
To be honest, i drove a z51 car when originally purchasing my C6. IMHO it was not a very significant improvement and therefore since i figured an aftermarket suspension will be necessary -- there was no point in spending money on the Z51 package.
sort of...The suspension and brake upgrade on the Z51 package I have found to be inadequate; however, the lower gears 1st thru 3rd, oil, tranny & power steering coolers are still worth the extra 1500.00
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,131
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From: Dallas Texas
After installing LPE Konis, Eradispeed Rotors with SS lines, and wider wheels and tires, my Z51 feels great to me. Chop of rough pavement and wheel hop are gone. Car corners and launchs great.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by Minkster
Can't say I share your opinion of the Z51 spring rate. I've had Z51 on a 2000 FRC and now a C6 and find it not to be overly stiff and very flat in corners on the road and track, especially during transitions (esses). A softer (base) spring will give you more body roll. Sway bars transfer the load from one wheel to the other side which is still working against the spring on that side. Putting bigger bars may lessen the roll, but you will still need stiffer springs to get it flat.
My base suspension car, with Z51 sways and Bilstein shocks, does not have excessive body roll in turns. It also keeps the tires planted on a bumpy road without the skitter typical of the full Z51 package.
Now if your goal is a go kart ride, you could fit stiffer springs. But that would give unacceptable handling on anything other than a billard table smooth surface. Since I drive my car on real roads, I prefer a suspension that actually works properly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,534
Likes: 118
From: Columbia, SC
Originally Posted by shopdog
If the spring rate is too high to allow the suspension to use its full travel on a typical American road, and that's the case for springs with higher rates than the base springs, your tires will lose contact with the roadway when you encounter a bump. The rear skitters on bumpy turns with the Z51 package. That's unacceptable lose of control in my book.
My base suspension car, with Z51 sways and Bilstein shocks, does not have excessive body roll in turns. It also keeps the tires planted on a bumpy road without the skitter typical of the full Z51 package.
Now if your goal is a go kart ride, you could fit stiffer springs. But that would give unacceptable handling on anything other than a billard table smooth surface. Since I drive my car on real roads, I prefer a suspension that actually works properly.
My base suspension car, with Z51 sways and Bilstein shocks, does not have excessive body roll in turns. It also keeps the tires planted on a bumpy road without the skitter typical of the full Z51 package.
Now if your goal is a go kart ride, you could fit stiffer springs. But that would give unacceptable handling on anything other than a billard table smooth surface. Since I drive my car on real roads, I prefer a suspension that actually works properly.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,089
Likes: 14
Originally Posted by Minkster
Sorry, but I haven't experienced any skitter in bumpy corners in my car, and I've hit about every condition road in the Santa Monica mtns/ Mulholland Dr/Decker Canyon rd area here in SoCal. Car is flat, and grips great, even over some pretty harsh roads where there was construction during the day. The only time the rear stepped out was when I gave it a little too much power, which quickly corrected ittself as soon as I eased up. Different experiences, different opinions.