Smoothing my ride out

Free Member

Joined: 7/1/2008

Posts: 4

Vette(s): 1981 Red on Red

I have a 81 vette. I am definitely not an expert on shocks and suspension. My ride feels pretty harsh and would like to smooth it out. What are your thoughts on what type of shocks I should put on and should I do anything about the actual supension?

Any help is appreciated

Ricks81

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/27/08 9:30amMessage 2 of 11

aceinthehole

Former Member

Manteca, CA - USA

Joined: 11/20/2005

Posts: 3623

Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold 1975 L48 4 speed

Hi Rick, if your suspension is original, there are upgrades available. There are entire kits that will replace the rear leaf spring with the composit type and you can choose the ride stiffness by pound ratings and there are a touring grade pair of coil springs for the front. You can also choose to replace the coil spring design with the newer style transverse single composit spring in the front very easily, it's a fabulous improvement. And for starters, there is nothing like a quality set of shocks. I use KYB's cause it's what I can afford, but there are even better shocks out there, Bilstein's being one of the best.

Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/27/08 11:30amMessage 3 of 11

Free Member

Joined: 7/1/2008

Posts: 4

Vette(s): 1981 Red on Red

Thanks for the info aceinthehole. I'll start looking into this. I think I'll just start with the shocks since its quick and easy.

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/27/08 4:08pmMessage 4 of 11

79rebuild

Free Member

Yelm, WA - USA

Joined: 7/12/2007

Posts: 356

Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.

This may be old news but I seen a front coil over kit in one of the recent Jegs catalogue and it said it was for C3's. I took the catalogue to work, so I'll look it up tomorrow. I noticed they also sell KYB's as well and the prices looked pretty good. I got my bilsteins from Vette Brakes and they won me over with theyre customer service.

79rebuild2008-07-27 16:09:02

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/27/08 7:34pmMessage 5 of 11

sundew

Free Member

Eagan, MN - USA

Joined: 6/18/2007

Posts: 468

Vette(s): Gone, but not forgotten: 1974 Coupe Red, matching numbers, Black Interior, L-48 w/ 4 speed; The “Admiral”, also gone and never to be forgotten. 1994 Admiral Blue LT-1 coupe, Black Interior Automatic

I recently replaced the shocks (KYB GR-2) and bushings in the rear suspension and was astonished at the improvement in the ride and handling. I am still not entirely satisfied with the handling, but at least it is consistent and predictable.

Next summer's project will be the front suspension bushings et. al.

For those of you out there who have installed Bilstein shocks, how are they working for you. I installed a set on a VW Scirroco (ex-wife's car) and they were awful....very harsh....reasonable at higher speed, >70, but very nervous on slower, bumpy corners.

sundew2008-07-27 19:38:23

There is no substitute for low end torque!

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/28/08 6:27pmMessage 6 of 11

Free Member

Joined: 7/1/2008

Posts: 4

Vette(s): 1981 Red on Red

Thanks for the information.

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/28/08 7:26pmMessage 7 of 11

Jaws79

Lifetime Member

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Sykesville, MD - USA

Joined: 4/27/2008

Posts: 4240

Vette(s): 1979 Corvette Coupe Corvette Light Blue Midnight Blue interior Mirrored Glass T-tops

We have the Bilsteins on our 79 with the 315 lb. composite rear spring. On the front it's a repaired original front end with a rebuilt steering box and new steering valve. Anyway, the ride and handling are GREAT. No harshness whatsoever. I would recommend them to anyone.

Barry

"Down on the Boardwalk...

Lifetime Member #181

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/29/08 11:05amMessage 8 of 11

VetteSpecialties

Former Member

Mounds View, MN - USA

Joined: 5/24/2007

Posts: 1034

Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe

We mostly sell the KYBs as they are a great combination of quality and price. We also recommend the composite rear leaf spring. And you will be pleasantly surprised at the result if you rebuild the front suspension. We offer rebuild kits, and also offer the option of including rebuilt trailing arms with the kit, so you can do the job in one session.

And the good news is you can do the job in stages as $$ permit.

Larry

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/29/08 2:41pmMessage 9 of 11

Free Member

Joined: 7/1/2008

Posts: 4

Vette(s): 1981 Red on Red

Thanks everyone for the help. I plan on starting the upgrades in August

Rick

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Smoothing my ride out

Posted: 7/30/08 6:35amMessage 10 of 11

MartinsVette

Former Member