Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

[Darryl D.]

[Leif A.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

Aside from radial tires what can be used from the better riding (1973 up) Corvette’s to improve the ride of a 1965 without sacrificing any handling.

New Delco (Monroe) gas shocks. Also, be sure all your rubber bushings are in serviceable condition. Tie rod ends and ball joints tight...front and rear springs at correct height. You can use all the stock '65 components to update your suspension...no need to re-invent the wheel. The two biggest change items will be a quality set of radials (205/75R15 or 215/70R15) and gas shocks. Keep it simple!!

[Darryl D.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

New Delco (Monroe) gas shocks. Also, be sure all your rubber bushings are in serviceable condition. Tie rod ends and ball joints tight...front and rear springs at correct height. You can use all the stock '65 components to update your suspension...no need to re-invent the wheel. The two biggest change items will be a quality set of radials (205/75R15 or 215/70R15) and gas shocks. Keep it simple!!

I thought the 1973 up "radial tuned" suspension had softer body mount biscuits?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

I thought the 1973 up "radial tuned" suspension had softer body mount biscuits?

Which would then lift your body about an inch, changing other relationships as well.

If you want a better ride, buy a nice used C5.
Otherwise radials and good shocks will help.

[Darryl D.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

OK, thanks to all.

[Gene M.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

Rear cam brace is offset where as the mid year one is not. Adding rack and pinion with a faster ratio improves feel.

I don’t have any modifications to the sway bar except cushions on my 65. But a rear bar in conjunction with a front bar should help.

The biggest factor is the tires you select.

[Edward J.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

I myself like the old school shocks without gas charge, The gas charge shock seem to have a slightly harsher ride, C2 and C3 had rebound only shocks from the factory. For handling gas charge is the way to go, for comfort I think if you can find a older Delco shock you will like them.

[David H.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

Aside from radial tires what can be used from the better riding (1973 up) Corvette’s to improve the ride of a 1965 without sacrificing any handling.

Darryl,

Significant improvement in ride can be made but would necessitate non Corvette components (nothing that cannot be reversed). If that option is acceptable, then:

What you need to do is significantly reduce unsprung weight (mass). Light weight wheels, tires, brake calipers, brake roters, etc will improve ride quality.

Light weight wheels, tires and brake rotors also improve performance (acceleration) by reducing rotational mass. Handling also improves as tires stay better in contact with pavement.

Do a web search on “unsprung mass” for details.

Dave

[Duke W.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

It would help if you would be more specific about the ride deficiencies you observe. In my experience, base suspension C2/3s have a decent overall ride due to modest wheel rates.

If "body bounce" is excessive traversing bumps or dips the shocks likely have insufficient rebound damping. What shocks are installed now, and how old are they?

One of the most overlooked components of these cars is the rear spring link cushions. Over time they compress and harden, which results in lost ride height and considerably increased rear suspension harshness. New cushions will eliminate the harshness and restore ride height, however, I have been told by others that the current repro cushions harden and crack much sooner than OE.

They are easy to change, but be careful. With the car on a level surface and the front wheels chocked, use a floor jack with a block of wood on the puck placed as far outboard as possible while allowing sufficient working clearance. Jack up the spring until the link is loose, then remove the nut and lower cushions/retainers, and pull the bolt with the upper bushings/retainers out through the top.

It's a good idea to remove the cotter pins and test that the nuts are not frozen. If they are, apply some Liquid Wrench or equivalent to unseize them.

There is no need to "aftermarket engineer" the suspension or steering system, but at the same time you can't expect a vintage Corvette to ride as well as a modern car.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

It would help if you would be more specific about the ride deficiencies you observe. In my experience, base suspension C2/3s have a decent overall ride due to modest wheel rates.

If "body bounce" is excessive traversing bumps or dips the shocks likely have insufficient rebound damping. What shocks are installed now, and how old are they?

One of the most overlooked components of these cars is the rear spring link cushions. Over time they compress and harden, which results in lost ride height and considerably increased rear suspension harshness. New cushions will eliminate the harshness and restore ride height, however, I have been told by others that the current repro cushions harden and crack much sooner than OE.

They are easy to change, but be careful. With the car on a level surface and the front wheels chocked, use a floor jack with a block of wood on the puck placed as far outboard as possible while allowing sufficient working clearance. Jack up the spring until the link is loose, then remove the nut and lower cushions/retainers, and pull the bolt with the upper bushings/retainers out through the top.

It's a good idea to remove the cotter pins and test that the nuts are not frozen. If they are, apply some Liquid Wrench or equivalent to unseize them.

There is no need to "aftermarket engineer" the suspension or steering system, but at the same time you can't expect a vintage Corvette to ride as well as a modern car.

Duke

Duke------


The spring cushions are still available from GM under the original part number of GM #3831586. They are about 5 bucks each, GM list.

[Darryl D.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

Duke------


The spring cushions are still available from GM under the original part number of GM #3831586. They are about 5 bucks each, GM list.

That part number returns no results in a search on Willcox Corvette site.

[Joe L.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

That part number returns no results in a search on Willcox Corvette site.

Darryl----

I can't speak to their web-site but I can say that GM #3831586 is the correct part number for the cushions and they're still available from GM (unless it's been discontinued in the past month).

[Leif A.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

That part number returns no results in a search on Willcox Corvette site.

Darryl,
You can go to your local Chevy parts counter and order that part number...easy peasy.

[Duke W.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

Duke------


The spring cushions are still available from GM under the original part number of GM #3831586. They are about 5 bucks each, GM list.

Thanks for chiming in with that info, Joe. Given the reports I have heard about the aftermarket cushions, I highly recommend buying the GM parts. If your existing cushions are compressed, hard, and cracked, it's the best 20 bucks you can spend to improve ride quality. I expect that many C2/3 have the original bushings and the owners are wondering why the rear suspension is so harsh.

BTW any GMPD part number can be ordered through any GM dealer... local or internet. I used to order a lot of Corvette and Cosworth Vega parts from a nearby Buick dealer who gave me a trade discount. I had the requisite P&A catalogs, so I just walked up to the counter with the part numbers I wanted, which made it easy on the guys because they didn't have to look anything up.

Duke

[Tom G.]

Re: Improving C2 ride with 1973 up components.

Just searched 3831586 on the GM parts site.called a dampener.. on sale for $3.85 apiece. Shipping cost for 4 is $14 and change.