Anybody here have coilovers done on their C5? Is it worth the hassle? How guarunteed are you to be able to get it setup right so its as least as good as before, and then some?

Has anybody tried the VBR springs? Any LGM modified suspensions? Did you do any timed racing before and after to see any improvements?

I'm trying to figure out where to take this car...the car feels a little sloppy in autoX, and this is on street tires!

<img src="http://home.austin.rr.com/jmx/vetteautox_sm.jpg" alt=" - " />

<small>[ February 11, 2003, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: jmX ]</small>

 

While coilovers are definately the ultimate setup in ideal conditions, I've read several comments that the current offereings for the C5 dont have large enough shock bodies, and thats because there isnt enough room in the rear for the shock + spring.

People are also concerned about the shock mounts, but personally that doesnt bother me.

Eric

 

Does LGM have any successful autoX cars? I'm not totally convinced coil overs are the way to go unless I see some fast guys using them. All the C5's at the local autoX were on stock stuff and they seem to be doing great, making me think the transverse springs aren't inherently the problem.

I'm just tired of the base suspension and trying to look ahead a bit.

 

I'm not convinced they are worth the $ either. Ride height is adjustable on a C5 without to much effort and most of the fast guys are on the factory springs. I have gone for rides during Road Atlanta Track Days in a ZR1 running a LPE 368 with full DRM suspension and a DRM C500RSR Z06 both had DRM coil overs. However they had a long list of other suspension mods including big DRM 6/4 pistons brake setups etc...etc. The cars were very settled at all times and turned very fast times. I would love to see more info on this <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Lamar
00 Black FRC Vette

<small>[ February 11, 2003, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: 93Polo ]</small>

 

I did a little searching and found this.

http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showt...market+springs

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

It looks like maybe penske shocks, Z06 springs, and Z06 swaybars may have to be the combo. The total cost would be around $3300 I beleive for everything, but it'd be a great combo.

Koni singles would be a cheaper alternative but they are too tall for lowered cars, and the koni doubles (while shorter) cost nearly as much as the penskes.

Koni Singles+z06 springs is not a budget breaker, but all the other options seem to be. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

DR Debacle, that thread seems convoluted, nobody really seems to give much advice other than "z06's handle good from the factory".

 

I havent lowered my car yet, but I plan to at least lower as much as the adjusters will allow. If I dont cut the front bushings do you think the Koni singles are still too tall?

I'm thinking about Koni Singles, Z06 springs and either hotchikis or bmr sway bars.

Eric

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jmX:
<strong> It looks like maybe penske shocks, Z06 springs, and Z06 swaybars may have to be the combo. The total cost would be around $3300 I beleive for everything, but it'd be a great combo.

Koni singles would be a cheaper alternative but they are too tall for lowered cars, and the koni doubles (while shorter) cost nearly as much as the penskes.

Koni Singles+z06 springs is not a budget breaker, but all the other options seem to be. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

DR Debacle, that thread seems convoluted, nobody really seems to give much advice other than "z06's handle good from the factory". </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well, what I pulled out of it was replace your bushings and the Penske shocks. I do agree tho... many many different opinions. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jmX:
<strong> <img src="http://home.austin.rr.com/jmx/vetteautox_sm.jpg" alt=" - " /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">BTW-Nice pic! Laura said so. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

Although a different setup, the TT 427 uses coilovers, but its also mini tubbed and runs 345s as daily tires lol. Just food for thought

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Dr Debacle:
<strong> BTW-Nice pic! Laura said so. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Woo, a compliment from a girl. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Yall should bring out the Z06 to the next autoX event, there was a VERY fast yellow Z06 on slicks. I got her to ride with me on a run to give me some pointers as to what I was doing wrong...apparently I gotta be more gentle with the throttle with that extra hp. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

 

We would have definately been out there had I known it was going on. I want her to run the car in a few of the events so that she will have a better idea of what to expect from it.

Is this Spokes? Do you have a calander of events or website? TIA <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

www.spokes.org, next event is march 9th. There is a practice event soon but you have to be a member to run in it and its too late to join for that event.

 

I have a few buddies running FRC's and Z06's in auto x and other events. handling on the vettes can be as radical or as drivable as you want.. the BIG question is what is drivable and what is track only to different people. The factory Z06 setup works VERY well in both instances. it gives enough for the street yet holds very well on the track or auto x'ing. now you won't be the fastest with this setup but you will definitly have fun... the BIGGEST improvement on a stock C5 is sway bars/ end links. the most popular kit giving you the best of both worlds is Hotchkis (595.00 set).. they are a little larger than the Z06 bars and are a little more thick as well. Then there is the T-1 bars (695.00 set).. those are the big daddy's and are for seriopus track use.. the BMR's are a high quality piece as well but they are solid bars. which add a significant amount fo weight over the above selections which are all hollow. depending on the year of the C5 the endlinks are composite and are not solid for spirited cornering.. the next thing would be shocks and this depends on your pocket book and how serious you are about track racing. if your just a weekend warrior and don't want a bone jarring ride on your daily trek to work Bilstien, stock Z06 shocks work very well.. for more serious guys, then the Penske, HAL, Koni and others are the setup for you.. the next level is also bushings and this is where the rought ride and noise also come into play.. you will ahve a very well handling car but the harsh ride and noise may get annoying for daily driving.. thsi is just some of the info i have concerning setups i have seen.. i do have a set of Hotchkis new in the Box for 475.00 for anyone wanting to make the change.. they include all bushings and Spherical endlinks. i am going the T-1 route in the front with my stock Z06 out back. hope this sheds a little light an a subject that could take up way more space than this...

Wes

 

Chicago, saying the biggest improvement on a stock C5 is swaybars seems pretty strange. I have Z06 bars and while the change is noticable, its not going to affect handling that much. Spring rates and good shocks will go MUCH more towards helping the car than the swaybars. The more important issue is making it all work together.

You said you are going to have a T1 bar up front and a stock bar in the back. Has this been proven to work on somebody elses car or what? It sounds like a recipie for a really unbalanced car.

I also have the bilsteins and they just dont seem to cut it. The rear seems very uncontrolled to me, but my bilsteins may just be dead (it feels like they are useless to me). Maybe I am just more picky than others (no, for sure I am more picky than others) but I'm a firm beleiver in making sure the swaybars and spring rates are matched, and getting GOOD shocks. I don't have the money to experiement with swaybar thicknesses and different spring rates so I think I'm going to have to stick with a proven combo, not mix and match like you are suggesting. Seems like solid info on the subject is kinda hard to come by since so many people leave the suspensions near stock, or just put on bars and bilsteins like I did mainly because its cheap.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by jmX:
<strong> www.spokes.org, next event is march 9th. There is a practice event soon but you have to be a member to run in it and its too late to join for that event. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Dang, March 9th is the Spring Break Shootout. We already have plans to go to that. Oh well, we'll make the next one after that. Thanks for the info. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Dr Debacle:
<strong>Dang, March 9th is the Spring Break Shootout. We already have plans to go to that. Oh well, we'll make the next one after that. Thanks for the info. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">ACK@!$# indeed it is. Well, I'll be going to the LS1tech event on the 9th then. I had no idea it was on the same day. That sucks.

So, back to handling, does anybody here actually have any shocks besides stock or bilsteins?! Any koni or penske feedback?

 

JMX, as with anything there are many opinions.. as the old saying goes.. and technically this is not this lists specialty.. there are other "vette" orientated lists with guys who do a lot more and know more than i.. however i was talking about stock C5's not Z06's.. most guys are after a more flat turn and less roll... they really don't know anything more than a harsh ride must be a good handling car. shocks do help this along with springs and bars... hence the "stock Z06 setup works really well in both worlds" for those wanting more than that you are going to have to spend cash.. i was not alluding to just put Z06 bars and go.. the Z06 package.. bars, springs, and shocks.. i do not have too much rear sway or swing out issues mine actually pushes the front needs more.. i am actually going to use the hotchkis rear and the T1 front.. with the Spherical endlinks.. the factory C5 endlinks are also junk, there are numerous places to start just depends on driving style. a few friends in TX run the Big Bend race who have bilsteins, T-1 bars, and bushings who run the 135mph class.. getting down to it aligment is a huge factor as well as rubber.. so again there are countless setups for everyones driving style and wallet.. my mods happen to fit my needs and style.. for those who are not sure i would definitly stick to "packages" or to those they are auto x ing with where they can go for a ride to feel the harshnessand how it handles and depending on how well you know them take theirs for a spin.. again just trying to contribute my 02 not saying my views are right or the path for everyone..

wes