So that's is why car is so stiff.(FE7)
10-14-2014, 01:33 AM
#1
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So that's is why car is so stiff.(FE7)
As I was replacing my front susp. Ball joints,bushings and shocks I realized that my car has the performance susp. Option. 1 and an eighth in front sway bar,rear sway bar and 7 leaf rear spring.I find it odd that a 1978 L48 auto would be optioned as such but all the FE7 stuff is there.
10-14-2014, 07:37 AM
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Go here http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...x.php?cmd=area and see if you can obtain a copy of the original dealer invoice for your car. The invoice will list the options installed on your car when it left St. Louis.
10-14-2014, 03:11 PM
#5
I actually like the Gymkhana suspension. Great handling, sure you feel every bump, but if it isnt a daily driver, its great! Im actually gonna change the setup on my 82, like I did on the first 82 I had. 550lb coils in front, with a 360# monoleaf spring in rear, and Bilstein Sport shocks.
Last edited by JEFF WHITTINGTON; 10-15-2014 at 01:59 PM.
10-15-2014, 02:41 AM
#7
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10-15-2014, 02:56 PM
#8
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IMHO, having run 4 different front spring rates on my shark over the years, including Daytona 860's, I consider the FE7 ones only a moderate rate. (BBSS subscribers, please just look the other way.)
10-15-2014, 05:37 PM
#9
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It sure does. The rough ride was one of the things that made me hesitate when I bought my '79. Asked for advice on softening up the ride and lots of people told me there was nothing to be done about it and said I was stupid to expect better. Fortunately I found out they were wrong.
10-15-2014, 05:50 PM
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It sure does. The rough ride was one of the things that made me hesitate when I bought my '79. Asked for advice on softening up the ride and lots of people told me there was nothing to be done about it and said I was stupid to expect better. Fortunately I found out they were wrong.
Sadly...too many times blinder people will tell someone that it can't be done or they are wrong,
Then some people like yourself thinks beyond that and makes it happen.
I personally think the gymkhana option was trying to appeal to people who wanted extra performance, GM wasn't about to boost HP so slap on a stiff handling package...
( was it a hot seller ? )
10-15-2014, 06:15 PM
#12
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I'm not a BBSS subscriber, fwiw.
Springs do things beyond roll control that sway bars simply can not do.I should clarify; my car rides "firm", but not intolerable. There are situations where it sucks (really torn up roads, loose pavement), but it's good on most roads in reasonable conditions. The base springs are night-and-day though, IMO.
10-15-2014, 06:46 PM
#13
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Of course, tho I hate to admit, many are those who never push a C3 hard enough to notice. For them soft to medium springs will do, and I have no problem with that. And, FWIW, my snarky BBSS remark wasn't aimed your direction, nor anyone else's posting on this thread, thus far.
10-15-2014, 07:05 PM
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10-15-2014, 07:08 PM
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Its been a while since I looked into this. I know the front sway bar is thicker on the FE7 suspension than it is on the base suspension but I don't recall the exact dimensions. If I recall correctly (and I'm far from sure about this) I think the FE7 suspension has a rear sway bar and the base suspension does not.
10-15-2014, 07:09 PM
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Yes, indeed they do. Of course, tho I hate to admit, many are those who never push a C3 hard enough to notice. For them soft to medium springs will do, and I have no problem with that.
And, FWIW, my snarky BBSS remark wasn't aimed your direction, nor anyone else's posting on this thread, thus far.
Of course, tho I hate to admit, many are those who never push a C3 hard enough to notice. For them soft to medium springs will do, and I have no problem with that. And, FWIW, my snarky BBSS remark wasn't aimed your direction, nor anyone else's posting on this thread, thus far.
lets see a show of hands as to who actaully puts their c3 on a track.....
10-15-2014, 07:19 PM
#17
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If I want my car to ride like a Cadillac, I'll drive a Cadillac 
10-15-2014, 07:22 PM
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I did some looking and the base suspension does not have a rear sway bar while the heavy duty suspension does and also has a 1 &1/8 inch or 1& 3/32 inch front sway bar.
10-15-2014, 07:25 PM
#19
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Just because you don't want your Corvette to ride like it does with an FE7 suspension doesn't mean you need to drive a Cadillac. This is not an all or nothing situation, many people not liking the FE7 suspension will find the base suspension just fine.
10-15-2014, 09:53 PM
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