RedLS6

The transverse leafs are, no doubt, a very elegant solution. Most who think otherwise don't understand the subleties which make this design so effective. I think too many folks are getting hung up over a G number or over a lap time though, as the only criteria by which a suspension architecture is judged. The decision between coil-overs and transverse leafs will likely be due to a number of factors, including but not limited to packaging, performance (on track and off), space, adjustability, and cost.

NewYuriCity

I wonder if the C8 does move to coilovers if it has something to do with the potential for active aero, as I do recall in the patent that GM made it included adjusting the suspension to maximize the benefit of the aero

Dominic Sorresso

I would think that is a significant consideration. We did see that GM was submitting patent for active aero earlier this year. And you don't really see anyone developing technology for leafsprings.

SBC_and_a_stick

In any case, here is the C8 suspension and the leafs are bye bye. Say hello to the coil spring!

elegant

Or as they say, “asked and answered.” Thanks SBC_and_a_stick!

And for those who want more info:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars...-cad-drawings/

https://jalopnik.com/heres-some-leak...ett-1821288251

jimmyb

Well, I know one thing. There's NO WAY I'm buying a mid-engine Corvette if it's going to have MAUVE coil springs....
Tadge is such a jerk. Who put's MAUVE coils on a Corvette? Now, yellow coils with "Jake" symbols on them..I'm in.

elegant

Sure hope the poster is either kidding and knows that color assignment on a CAD drawing is done by a backroom engineer.

I got a call from Tadge three minutes ago that because of the above post, all ME’s with now come standard with Velocity Yellow coils and a Jake emblem — and for the ME’s, we now get to specify, at a $295 color upcharge, every color of every part on our suspension, with a $495 color upcharge, specifying color choice for every part of our motors.

JoesC5

Does this mean that the ME Vette will corner like the 1990 Sedan Deville that I had decades ago?

And here on this forum I was led to believe that the Vette's leaf springs were the pinnacle of suspension engineering.

torquetube

Well, exactly the same correlation=causation argument was made in this very thread regarding the Camaro ZL1. So if you believe that the shape of the spring is what matters, then that is the conclusion you should come to.

(The shape of the spring isn't what matters).

jimmyb

Hence the

firstvettesoon

This is 2017. Those aren't run of the mill coil springs. They are helical compression leaf springs! The best of both worlds!

RapidC84B

I'm a huge composite monoleaf fan, but that right there is funny.

wishihad1-2

Leaf springs are more expensive than coils. That is even true if you compare the leaf springs under a Chevy pickup vs the coils Dodge uses in their coil spring live axle. The leaf spring in a pickup saves money because you don't have to buy all the other parts (additional trailing links, lateral link, etc). In the case of the Corvette's fiberglass spring they are definitely more expensive than coils. When GM did the C4 they were probably just emammored with the tech. When the C5 came around GM was trying to figure out how to package the suspension (even considered pushrods + bellcranks) they decided the low profile of the leaf spring made the most sense.


Linear can be a property of the spring alone but when you are talking automotive suspension it's a combination of the spring and suspension kinematics.

General comment, a few people have credited David Hill with the dual mount leaf spring setup. That was an idea GM copied from Fiat but GM combined it with their fiberglass spring technology. The C4 was the first car to used the combination.

This post really gets it.

JerriVette

Thanks wish I had 1-2 ..I never knew the Chevy pickup trucks had plastic leaf springs like corvettes..

I could care less what springs GM chooses for the rear mid engine corvette as long as it's an awesome performance vehicle...

Happy holidays

wishihad1-2

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse, I don't think GM has ever used fiberglass leaf springs in their full size pickups. They did use them from the factory in some versions of the Astro van and they are an option for heavy trucks
https://liteflex.com/

Anyway, to the best of my knowledge all recent full size pickups have used conventional steel leaf springs with the exception of the Chrysler coil spring + live axle setup on the recent Dodge trucks. The important point was that the leaf springs (even steel ones) are more expensive than coil springs by a significant margin. The savings is in the other parts and assembly steps that aren't needed with a leaf spring design. That's one of the things people overlook when assuming the Corvette leaf spring is a cost saving measure. Well in the truck it only saves money because you don't buy all those suspension arms. The Corvette still has all those suspension arms. The other point is why would GM use this cost savings technology only on the most expensive car they sell, but not the many cheaper models?

FrankLP

And the latest leaked CAD image (originally from ZERV) of the front area here in this thread:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-zerv-10.html

Suns_PSD

Either can be made to work well. Whatever GM deems best for the application once considering weight/ packaging/ cost/ performance/ etc.. is fine with me. I'm sure it will be great.

RedLS6

Neither coil spring nor transverse leaf matters much when your alignment drifts all over the map at the track or under spirited driving because your eccentrics slipped. I wish they would give us a lockable system similar to the camber kits on the market. Not that these kits are expensive, they're not.

johnglenntwo

The Ford GT does a lot of cross design but certainly didn't hold that race car prowess enough.
Keep it simple stupid maybe for the base?)!

RussM05

Please stop calling it a "leaf" spring. The Corvette hasn't had a leaf spring since the early 1980's. Leaf springs are a stack of thinner steel and a composite spring is one piece. The major difference is the composite spring is much lighter than the steel leaf spring.