2006 Corvette

[Murlo26]

Glad you got the problem fixed! Can't wait to see this in person some time!

[asshanson]

I got the almost-new z51 springs and shocks installed last night, took about 4 hours because I didn't know what I was doing and had to go off basic written directions without any pictures. That being said, it was pretty straightforward once I figured out unbolting the swaybar and upper control arms was by far the easiest way to let the whole hub down the furthest. Plus they don't have any adjustment so I didn't have to worry about getting them back to the same position to maintain my alignment.

Here is the old suspension out:
http://www.dsmstyle.com/photopost/data/500/old_suspension.jpg

Kracka was asking me earlier about raising/lowering the stock suspension. The spring is only attached to the subframe in two locations (where the bands of rubber around the spring are in the pic above), like this pic shows:
http://101corvetteprojects.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/012909-0537-pfadtcorvet4.jpg?w=480
The ends of the spring just rest on the circular rubber pads that are touching a flat area on the lower control arm. The pads are attached to a bolt that you can thread up or down which affects how far away that rubber pad is from the spring, which will lower or raise the car.

Shiny new front spring and shocks about to go in:
http://www.dsmstyle.com/photopost/data/500/new_front_suspension.jpg

Installing the new spring, yay for no rust! I had absolutely no trouble with any bolts.
http://www.dsmstyle.com/photopost/data/500/installing_front_spring.jpg

I took it out for a drive last night for a quick test, but it was 50* and damp out so I couldn't really tell if it corners any better, it was just sliding. However, it did stiffen up the ride a tiny bit which feels great, definitely more feedback now and it feels a little more like a sports car. The base springs and shocks were pretty cushy imho. Hopefully more testing in the next few days, looking forward to the cruise next weekend.

[turbotalon1g]

Nice work. Working on stuff that isn't rusty is awesome.

My last 2 DSMs were sans rust.

[scheides]

This thing fukin rips!

You must have gotten nearly 1000 miles this weekend on that new suspension, how do you like it?

[goodhart]

^^x2.

The ride in this thing is very nice, I was expecting more lumber wagon-ness. LOL

[asshanson]

Yep about 1000 miles this weekend. It was definitely a softer ride before, but I like how it is now. There really is no difference in ride quality on the highways, and it's not really that much worse over bumps. However, I still haven't pushed it that hard on any corners to see how it handles at the limit. I think I hit maybe .8 G's on a couple corners, but most of them were less than .5 or so.

[s1ngletracker]

wow, that is the weirdest suspension setup i've ever seen. A laterally oriented leaf spring on the FRONT?

edit: in case anyone is curious: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvette_leaf_spring

Pretty interesting, and not a terrible idea. Actually acts somewhat as a sway bar.

[C3L1CA]

Thing sounded nice in the one video of it from this weekend!

[Kracka]

This thing is a beast! Thanks for the ride and thanks for the explanation with pictures above.

[PlanoEvo]

Very nice indeed andrew I enjoyed riding in your car it's fucking fast :sasmokin: