Brakes on a 64

[Joe Battocletti]

I have a 64 and want to rebuild the suspension for the safest and best performance ride. I am interested in installing disc brakes all the way around and upgrading the suspension. I guess what I'm looking for is members experience with all of the after market stuff that's out there. is it better to rebuild as is or install some of the handling equipment IE: higher tension springs,sway bars, shocks etc. My main goal is to have a fine handling touring car that is as technically sound as possible. I know this sounds like a lot but any help is greatly appreciated.

joe

[Jim T.]

Re: Brakes on a 64

Joe I speak from experience on most of this. First Corvette I owned was a 64, wish I knew where its at, I want it back. Any way on my 68 and 70 I have changed the rear spring to the fiberglass type. I don't recommend using the 360# spring from Vette Brakes for everyday driving. I have the 360# on both of mine and on city streets its just a little bouncy. I would like to try the 330# to see how it is. I still have the original front springs on the 68 and they are working fine for me. On the 70 I first tried the #518 spring from GM as replacements and liked the stiffer springs. These might lower your 64 in the front. My original front springs on my 70 had settled, so the #518 springs did not significantly lower my car but did improve the handling. Later I put the fiberglass #330 spring from Vette Brakes and liked the improvement in handling even more. Later I switched to a complete Vette Brakes transverse fiberglass spring, lower and upper control arms, big ole sway bar, and added a sway bar to the rear. This car corners flat and feels the best on the interstate-like smooth roads at high speed. I don't compete this car, so it is really overdone for my not everyday but occasional driving. You asked for input, mine is try some stiffer springs and either the 300# or 330# fiberglass spring and some good shocks and perhaps some stiffer sway bars. One thing my 68 and 70 don't do anymore is the common squatting of the rear when you get on it.

[Duke W.]

You have to start with tires

Tires grip accounts for about 80 to 90 percent of the handling equation and at least fifty percent of ride. Tires are where you start, and your wheel width will determine to some degree what tire you can install. Beyond that leaving everything in production configuration is your best bet with the exception of shock absorbers.

Duke

[Michael W.]

Re: Brakes on a 64

I installed a fibreglass spring on my C3 and am pleased with the smoother ride. An absolute must is to also fit MUCH stiffer shocks at the same time, as the glass spring is much more compliant in response to road irregularities, and can set up a pogo-ing motion severe enough to make you reach for the seasickness pills. A brand-new set of GM replacements is still too soft.

During my rebuild, I also fell victim to advertising hype and installed poly bushings everywhere. Big mistake. Squeaks. I'm sure a lot of people will say that theirs don't squeak. I'm sure they're right, they don't squeak-yet.

For the average everyday driving that 99.99% of us do with our plastic toys, there is NO benefit to poly bushings.