Lowering my Z: wedges vs coilovers - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

ALLTHECAMS · 11-16-2019

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 · 11-16-2019

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 · 11-16-2019

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 · 11-16-2019

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

TX '90 ZR1 · 11-16-2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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.

RussMcB · 11-16-2019

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 · 11-18-2019

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.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

lfalzarano · 11-18-2019

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

Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

Anniv88 · 11-20-2019

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 · 11-20-2019

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.

11-16-2019	#2
FormulaReed Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Seattle Posts: 62	Re: Lowering my Z: wedges vs coilovers 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.

11-16-2019	#3
Karl Join Date: May 2013 Location: Chicago Posts: 977	Re: Lowering my Z: wedges vs coilovers 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. __________________ 1993 ZR-1 #211 Yellow On Beige Beast #2 1992 ZR-1 #427 Black On Black Sold 1985 L98 Blue On Blue Sold

11-16-2019	#6
RussMcB Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Marietta, GA USA Posts: 1,160	Re: Lowering my Z: wedges vs coilovers 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

11-18-2019	#7
ALLTHECAMS Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Bloomington, MN Posts: 127	Re: Lowering my Z: wedges vs coilovers 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. Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk __________________ 1991 ZR-1 #520 Arctic White/Gray

11-18-2019	#8
lfalzarano Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Clayton, North Carolina Posts: 1,133	Re: Lowering my Z: wedges vs coilovers Be careful of coil over ride height adjustment for street/driveway use. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ Lou[COLOR="Red"][B][SIZE="4"][/SIZE][/B][/COLOR]

11-20-2019	#9
Anniv88 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: East Peoria, IL Posts: 56	Re: Lowering my Z: wedges vs coilovers 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.