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Considering the C7 Z06 Z07 and the Camaro ZL1 1LE were only 1:25 seconds off at Laguna Seca, wouldn't this debunk the often supported leaf spring as an advantage?
The perfect experiment is that they both have the same engine and roughly the same tire patch and aero.
The differences are mainly:
leaf vs spring
trans-axle vs front mounted trans
exotic composites vs metal
The Camaro is heavier by 400lbs due to lack of exotic composites and the need to use a chassis designed for a rear seat. It also gets a cheaper chassis design where the trans is mounted upfront. All that together is easily worth the 1:25s. Another way to look at it is to add 400lbs upfront in the Corvette as ballast weight. It could easily go around the track 1:25 slower.
I think it's fair to say that C8 could go with springs and get better adjust-ability over leafs without losing the performance edge. In ME design you don't really need much engine bay width either so larger wheel wells are probably ok space wise.
Leafs are springs. Coil springs is what you are looking for. I would bet the new car will have coil springs. As you said I don’t think the space constraints will be there on the mid engine vehicle
Whatever GM decides to do I'm good with. I have no problems with leaf springs as the corvette team uses them.
The camaro ZL1 1LE with its special shocks and hard mounted chassis is unlivable on the street.
It's a great track package but comparing the z06 to a ZL1 1LE is not exactly a good indication of leaf versus coil springs.
Comparing a camaro ZL1 NON 1LE with its MRC shocks and traction all passenger car bushings would be a better indicator of performance differences on track between a coil and leaf spring vehicle.
In the nicest way possible and I love the ZL1 1LE...is to realize it's a track tool that will beat the hell out of its owner on the street compared to the corvette z06 and ZL1 (non 1LE)
Hope this lends insight
Last edited by JerriVette; 12-08-2017 at 11:50 PM.
Both the Z06/7 and the GS/7 are pulling a media tested 1.20G on the skid pad. Sometimes the old “tired and true” is very efficient, and in the case, very effective also.
There is no "old" and "new" about any of it. This is a composite SPRING, why people think a coil spring is so "advanced" is beyond me.
A spring supports the weight of the chassis...it doesn't matter if it's a transverse looking flat "leaf" or if it's a coil, or whatever else. Corvette has massive amounts of grip...it's spring design isn't an issue, at all. At most you get some amount of "crosstalk" between each side, but dampers are the true technology, not the spring. The spring serves a pretty simple purpose, and these springs are linear based upon their thickness, width, etc.
There is nothing ADVANCED about a coil spring people....they go back to the horse and buggy just the same. The coil spring was invented in the 1700's....
Composite leaf spring has a lower center of gravity and serves as a sway bar in addition to a spring. The only downside is that it is not adjustable but this could be addressed with variable mounting points on the chassis.
The reason that I still have leaf springs on my Corvettes is that it is a more advanced spring than a metal coil spring.
Vettes can have a tradition.
MG bean counters...leaf lowers cost.
Leafs in Vettes work well.
Damping, ride height already done with adjustable leaf screws and magnetic shocks w/ software.
I'd still like to see the Mid Eng as the only Vette with a $50K cost of entry.
Base model with non super charger, ZR with extra boost SC.
I am unsure if a Front Eng and ME cost assembly lines are effective for GM.
MG bean counters...leaf lowers cost.
Leafs in Vettes work well.
Vette leaf springs cost 4 times more than coil/overs to manufacture. They weigh the same as coil/overs if weighed with the shocks. They reduce unsprung weight, they increase roll resistance without increasing spring rate ( because of the way they are mounted. Dave Hill design). They lower Cg. Easier packaging.
If you want to have different spring rates than what the factory offers, you are sh-t out of luck. Hard to control ride height that some aero packages require. (Splitter/diffuser.) Coil/overs require a stiffer chassis (addition of roll cage) Can't get C/Os to ride as nice on the street because they restrict the Vette's compliant geometry. Composite Leafs will never loose their performance properties.
Rather have coil overs, IMO the composit leaf spring have always felt odd to me especially in the rear depending on the track I raced on. My 2015 Z I never messed with plus I only kept her less than 80 days. my 2003 Z06 had coil overs and it felt more balanced and less jumpy in the rear plus my track times were faster. The mid engine could have some packaging issues even if GM wanted to go with L/S, Time will tell still think we will have Coil-Overs
Rather have coil overs, IMO the composit leaf spring have always felt odd to me especially in the rear depending on the track I raced on. My 2015 Z I never messed with plus I only kept her less than 80 days. my 2003 Z06 had coil overs and it felt more balanced and less jumpy in the rear plus my track times were faster. The mid engine could have some packaging issues, Time will tell
Sorry but I just don’t envision an ME platform using leaf springs. With a completely different platform as in the ME, I see the Corvette group able to finally utilize a clean sheet for suspension.
Sorry but I just don’t envision an ME platform using leaf springs. With a completely different platform as in the ME, I see the Corvette group able to finally utilize a clean sheet for suspension.
Describe the suspension you envisage in the ME Vette.
The leaf springs are also consistent and don't need tweaking after the assembly line. If you ever have a chance to read about how Chevy handles magazines Vs. Ferrari it's worth it. Basically Ferrari comes in with a whole crew of techs to set a car up for a particular track and they are there to tweak it in order for the car mags to get the best experience and times... Chevy drops the cars off and tells them to run them...... no tweaking required.
The leaf springs are also consistent and don't need tweaking after the assembly line. If you ever have a chance to read about how Chevy handles magazines Vs. Ferrari it's worth it. Basically Ferrari comes in with a whole crew of techs to set a car up for a particular track and they are there to tweak it in order for the car mags to get the best experience and times... Chevy drops the cars off and tells them to run them...... no tweaking required.
Not sure that proves anything other than Ferrari is more **** about their cars than GM.
Dominic, point me to the issue where Corvettes have ever been criticized for their lack of handling or mechanical grip? Give me a constructive point of view, as to why you feel the platform needs a different suspension, other than the fact that you don't like the terminology that people give it. "Leaf spring"....
12-08-2017, 05:49 PM
Should C8 have springs instead of leafs?
