Thread: Anybody have C4 Covette suspension in their streetrod?

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Last weekend at the Ford F100 Western Nationals, I won a raffle prize of a Corvette Suspension Installation Kit from Flat Out Engineering Flat Out Engineering suspension components, Corvette front and rear, for hot rods and street rods and trucks, coil-over shocks and springs.. The kit retails at $750. They've engineered kits to mount the C4 ('84-96) suspension under a variety of Chevy & Ford trucks plus a narrowed version for 35-40 Fords.

This got me thinking about my '37 Ford tudor sedan, which has the "old school" Mustang II, which works fine but isn't pretty and a 9" Ford rear with parallel leafs.
I've found a really cheap donor '84 Corvette from which I could get the both front & rear suspension if I decide this is worth pursuing but I wanted to see if any of you guys have any experience with these Corvette suspensions in streetrods or other vehicles.

If I decide to do this, I would probably consider selling my existing frame as a rolling chassis and start over with some new frame rails. Would appreciate hearing your pros & cons.....

Here are some pics of both front & rear installed in a '36 Ford chassis:
35-40 Ford chassis No 1_1.jpg35-40 Ford Chassis No. 3_1.jpg35-40 Ford Chassis No.4_1.jpg35-40 Ford Chassis No.2_1.jpg

You might do some more research...as I remember, the 84 Corvette was the first year of the new design and it rode really bad.....whatever they did in 85 corrected the problem....maybe it was just springs but you should check out the differences before you spring for a suspension. 84 corvettes are cheap because of the rough ride, the dash problems, and the PP engine (cuss fire).

Originally Posted by robot

You might do some more research...as I remember, the 84 Corvette was the first year of the new design and it rode really bad.....whatever they did in 85 corrected the problem....maybe it was just springs but you should check out the differences before you spring for a suspension. 84 corvettes are cheap because of the rough ride, the dash problems, and the PP engine (cuss fire).

Hey, thanks for the response Robot! That's good to know.

For what it's worth, the Flat Out Engineering kit replaces the OEM springs with coilovers, which would probably make some difference in the ride depending on their adjustability.

From what I can tell, '84-'87 suspension parts are interchangeable. The '88-'96 are about an inch or two wider, I think.

As for the donor car, I would only get the front & rear suspension. The rest of my car (drive train) would remain Ford!

The new coilovers would fix the spring problem for sure.....again, as I remember, the 84 original springs sucked but the newer ones would bolt in. The 84 rode like a rock and the 85 was smooth

That's a tough one to decide! How do you feel about updating the suspension technology in you car?

Or could you fit it to the truck???

In any event, it becomes a personal choice I think. If it was mine, I'd love 4 wheel independant suspension over a front I-beam! I don't care how many times folks tell me that solid axles on both ends can handle and ride nice, if that were true, every car manufacturer on the planet would still be using it!

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Randy - I was hoping that sometime in my lifetime I would see pictures or maybe even see that car run down the street under its own power. Sighhhhhhh

Go for it!!!!

I like the Vette suspension, as long as it doesn't use the stock spring, they're junk as Mike said. With the right spring rate, shock valving, and alignment they do handle like a go-cart!!!!! If you decide not to use it, keep your old pal Dave in mind!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by 34_40

That's a tough one to decide! How do you feel about updating the suspension technology in you car?

Or could you fit it to the truck???

In any event, it becomes a personal choice I think. If it was mine, I'd love 4 wheel independant suspension over a front I-beam! I don't care how many times folks tell me that solid axles on both ends can handle and ride nice, if that were true, every car manufacturer on the planet would still be using it!

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Actually, Mike, I would feel pretty great about updating the suspension technology in either of my vehicles! And that's part of the dilemma.

Actually, my truck is currently TWIN-I beam, which is only marginally better than a solid axle I suppose. I have power steering, disc brakes & limited slip rear end, which makes it decent to drive in LA. At some point I want to do some suspension mods on the truck but since it's my daily driver, I'm not sure this is the time. But who know? That's why I'm asking you guys for your thoughts....

Originally Posted by IC2

Randy - I was hoping that sometime in my lifetime I would see pictures or maybe even see that car run down the street under its own power. Sighhhhhhh

Go for it!!!!

I hear ya, Dave! I have actually driven it a lot under it's own power but I just didn't know you then....

If I end up doing this deal and if I can juggle things correctly, it may actually speed up the process. I thinking it would make more sense to try to sell my current frame as a rolling chassis to fund the new one. It may not be show quality but it's a really good driver chassis and already has the Mustang II, 9" rear, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc. I think it would be way too much work to make this chassis pretty enough for the corvette suspension.

There are a few SoCal companies that have 35-40 boxed frame rails & center sections that aren't too bad on price. If I brought the suspension & install kits to them, they could make it a roller pretty easy.

I need to check with California DMV about potential registration issues with adding a new frame & selling the old one.

Originally Posted by randyr

Actually, Mike, I would feel pretty great about updating the suspension technology in either of my vehicles! And that's part of the dilemma.

Actually, my truck is currently TWIN-I beam, which is only marginally better than a solid axle I suppose. I have power steering, disc brakes & limited slip rear end, which makes it decent to drive in LA. At some point I want to do some suspension mods on the truck but since it's my daily driver, I'm not sure this is the time. But who know? That's why I'm asking you guys for your thoughts....

I could see the dilemma while I was typing my first response.. And I knew the truck was you're daily driver but that would be such a cool mod to do to it!

But then you'll need another driver... And the hot rodder in you will want.. no, no, no.. make that "NEED" to "fix it up", you know, just a little modification to make it better!

And we love to spend you're money so, check with DMV and verify the new frame deal pricing then hoist the body again and go for it!

And you better make darn sure you share plenty of pictures with us or you'll never live it down!

Originally Posted by 34_40

I could see the dilemma while I was typing my first response.. And I knew the truck was you're daily driver but that would be such a cool mod to do to it!

But then you'll need another driver... And the hot rodder in you will want.. no, no, no.. make that "NEED" to "fix it up", you know, just a little modification to make it better!

And we love to spend you're money so, check with DMV and verify the new frame deal pricing then hoist the body again and go for it!

And you better make darn sure you share plenty of pictures with us or you'll never live it down!

Yeah, Mike, in some ways it would be easier to put it in my truck. I could have the bed off in an hour and the front clip would come off with 6 bolts if they aren't rusted on. Plus I wouldn't need the narrowed rack required for the 35-40 kit. But, I would wanna swap the engine and trans while I was at it. If money were no object I'd also put the new Boss 302 Coyote engine in there with a 6speed automatic & the Corvette suspension. I'd keep the body looking totally stock except lowered with some wide 17" steelies & factory bottle cap hup caps. But I don't want to do all that suspension work then have to fab motor mounts for the tired 352FE that's in it now.

So I turn my attention to the '37. Riding on Corvette rails sounds pretty awesome with a bored 302 & 5speed stick. Sure my current frame would be fine but it's far from "show quality" and would take many many hours/years to get it there. Cutting out the Mustang II to add the Corvette stuff would probably require a total refab on the front frame rails plus the center X-member needs to be replaced to better accommodate 2.5" exhaust, brake/clutch/MC/power booster and I still need to lower the rear end a couple of inches to get the ride height. Add up all these things and a few more, it makes more sense to sell this chassis to someone wants a good driver with upgrades and then add the Corvette stuff to new frame rails & center section.

Anyway, I'm still in the dreaming/research stage but rest assured, many pics will be posted with whichever direction I go!

If you are going to use the corvette suspension---use the steering rack also as it is a very important part of the whole deal--------

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

If you are going to use the corvette suspension---use the steering rack also as it is a very important part of the whole deal--------

Definitely, Jerry! If put it on my truck, I can use the OEM Corvette rack but if I go with the narrowed crossmember to fit my '37, they use a custom rack made by Unisteer. Either way, it sounds pretty fun to me!

Decisions.. Decisions.. Decisions..

I agree with your vision / thoughts on the truck! That would be so sweet!!

You know, You can always pass it all by and finish what you started too. Sometimes "winning" a prize is that in name only. I'm glad I don't have to make a choice like this. I want it all and I want it NOW! ROFL!!!

Look what I bought yesterday......now what??

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Pulled it out from under this car....
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