coilovers question
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,999
Likes: 242
From: Surprise, Az
As Tim points out, lots more adjustability with coilovers. The problem is, being educated enough to make the adjustments. That was one reason I chose the JOC upgrade. The shocks are non adjustable, the rear sway is and I am trying to correct an oversteer problem that mysteriously showed up, I suspect when I lubed the sway bar bushings. With the JOC setup, you get urethane sway bar bushings (stiffer) and lube. So far I think I'm going down the right path, I skid padded my car on dry pavement and took it to 1g, slip angles seem to have remained pretty equal front to rear. I need to do more testing though and need to have a better location to test. I know the car on street tires can hit 1.2g's on track.
So as others have mentioned, it helps to have a goal to keep the budget in check and decide if you want to change vehicles or not.
Personally, my GS does or has the capability to do what I want, its paid for, and I like the wide body look. At this time, I don't really want to spend the money to upgrade to a C7 GS.
So as others have mentioned, it helps to have a goal to keep the budget in check and decide if you want to change vehicles or not.
Personally, my GS does or has the capability to do what I want, its paid for, and I like the wide body look. At this time, I don't really want to spend the money to upgrade to a C7 GS.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Well I discovered a new trade-off with the JOC shocks. I hit a pothole at speed and in trying to track down a rattle, discovered one of my front shocks is damaged. My shop called AFE (who got the rights to the the kit when PFADT folded) to order a replacement unit. They currently not have any in stock. However, the issue is they will not sell me a single replacement shock when they do receive inventory. The inability to purchase replacement parts is something to consider in your choice of suppliers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,999
Likes: 242
From: Surprise, Az
Bad plan by AFE. They are re-valved OEM's, I wonder how difficult it would be to get one repaired or a new one with the components installed. Looks like plan B is for adjustable shocks. LG looks like a viable alternative.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
^^^ Coilovers would be nice, but more than I want to invest at the moment. Going to try the DRM valved Bilsteins.
I suspect the DRM shocks plus a set of Z06 or sways would provide the handling that the OP is looking for, although I'd expect the C7 would ride a little nicer when not being pushed hard. Koni FSD shocks plus Z06 sways would be a big improvement and retain a slightly better ride as another alternative for the OP. Either would be a smaller investment than coilovers. Besides if coilovers are used with higher spring rates and stiffer shock settings, the OP will probably want larger sway bars to match.
I suspect the DRM shocks plus a set of Z06 or sways would provide the handling that the OP is looking for, although I'd expect the C7 would ride a little nicer when not being pushed hard. Koni FSD shocks plus Z06 sways would be a big improvement and retain a slightly better ride as another alternative for the OP. Either would be a smaller investment than coilovers. Besides if coilovers are used with higher spring rates and stiffer shock settings, the OP will probably want larger sway bars to match.
Last edited by Ragtop 99; Sep 19, 2017 at 03:59 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
One note about DRM Bilsteins; you can speak to them and get them just about any way you want for your type of driving, and road/driving conditions. Used to be you could call Randy and talk with him about it; maybe now it's at hq in Minn.
As to Koni FSDs, as long as they've been out (about 7-8 years) I'm probably one of maybe two who disagree w. the prevailing praise of the shock. I put them on my car AFTER putting on new PS2 ZPs (runflat Michelins) and drove the exact same roads up and back to the shop that did the installation--about 100+ miles. Zero change in anything from stock Z51 shocks, ride, handling, rebound, jounce, etc. I let it "settle in" for days, weeks, with no change. All in all a "nothing burger" as a famous person has said recently.
But not exorbitant either.
I could say, adequate but not "shockingly" different from the Z51 shocks.
As to Koni FSDs, as long as they've been out (about 7-8 years) I'm probably one of maybe two who disagree w. the prevailing praise of the shock. I put them on my car AFTER putting on new PS2 ZPs (runflat Michelins) and drove the exact same roads up and back to the shop that did the installation--about 100+ miles. Zero change in anything from stock Z51 shocks, ride, handling, rebound, jounce, etc. I let it "settle in" for days, weeks, with no change. All in all a "nothing burger" as a famous person has said recently.
But not exorbitant either.I could say, adequate but not "shockingly" different from the Z51 shocks.
Last edited by AORoads; Sep 19, 2017 at 05:37 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
I had the FSD's on the car for about a month, but not right after switching from the Z51's. Compared to the JOC's, they rode nicer and handling was still good and they seemed to keep the rear more planted on bad roads than the stock stocks. I had problems with the front scraping on my driveway and speedbumps, so I put the JOC's back on.
The OP has a 1LT, so the FSD's, or a set of stock Z51's, would help when paired with upgraded sway bars.
The OP has a 1LT, so the FSD's, or a set of stock Z51's, would help when paired with upgraded sway bars.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 31,256
Likes: 335
From: San Jose CA
St. Jude Donor '11
A great option is the Aldan American setup which IMO is an AMAZING deal for the price... $1199 Shipped to your door, Made in the USA, 100% rebuildable, and we can customize to your specs.. 2
Click here for more info...
http://www.tpsmotorsports.com/aldan-...-corvette.html
__________________
TPSMotorsports.com
Mike Mak
2705 Lafayette Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone #: 408/898-4632
Email #: MikeM@TPSMotorsports.com
Authorized dealer of Corbeau Seats, ECS Superchargers, Edelbrock SuperChargers, A&A Superchargers, Kooks, Whipple, Magnalow, Corsa, Borla. LG Motorsports, Procharger, Billy Boat Exhaust, AWE Exhaust, American Racing, TPS Brake Rotors/ Kits, Stainless Steel Brake Lines & much more...Mike Mak
2705 Lafayette Street
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Phone #: 408/898-4632
Email #: MikeM@TPSMotorsports.com
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 536
Likes: 14
From: North Fork, Long Island NY
No squat or dive, ever
Rides like on rails
Looks great.
On the negative...Its hard to say as far as ride quality. I still take twelve hour trips to NC and come out alive.
PS: The daily driver is a CTS V-Sport (or her P-car on occasion), so sorta spoiled on the ride quality.
Just sayin'
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 613
Likes: 103
From: Farmington Arkansas
I was looking at upgrades to suspension also. I was away with a rental 2017 Impala for a week. Then drove spare car 325I for two days while getting a new wheel bearing installed. Got Vette back and it feels like glue on the road. So before you spend the cash drive something else for a few days.
