Early C4 ride and C1

[Walter F.]

I am read the book Corvette from the inside. The author claims that while they were designing the suspension they had only tested the car on smooth race tracks. When the car was sold to the public the ride especially on the Z51 car was herendous. I heard the solid axle cars were also herendous in ride. Just wondering if anyone has owned both a early C4 and a solid axle car. Do they ride alike?

[William C.]

Re: Early C4 ride and C1

I've owned several solid axle cars (still have a '62) and have owned/driven C-4 cars starting in 1983. The early C-4 cars were harsh in some respects, but neither
of my C-4 cars had the Z-51 package, although we had one in the engineering fleet I ran at work in the '84-85 era. Very hard to compare because of the performance advantages the C-4 suspension provided.

[Duke W.]

Re: Early C4 ride and C1

Car mags raved about the '84 Z51 when tested on smooth surfaces like they did with early cars before the official public launch due to lead times.

Once they got them on real roads, it was a different story.

Chevrolet significantly reduced the Z51 spring rates (and retuned the damping rates) for '85, and they were much more liveable on real world roads.

The C4 was light years ahead of the C1 in terms of chassis rigidity, suspension sophistication, sprung/unsprung weight ratio, etc., but by the same token the C4 is light years behind modern Corvettes.

Duke

[Jim L.]

Re: Early C4 ride and C1

When the car was sold to the public the ride especially on the Z51 car was herendous. I heard the solid axle cars were also herendous in ride. Just wondering if anyone has owned both a early C4 and a solid axle car. Do they ride alike?

My bride's track car, visible in my avatar, has C4 suspension and '84 Z51 springing. With a total weight of 2400 lbs, it probably represents an extreme case of ride (dis)comfort. I also have a '60 which I drive often.

The track car is an eyeball jiggler on anything but a smooth road. My '60 is smooth and pleasant.

Other than noting ride comfort, you really can't compare the two suspension designs. They come from different eras and were designed with different goals in mind.

Jim

[Paul H.]

Re: Early C4 ride and C1

I owned an 85 Z51 for about 3 years and have a 61 with modern radials. The 85 probably rode harder than my 61 even though I liked it alot. I know the 85 had been softened up a bit fromt he 84 Z51. It certainly outhandled the solid axle with ease. I also had an 87 with the softened up Z52. Better ride than the 85. The early C4's with the Z51 and Z52 suspensions were great handling cars.

[John D.]

Re: Early C4 ride and C1

I had a May 83 with Z51. I also had/have a bad back. Although I liked my early C4 the ride on it was similair to riding in an empty coal truck.
Solution was to run 15 lbs of air in the tires. Every time I drove the car I could hardly stand up for while. True story. JD

[Bill M.]

Re: Early C4 ride and C1

. I heard the solid axle cars were also herendous in ride. Just wondering if anyone has owned both a early C4 and a solid axle car. Do they ride alike?

The '84 Z51 suspension was about the same ride rate as a '57-'59 RPO 684 car; very stiff.
Tha standard solid axle suspension had a much softer ride rate.

[Walter F.]

Re: Early C4 ride and C1

From what I am reading seems the early C4s especially the 84 Z51 were the worst riding Corvettes sold to the public. Strange thing is that is what I own and I dont think its all that bad. I will admit it sometimes looses a radio speaker over some bumps but when you hit another it comes back on. Its the only Corvette I have ever owned and I love it. I figure small price to pay for what feels like your driving a slot car on twisty turns. I think Dave and his team got it right harsh ride and all.