Lowering my Z: wedges vs coilovers

[ALLTHECAMS]

i have a 1991 ZR-1 with 82k miles. When I bought the car 3 years ago it had cheap KYB shocks on it. I found some used FX3 shocks on ebay and put them on the car but I still dont have the actuators. Not sure the system will work either.



Now I want to lower the car but I'm wondering if I should convert to full coilovers or just install the wedges. I've already done the rear bolts to try to level the car. I live in MN so ride quality is somewhat of a concern due to potholes, uneven pavement etc.


I do see the Van Steel single adjustable street kit is on sale...

Thanks
Matt

[FormulaReed]

Coilovers are great for track cars, but for a street car they kinda suck. Especially if you live in an area that has bad roads. The roads in Seattle are trashed, and my daily driver has coilovers. I regret putting them on every time I drive that car. Much better at the track or autocross, but for street driving they are much worse than stock.

[Karl]

I don't know why but coilovers seems to be love it or hate it here.

I am on my 2nd Z and I had DRM coilovers installed on both cars with some type of harness bar that connects to four points.

I remember when I sold my '92 the buyer on the test drive saying how great the car rode and felt compared to leaf springs. And this was from a seasoned C4 owner.

It is a pricey investment compared to the wedges.

Good luck on your decision.

[Pete]

What spring rates do you have i have noticed people going with way too stiff spring rates for the street.
Specially rear spring rate.

I have 400 front and 225 rear and its fine.

I see guys going with 450-475 fronts and 275-300 rears which i think are a lil too much for street use.

Does anybody know what stock (1992-1995) spring rates equal to for a coilover spring.

Pete



Coilovers are great for track cars, but for a street car they kinda suck. Especially if you live in an area that has bad roads. The roads in Seattle are trashed, and my daily driver has coilovers. I regret putting them on every time I drive that car. Much better at the track or autocross, but for street driving they are much worse than stock.

[TX '90 ZR1]

i have a 1991 ZR-1 with 82k miles. When I bought the car 3 years ago it had cheap KYB shocks on it. I found some used FX3 shocks on ebay and put them on the car but I still dont have the actuators. Not sure the system will work either.



Now I want to lower the car but I'm wondering if I should convert to full coilovers or just install the wedges. I've already done the rear bolts to try to level the car. I live in MN so ride quality is somewhat of a concern due to potholes, uneven pavement etc.


I do see the Van Steel single adjustable street kit is on sale...

Thanks
Matt

Matt,
I've got some actuators and a couple of control modules. If you decide to stay with the FX3's let me know and I'll see what all I have.
(Left you a note at the "other" place also.
:cheers:

[RussMcB]

I may be mistaken, but a coil-over set up can feel exactly the same as the stock set up if the spring rates and shock settings are similar. To say coil-overs are not good for the street sounds wrong to me. It seems more likely the spring rates or shocks are to blame, not "coil-overs".

I think the reasons to change to coil overs are,

More options for spring rates
More options for shock valving
Ability to adjust ride height (and corner weights).
High checkbook balances

[ALLTHECAMS]

I decided to go with the Van Steel street kit after getting feedback on social media from a Z owner who had them on his car. Hopefully they aren't too stiff. He seemed to like them.

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[lfalzarano]

Be careful of coil over ride height adjustment for street/driveway use.


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[Anniv88]

I put coilovers on my Z and went with the spring rates for the 95 Z.


The car is barley tolerable to drive in the touring setting.


My experience tells me if you have the same spring rates for leaf springs
and coil springs the coil springs are going to be much stiffer.

[RussMcB]

Hmm. A spring is a spring. A 500 lb spring takes 500lb to move an inch.

Are the ends of the stock leaf spring further outward than the lower shock mounts? That might mean you'd need a lighter coil spring to achieve the same wheel rate.

Just surmising. I've been happy with my stock suspension so haven't considered or investigated any changes.

[JimZRyd]

Van Steel coil overs on my 94 with a good set of NON RUNFLATS and she rides smooth as can be. I forget how many clicks I set them at but it’s extremely agile and responsive and very comfortable on road trips.

[rkreigh]

I had to do some tuning. Pete is right. I went from 450 fronts to 400 and from 300 to 250 in back


went with bansky rods I street drive my Z on the mean streets of DC and like the coil overs just fine


I think the vette brakes stuff has a nice rear knuckle support in lieu of relying on one bolt, but so far the DRM stuff I have is fine


I think that now there are better shocks than the fx3 though and I'd sure consider the new setup Demps has with adjustable shocks or the vette brakes setup


the bansky rods free up travel and knock out bushing "sticktion" at the mounting points and also reduce bushing squirm to make the car track better


stiffen up the car with a 6 point or 4 point with kick outs if able as it helps quite a bit.