have 57 frame stripped preparing it to paint ,should i add the rear leaf spring bumbers,and later year (60) rear stabilizer bar? would they help ride?
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
Craig,
The bumper would only help in a bottom-out situation and the sway bar would only help cornering, not general ride quality. You would have to weld brackets to the frame for the links to attach to and this addition would probably detract from the value of your 57. The later cars also had radius rods which kept the axle from winding up, but this too is a pretty involved change and would also detract form the value of your car.
Regards, John McGrawComment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
Do what makes YOU happy and stay away from judgeing.Comment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
John Mc Graw has got it right...Comment
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c-1 rear suspension improvement
thanks for the comments,not concerned about having the car judged,just building a nice driverComment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
My exact sentiments. The real appeal of the Corvette is the aesthetics, the wind in what little hair we have left, the admiring glances of the 20 something set ( not to mention teenagers) and the rattle of the receeding exhaust along a country lane on a crisp Fall afternoon. The rivet counters don't really have a clue about the essence of a Corvette.Comment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
Craig and Dennis,
Here is what I did, back during the Cival War days (just joking)! But seriously, back when C1 parts were cheap (in 1974, but NOT NOW), I obtained a 60-62 rear housing, radius rods (traction bars) and rear sway bar from a salvage yard for about $100. I had the salvage yard use a torch to cut off the frame brackets (along with sections of a perfectly good frame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). I also gathered up all the attaching parts. So, my 56 now has a rear suspension up graded to that of a 60-62 (I also got the heavier front sway bar from another frame in the same yard). My 56 does handle better now than before the change. At the time I added the parts, the body was off of the frame, so it was easy to locate and weld the brackets onto my 56 frame.
Dennis,
You judged this car in Joplin back in the 80s (red with lots of chrome), do you remember it?Comment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
Craig,
Boyh additions are fairly easy to do and can be reversed in the future. The addition of the rearend with the radius rods will show the most benifit in straight-line aceleration while the sway bar will help cornering as will the heavier front bar. None of the above will however, help the straight-ahead driving ride. This is a function of our old 50 year old suspension design.
I did not mean to imply that I am against such additions, only to point out the implications. There are some cars which are good caniditates for judging and some that are not, but more important is to do what makes you happy. I have made a lot of good friends in this Hobby and some think I am crazy for building a Top Flight car and a lot think that I am crazy for buiding a tube framed C4 suspension 59 with a LS6 engine! The rest of my friends just think that I have a little balance in my life! Life is way too short to live it to please other people, so do what pleases you, but make good informed decisions!
Regards, John McGrawComment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
Gee Tom, I'm trying to remember if I've had a bowel movement today, let alone what car I may have judged in 1980. In any case, I consider it a privledge to judge any members car. Best, DennisComment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
The later radius rods act as traction bars but when the axle wraps up on a full power start the springs is twisted up right behind the front mount ,right where you add the weld on H-D sus. modification,the brackets and the bumper stop the spring when it starts to curl and the car squats down on the spring.
I had to have my springs re-arched twice in 25 years before adding the bumpers,but it hooks up super.The old after market no-hop bars would be a cheap ,fast,reversible substitute to altering your frame.Comment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
Frank,
Can you please tell me what "brackets & bumpers" you are referring to. I drive a highly modified '62 whose weakest link is the inherent wheel hop and the good chance of spring damage you refer to. The "weld" on the H-D suspension also has me stumped. Your further explanation will be much appreciated.
Thanks,
DennyComment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement-Denny
Denny,
The only way that I know of to totally eliminate spring wind-up upon "heavy" acceleration is to install a set of Traction Master (popular in the '60's)! The Corvette radius rods attached to the top of the rear housing does to a small extent prevent spring wind-up. They are much more effective for rear axle control under severe braking. If you draw a diagram of the force applied to the rear wheels and the spring in conjunction with shackle acton, you'll get a clear picture of why the rear spring can still wind-up with the top mounted radius rods. Place a rod (like a Traction Master) below the axle and you'll see it is impossible for the spring to wrap. Regards,Comment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
Sorry Denny
I was pretty vague in that my responce was meant for Craig and his 57,Yes you already have the radius rods on your 62, which stops the top of the axle from
twisting,now to slow the spring down by adding the" Heavy-duty brake and special steering" modification on page b259 of the 1962 (AIM) assembly manual.
LINK to diagram below.
Then take some hard card paper and make the bracket out of it for a template,after your happy with your bracket,yoy will need two rubber bumpers (suspension shop)and a piece of 3/16" plate to lay your template on ,mark and cut out two,one for each sides. I did mine in like in 1980 and welded it on like the diagram.But did one on a friends car and made a extra ear on the bottem and bolted it on his and threw the side ears,so he could easily remove it. I also welded the nut for the rubber so I could adjust the rubber up or down to the spring.......Does it work
That summer I splattered my original rear all over the road,but still drove home on half as many teeth on the ring gear.
See ya
FrankComment
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Re: c-1 rear suspension improvement
Thanks Frank. I have the AIM but have never made it to the last page to see the diagram. It looks like I now have another project for this summer.
DennyComment
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