09-07-2020 | #1 |
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 953
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1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
As the old girl is 30 years old, and though low mileage and well kept, I'm guessing there are lots of rubber parts in the suspension that ain't what they once were.Plus, time moves on, and even in the run of the ZR-1, there were improvements made. So, my question is, do I just restore it to what she was in 1990, or go mostly stock, and upgrade to the 1993+ FX3 setup. Hib Halverson has written a fair bit about the changes, and John Heinricy sure seemed to think they were a good thing. I understand the Bilstein controller needs to be updated too, but it isn't a big thing. Springs change also.
So my thoughts are first: New stock FX3 Bilsteins or 1993 FX3? And here's where it gets harder: New bushings. From what I understand, the stock bushings are no longer available. As I'm planning to keep my ZR-1 as a grand tourer, and the roads in this part of the world are not exactly smooth, I'd prefer not to add any impact harshness. So what's the best option I have for bushings? What are my goals? Great steering feel and response, a comfortable controlled ride with minimal impact harshness, and great stability. Finally, I know there are some rear suspension kits available. Is there anything I want to look into there? And yes, I'd prefer to keep it stockish, and not go to coilovers.
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1990 ZR-1 # 996 "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy |
09-07-2020 | #2 |
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: McLean, VA
Posts: 3,721
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
To start, 90 to 91 from what I understand has stiffer springs (compared to 92 to 95) and softer shocks (again, relative to later Zs). Later FX3 shocks will bolt right in but may require later controllers. I believe actuators are the same. I think SRC controller may interconnect with BCM and have no clue if later controller will play nice with 90 to 91 BCM. If you go this route, may consider changing springs also. I would recomend trimming off pucks at the end of front spring to reduce higher ride height Of later cars. This probably was done to keep front air dam from scraping due to softer spring.
As for the bushings, you might consider Super Pro bushings which are softer compared to urethane bushings. https://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=31253 https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...usp_chart.html Last edited by secondchance; 09-07-2020 at 08:38 PM. |
09-07-2020 | #3 | |
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 953
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
Quote:
Thanks for the heads up on the Super Pro bushings. I'll take a look.
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1990 ZR-1 # 996 "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy |
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09-07-2020 | #4 |
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 953
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
Maybe @hib halverson has some thoughts on this.
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1990 ZR-1 # 996 "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy |
09-07-2020 | #5 |
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 953
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
Oops. And after rereading a bit, the title should read "... or upgrade to 92+".
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1990 ZR-1 # 996 "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy |
09-08-2020 | #6 |
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Brooklyn ny
Posts: 1,045
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
Yeah urethane sucks....I mean yeah if you have roads where its as smooth as your hardwood floors in your house go for it..
I lowered my 91 in the back and totally love the look but replaced with urethane....Not happy with the ride on uneven roadways.. Going to put my stock bushings back in..Their in decent shape... |
09-08-2020 | #7 |
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: fort worth
Posts: 183
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
What do you mean by low mileage?
My '90 has 33k miles and all the rubber bushings are original and still in great shape. Still rides like a new car. Surface cracks in the rubber doesn't necessarily mean the bushings are bad. In a low mileage car, those cracks are often superficial and the rubber underneath is still good. |
09-08-2020 | #8 | |
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 953
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
Quote:
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1990 ZR-1 # 996 "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy |
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09-08-2020 | #9 | |
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: New Brunswick
Posts: 953
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
Quote:
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1990 ZR-1 # 996 "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy |
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09-08-2020 | #10 | |
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: fort worth
Posts: 183
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Re: 1990 ZR-1 Suspension - Restoration or Upgrade to 93+?
Quote:
Now I focus only on mileage wear. If it's old but low mileage, I leave it alone. |
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