Corvette Coilovers vs Shocks
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- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- Lyle from C&S Corvettes talks about Coilovers vs shocks.
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Lyle from C&S Corvettes talks about Coilovers vs shocks.
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A few comments mostly based on the C4:
Remember that coil overs add lots of stress on the shock absorber mounts. Those are not meant for carrying the weight of the car. They are just meant for the shock absorbers and there have been some cases of cracks due to stress from the weight of the car. Increased spring rate (="stiffer" springs) worsens the situation.
And as Lyle says, the leaf springs are really good for any street driven car or a car that is run on tracks just now and then. Also, the front leaf spring with its dual mounting points actually has a sway bar function. This means that coil overs have to be really stiff to prevent leaning on curvy road/track, which increases the risk of cracking the shock mounts even more.
And the modifiction that gives most bang for the buck on a C4 on a race track isn´t coil overs. It is actually brakes! Not sexy, but important! High performance pads, good brake discs, good brake fluid and LOTS of brake cooling will decrease your laptimes on curvy track more than any coil overs ever can accomplish and it is much cheaper!
And if you are running an automatic transmission cooling of the transmission fluid is very important. Cooling, cooling, cooling, cooling!
i just wish the front spring wasnt such a hack job to get to lower just 1 inch of the C4
I replaced the stock shocks on my 2008 base model with AFE Power's "Johnny O'Connell Shock Set". They were under $1,000 for a set of 4 vs. over $3,000 for their coil-over option. I also installed their "Johnny O'Connell Series Sway Bar Set". These 2 upgrades made a HUGE difference in the handling, feel, and performance of my C6. The shocks are firm yet forgiving on the street. They do not dip in turns like the stock shocks. They also do not "chatter" over rough roads like the stock shocks. Also, the larger/stiffer (more like the Z06) sway bars allow me to make sharp and fast turns without significant body roll. The combination of their performance shocks and sway bars for under $2,000 was well worth it for me. I also installed them myself as they were fairly easy with available You Tube install videos.
Would like to see a similar podcast on Run flat vs Non run flats
I've already done that video. Check out the full library of videos we have on our UA-cam Channel. :) Lyle
Me too
Thanks for explaining all this Lyle!! Good info to know!!👍
I just swapped my Z06 OEM shocks over to Koni Sport shocks. The Koni's are expensive at $370 each retail. I did get mine for $1290 delivered for a set of 4. The difference is pretty dramatic in the increased preciseness of the handling. A lot of the side hopping (I have Pilot Sport 4S on EMTs) and side movements on rough tertiary roads has vanished. They have adjustable rebound. I highly recommend these shocks for our cars. And I'm sure they'd make a big improvement out on the track.If GM would've made these an extra cost option, knowing what I know now, I'd definitely have added them on. The coil overs may be the hot tip for the track, but, as an upgrade that'll really improve overall handling and feel, the Koni's, imho, are really hard to beat.
Always great listening! Thanks Lyle
Lyle I ve been working on my C3' Corvette and I had to put a hole new rear end in it I put on new strut rods and brakes and calipers and rear cover and spring and emergency brakes on both sides and new shocks new brake lines now that is all done now I got to put the hole front end together it's got everything new too
Great subject Lyle! Kicked around the idea of either one but could not justify the cost of coilovers. As well stated, it’s about use that determines need. Ultimately I went with Koni Special Active shocks on my C5 and love them. A little pricey but handle great. Keep up the good work!
Very helpful, thanks Lyle!
I'm looking at coilovers for my C4 only because it's impossible to find replacement leaf springs.
What about Alan American C5/C6 coil overs, supposedly there comparable to run flats ride quality, without run flats. My springs are in bad shape, ive never tracked mine but I drive it like I stole it. Love your videos, really helped me with my seat tracks.
Lyle, thanks for the content.
Great information, saw you at Sebring corvettes invasion eating in the snack shack, too star struck to say hi though. 😂
Man, you should have said something! I love meeting new Corvette Peeps! Lyle :)
Thanks Lyle!
And what about the coil overs you mention ($1500-$2500) for a set of 4, vs F55’s?
Performance? Ride comfort? Ease of installation?
Great presentation, Thank you.
Thanks Leo. That was very informative!
Shocking presentation! I think that the FRP spring is lighter as well.
You can program F55 out with a techII , no simulators needed, I did it on mine.
I just replace my mag ride last year in my c6 and it doesn't feel as stiff as I would like I think im gonna save some money and get coil overs when they go out in the future
Going to disagree with your assessment that coilovers reduce weight, well perhaps over the C2/C3 metal traverse spring in the back but in Dave McLellan's "Corvette from the Inside" he said the fiberglass transverse leaf spring was the greatest weight reduction he ever saw, and on Autoline TV, Tadge Juechter said that one of the reasons for the C8's weight increase over the C7 was ditching the fiberglass transverse leaf springs for coilovers.
good info
I know your right about the coilovers producing a much stiffer ride, but damn they look kool. How much stiffer, would it spill my coffee.
2004 Z06 here. I'm in the midwest and street driven 99% of the time. Drag Strip maybe once every other yr just for fun and in full street trim. (no DR's)
I put on softer KYB shocks and a +1 size tire w/a slightly taller sidewall.
I like it a lot for street driving.
My only complaint is trying to launch at the drag strip. I get severe wheel hop. So much that its hurting my 60fts and 1/4 by at least 0.4secs. I can't launch hard and I can't 1-2 shift hard either.
I love the ride as is for 99% of the time. I just wish there was something I could do for those few times I go to the drag strip. (would a set of drag radials help?)
Here is a vid of me on ToD using this setup ua-cam.com/video/_-tDqV9ac34/v-deo.html
I have a 2008 C6 with the magnetic ride control and I was told by the garage where I get state inspection, that the shocks are weeping. I would like some advice on should I replace them with OEM shocks or after market? I have no plans to track the vehicle .
Would dual rate springs on a set of coilovers give you the best of both worlds? The first few inches of travel can be softly sprung so it glides over small bumps and undulations like a Cadillac, but will stiffen under hard braking and cornering to reduce body roll and keep the tires planted.
In theory, it should work exactly as you describe it. I am unaware of anyone offering coil overs with dual-rate springs for the Corvette, but that certainly doesn't mean that they don't exist. If you find someone making those, let me know! Lyle
I have a 2013 Z06 with Z07 package. I installed Viking coil overs. I couldn’t find ANY simulators that worked and had to turn off the active handling all together. So my only option is active handling completely ON or OFF. I was told 2013 is the only year that simulators do not work. Anyone else have experience with this issue?
The simulators that we carry are made to work in any GM vehicle. They aren't cheap ($360 a set) but they are guaranteed to work. Lyle
@@cscorvetteify hey Lyle, could you drop the link here or in the notes to the F55 replacement video please?
Also, could you please put a link to the simulators you mentioned here as well please? I looked in your online store and I'm not seeing them anywhere.
@@Steve-O_27 The simulators that I have now are a recent addition to our inventory, so I haven't even added them to my site yet. I have verified that they work on the cars that "no simulators work on" here at the shop on two customer cars. If you want to order a set, or get more details, just call me directly at 800-886-5064. Lyle
C6 Z06 Bilstein shocks. About 25% stiffer. Much better overall than the stock units which if you have stock and 50k miles your stockers are shot
This is largely in your head. The marketing is very effective :) But honestly for an everyday driver or cruise-in cruiser you’re hard pressed to beat the original shock. And no, they aren’t shot at 50K. Maybe not even at 150K. LOTS of money get wasted on new shocks.
Direct from JD power “
Shocks don’t go out all at once; they slowly degrade over time. Depending on what kind of driver you are, you should wear out every 50,000-100,000 miles.” So I’m on the leading edge and you’re at the other end so we both have some truth. But when you’re talking high performance then the leading edge is more on point.
And can this be done to the 77 C3?
Lyle sorry lol
since coil overs are always discussed as a handling improvement, I always considered them as desirable, one of these days, with my only concern being a different mechanical stress from relocating the springs. now that I know of the possibility of a less comfortable ride, they're not something I need. And really, with the rubber noodle steering on a C5 , there's not much point attempting to improve the driving experience by improving the suspension feel because of such a major weak link, unless you race. Call it a GT and get happy.
my used C5 came lowered on billstein shocks, preferred for lowered cars primarily because of the bump stop rubber, I am told. because my suspension was already modified I thought coil overs might be a better way to improve that modification. plus my expert alignment guy said to just go modern and get coil overs, when I mentioned if he knew anything about the original magnetic shocks, desirable to me only because I prefer all my control switches to work, knowing they were poorly developed early adaptor stuff, much too expensive, long discontinued and unloved generally.
👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Sir, I'm getting ready to replace all four hub bearings on my 2007 c6 corvette. My question is, do I have to reuse the original wheel studs, or not? Thanks
Absolutely not! It is far easier to press new ones into the new hubs than to go through the trouble of switching them all over. Lyle :)
Thanks. I'm sorry for not making myself clear. The new hubs came with hubs. I watched a video showing where this you tube tech, removed the new studs and reused the old ones. Again, I'm sorry for not being clear. Enjoy the videos. I wished I was close to your shop, you would have this job. Here in coastal Mississippi, between mobile, Alabama and Biloxi Mississippi, all we have is one dealership. Have a great week. 👍
Hey Lyle, So it’s about that time for me to put on new shocks on my 07 3LT Z51 vette, just wanna see what most ppl have used on their vette. I’m looking into getting the Bilstein performance plus B8 or the B6, I’ve read a few comments on some corvette forms, that say to use the B8 shock, because I have a Z51 and the B8 will complement the Z51 package good. But then I see other comments, saying to use the B6. IDK 🤷♂️what would you recommend if my vette came to you guys the Bilstein B8 or B6
I'm going to change my "13" GS shocks this summer so I'm researching now. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I'm probably going with the B6 shocks over the B8's due to ride height. I want to keep standard ride height and the B8's are good if you want a lower ride height.
@@mikektmrdr9005 as far as I’ve been reading the B6 are gonna be more for a comfort ride, the B8 are more sporty and a little bit stiffer. They recommend a B8 if you’re going to lower the car or u can definitely use a B8 for stock height no problem there. And what I’ve been reading and what people have told me on Facebook C6 groups is that since I have the Z51 package they say go with the.B8 it will work better/complement the Z51, now I’m not 1000% sure it’s just kind of what I’ve been told but since Lyle had posted this video I figured I would ask to see if the car came to him what would they want to put on.
@@joeypooschke7914 I went to Bilstein's web site to see what they have for the car. If I got it right, the B4 is the soft, "comfort" shock, the B6 is firmer but same height, maybe closer to the Z51, and the B* has a shorter shaft for lower ride. They have a video on their site that go thru the 3 types.
Part # for bilstein coilovers ?
West Coast Corvettes has them here: www.westcoastcorvette.com/products/corvette-shocks-bilstein-g2-coil-over-set-1997-2013-c5-c6z06zr1grand-sport?variant=17022892081198
The question I have, is which behavior of the car should prone you to change shocks? My C5 is 135kmiles and the shocks looks original without leaks as of now….
Shocks go bad gradually over time, so it is very hard to tell when they have finally lost all useful life. They don't have to leak to fail. Best advice is to let a professional tech drive the car and get his opinion. We can tell when shocks are bad in about 1.2 miles. If the car dampens unevenly (shifts when you hit bumps) that is a big indicator that your shocks are finished. Lyle :)
@@lyleaulwurm9486 my professional mechanic is not convinced they are bad yet, he is leaving the choice to me. The car seems to behave properly to me compared to recent Volvo station wagons I can drive otherwise in Europe.
What is the life span of F55 shocks ?
@@DHenry-cs8up Roughly 36,003 miles, in my experience. ( Warranty runs out at 36,000 ) :) Lyle
@@FrancoisTCS Railroad tracks are the easy way to tell. if the car goes over the tracks without bottoming out or shifting the rear to one side, then the shocks are still at least partially working. Lyle
Does the C8 now use coilovers?
Hs anyone ever tried Penske shocks?
never tried them , but read the same stuff that got you interested. I wouldn't hesitate if you need race car parts. he's a real guy with top race teams and his commercial rental trucks are all over Southern California, so he also knows general business. most guys buy them when their needs have outgrown the normal less expensive race shocks
I plan to upgrade my C5's shocks to a set of OE C6 Z06 shocks.
Corvette owners who buy Coilovers just to lower it flat to the ground.....😑
For real, blows my mind
I like your explanation however you keep saying it's coil overs versus shocks. You replace both the original shock and the spring. A coil over is both a shock and a spring as you did explain. Perhaps not being as clear as you might
Percise?
Like nails on a chalkboard, isn't it? I saw that when the video premiered and could not believe my IT guy misspelled that. he also called SHOCKS "COILOVERS". Clearly, the beatings must continue!!! :) Lyle
@@cscorvetteify Couldn't resist giving you a hard time about the typo. Still a great video. Keep up the good work!
@@rmfindlay I appreciate you were just giving me the business! :) I HATE simple mistakes, though. Completely avoidable and just plain unprofessional! :) Lyle
LOL