Corvette Suspension Dimensions Needed

[geoffreyj318]

Where can I find information for mounting Corvette C4 or C5 suspension, on a custom frame?

[Mike Hall]

I have exhausted the net looking for such dimensions without any luck at all. Maybe someone will share these specs with us but I would not count on it.

Mike

[homerneedspeed]

i have them written down somewhere i'll look around to see if i can find them.

[novanutcase]

Download Performance Trends Suspension Analyzer. They have both front and back specs and more for whatever info you want on the C5 in there example files. You can also change around the specs and animate to see how it will change Camber, Scrub, etc.

[Jim Nilsen]

I got the dimensions for the C4 from my local collision center. I still had to do some math to get the wheel base however because it wasn't included. I was able to figure it out from them and ad the 12in. approximate for a 1st gen fbody. If you get the frame mounting points right the wheelbase follows naturally.

Jim Nilsen

[Tiger]

hey Jim,
I'd love that C4 info as well, can you post them or email them?

thanks

[Mike Hall]

Thanks for that info Novanutcase. I think I can draw up a subframe with the info given my that program.

Mike

[novanutcase]

Mike!

No Prob! Le me know what you come up with as I am also trying to learn the program and since you are doing pretty much the same thing I am I'd love to see what you come up with!

JOhn

[Tiger]

Hey John,

where can I download the program?

thanks

[novanutcase]

Tiger!

http://www.performancetrends.com/SuspAnzr.htm

Good Luck and let me know if you figure out how it works. I haven't been able to really make it do what I want it to but what I have done has been eye opening!

[geoffreyj318]

Thanks for the info. I downloaded the software, and got the C5 dimensions. How close are C4 dimensions to C5 dimensions?

[Samckitt]

If you have the rear C4 mounting dimensions, I would love to have them.

Thanks,
Scot

[Twin_Turbo]

Do you need the batwing mounting dimensions? It's 95cm from bushing center to bushing center.

[Tiger]

Thanx nova, i'll download when I have time.

[Samckitt]

The location of the forward "dog bone" arms in relation to the batwing is what I would like to have.
Thanks

[Twin_Turbo]

Why stick with the stock position, might as well customize it to give a virual swing arm to suit your application, makes centering the wheel in the wheel well easier also if you make them adjustable.

[pav8427]

I'd be interested in dimensions for the C4 rack and pinion unit if anyone has that.
Inner tie rod pivot point spread and mount dimensions off centerline would be great.

Doug

[Porterbuilt]

I'd be interested in dimensions for the C4 rack and pinion unit if anyone has that.
Inner tie rod pivot point spread and mount dimensions off centerline would be great.

Doug

C4 rack and pinion has a 26" center on the inner tie-rod pivots. It mounts with a clamp style on the pass. side and a bolt through a bushing on the driver's side... I can measure it up tomorrow.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=212001

You can see some pics of how it mounts at this link.

[ragtopdodge]

I'd like to know the rotor face to rotor face width of the '86-88 C4 rear and the '88-92 rear end.

I've got one of each, one for my '70 Challenger and one for my '71 Barracuda. Was wondering how much I may have to narrow (I think the earlier one is 1.5" narrower) since e-body rear ends are 61 5/8" drum to drum.

[Porterbuilt]

The 88-96 is 63.5" hub to hub with the rotors in place... this is with the half-shafts paralell to the ground.

[ragtopdodge]

The 88-96 is 63.5" hub to hub with the rotors in place... this is with the half-shafts paralell to the ground.

Great thanks. How wide are the 84-87s?

[Porterbuilt]

ragtopdodge-
I had to verify my numbers before I spit out incorrect info. The early and late C4 rears are the same width... it's specified as being 62.0" hub face to hub face, but my tape measure reads 63.5". (It could be the difference in the angle of the half-shafts when measured, my measurement is with the half-shafts parallel to the ground). The main difference between the early and late rear-ends is that the early rears have internal parking brakes.

[orphancars]

I'd like to know the rotor face to rotor face width of the '86-88 C4 rear and the '88-92 rear end.

See here:

http://www.seattlestreetrods.com/corvette_suspension.htm

You're looking at 61.5" (older) to 62.5" (newer).

That page is a good quick reference for hub to hub width, available ratios, brakes, etc.




-jeff d

[70 LS1]

Anyone have width info for the C5 front and rear?

[boodlefoof]

70 LS1, download the demo of Performance Trends' Suspension Analyzer program. It has all of the C5 dimensions.

[70 LS1]

Thanks, I'll take a look at it.

[novanutcase]

Check this link out:

http://www.idavette.net/facts/c5specs/index.htm

[Scooter70]

I put all of the C5 suspension dimensions in an Excel sheet in this thread (https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13842) for easy reference.

Whatcha doing over here Jeff?

[LS1MonteSS]

I put all of the C5 suspension dimensions in an Excel sheet in this thread (https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13842) for easy reference. Whatcha doing over here Jeff? Scooter, I know this is an old thread.. But I still need all the C5 suspension dimensions. I need to do a CAD drawing for ART Morrison so I can show them what I need for my 05 GTO. Thx.

[Lamoogle]

What are you going to be doing to your GTO? I ask, because I have an 06!

[LS1MonteSS]

I'm ditching all the OE GTO suspension on my 05.
I have all the C5 UCAs and LCAs from another project. I'll be using a Viper HD diff. rather than the C5 set up. That way I can keep it drive shaft driven.

I'm working with a friend at AME on some new frame components and I need to do a CAD drawing so he can see what they have that I can use to piece this thing together.
I live in the AME catalog. They have alot of the parts. I just need to do up a drawing to capture all that's needed. But the info I have come across are always missing this or that.

I had found one guy doing a custom MG that had the components on CAD but he hasn't replied back yet..

Thx,
Kevin

[Lamoogle]

I love my GTO, but it's suspension is lacking for sure.

Sounds like a cool setup and I would love to see it once you get going on it!

[LS1MonteSS]

I love my GTO, but it's suspension is lacking for sure.

Sounds like a cool setup and I would love to see it once you get going on it!

Yeah Lam, I said the same thing once I had mine for a while and I started asking around for susgestions for upgrading it.
That car is such a blast to drive. The over all weight is a tad high, that can be fixed though! LOL

I'm sure you pooked around in the LS2GTO forum. All they told me was pedders. A few guys have done some rear arm mods and modified the rear wheel wells. Nothing really that can be had on the market.

I have a few leads on some CAD drawings I need to put some details into my design ideas but that is where I'm stuck for the moment. I'll be sure to let you know once I have some more info. PM me if you like.

Kevin

[LS1MonteSS]

I got the GM co-ordinates today. But I can't make heads or tails out of them.
Just looking through the info. There has to to be a a reference point in space to use to start with. you can't keep using 0,0.

I'm probably just jacking it up..

[keithq69]

Can you post what you got?
I am interested in this info also.

Thanks

Keith

[LS1MonteSS]

Keith,

Do you have AutoCAD? If you do I could use some assistance with this.
I do all my CAD stuff the Ole' Fashioned way by measuring it all out. I have never done anything via coordinates.

Kevin

[astroracer]

GM uses a point in space, out in front of the car, as the "Zero" point. The coordinates will be in X, Y & Z BUT they are UG based and +X is going down the length of the car, +Y is crosscar, out the passenger side (-Y is out the drivers side) and +Z is up. If you set up the front and rear suspension pts as listed you can measure everything back to the wheel centerline to establish a reference pt. Use the front wheel centerline to adjust the wheelbase to match your build car. Once you have that relationship established you can adjust the points in Performance trends to optimize your new suspension.
Just keep in mind any changes to track or suspension widths will make the Corvette rack obsolete. Try to maintain the geometry as close to the Corvette specs as possible unless you want to buy a custom rack.
Mark

[Samckitt]

I'm assuming you have the same CAD file that I have, looks like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


I drew a few lines between points, assuming the suspension looks like. Not sure what the other points are:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

This all looks to be the link points, or rotation points of the suspension, not the mount points.

[astroracer]

I'm assuming you have the same CAD file that I have, looks like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


I drew a few lines between points, assuming the suspension looks like. Not sure what the other points are:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

This all looks to be the link points, or rotation points of the suspension, not the mount points.

Yes, that is how the points are laid out. They are the rotation points of the bushings and ball studs. With those points you can design ANY type of bushing or control arm as long as you maintain clearances at Jounce, Rebound and right and left lock. That is where the Motion side of UG comes in very handy... That is what I did when I designed the suspension for the van.
Mark

[LS1MonteSS]

GM uses a point in space, out in front of the car, as the "Zero" point. The coordinates will be in X, Y & Z BUT they are UG based and +X is going down the length of the car, +Y is crosscar, out the passenger side (-Y is out the drivers side) and +Z is up. If you set up the front and rear suspension pts as listed you can measure everything back to the wheel centerline to establish a reference pt. Use the front wheel centerline to adjust the wheelbase to match your build car. Once you have that relationship established you can adjust the points in Performance trends to optimize your new suspension.
Just keep in mind any changes to track or suspension widths will make the Corvette rack obsolete. Try to maintain the geometry as close to the Corvette specs as possible unless you want to buy a custom rack.
Mark

I plan to set up base lines as you explained for visual reference while I'm doing these points.
- Would my base lines be set to the ride height for my project or the original corvette ride height?

[LS1MonteSS]

Sam & Mark,

Ok I have to be doing something wrong in how I'm inputting the coordinates I was given. I tried doing it via lines and that didn't work very well at all. Then I tried doing points like Sam and things seemed to remain in a straight line..
I will play around with it later today. I think I need to set my drawing template up differently so it is more in line with what Sam did. Pnce I can reproduce what he did then I'll know I'm on the right track.

Thx,
Kevin

[astroracer]

You mentioned "drawing" template... This has to be done in 3D. Most drawing templates are going to be 2D, X and Y plane, and that may be where your problem is stemming from. Make sure you are on the 3D side of AutoCad when you plug in the points.

[LS1MonteSS]

I think that is my issue.. I tried to verify if my verson of CAD is the LT verson or not. But it just comes up AutoCAD 2002.
I'm sure there is a work around for this issue. it just means I'll have to work a little harder.

I have a couple new versions of CAD at home. I will check those out and see. I have 3DS Max. But that isn't any good at all for this sort of thing.

Still Trying!!,
Kevin

[Samckitt]

Within NX (Formerly Unigraphics) I have a program that will insert points into my CAD model based on the X,Y,Z values present in a text file. I ran that to get the points, then looked at it & tried to determine what everything was. At some point I decided that it was the pivot points of the suspension joints & started drawing lines to help understand what everything was. This data may be useful for the suspension analyzer, & may be of some use for designing a frame to use Vette suspension. But I was hoping for actual mount points, or CAD models.

[LS1MonteSS]

Scot,
Do you happen to have a location where I can pick up NX?

Let me get this corridnate thing worked out then I'll git someone up for mount points.

I originally was hoping for the actual suspension parts on cad. But I got the points.

[Samckitt]

Scot,
Do you happen to have a location where I can pick up NX?

Let me get this corridnate thing worked out then I'll git someone up for mount points.

I originally was hoping for the actual suspension parts on cad. But I got the points.

LOL, not unless you have umpteen thousand dollars to spend on it.

[LS1MonteSS]

I had a feeling that you were going to say that...

I'm hoping I can find a way to work around the input issue with the LT version of CAD that I have.

[Samckitt]

I had a feeling that you were going to say that...

I'm hoping I can find a way to work around the input issue with the LT version of CAD that I have.

Sorry. I could probably translate the file I have to a DXF file & send it to you.

[LS1MonteSS]

Can I use a DFX file in LT?
If you think I can use them that would be awesome!

I did check out my other cad programs.. My new system can't open them. One is Civil 3D, AutoCAD R14, and AutoCAD 2011.
Talk about frustrating..

My work CAD is out of the question as well. Some bean counter decided we only needed a reader (basically an LT version) for reviewing plans.

Thx,
Kevin

[Samckitt]

What is LT, is that some sort of AutoCAD Lite? I don't know what you can open with it. A DXF file is basic AutoCAD format, assuming it could, you would have to find out & tell me.

[LS1MonteSS]

I'm sorry I should have laid that out.. Yes, by "LT" I ment AutoCAD Lite.

[LS1MonteSS]

Scot,
Well a friend got me a copy of Full AutoCAD 2013. It seems kinda like 3DS Max.
Now I have to figure out how to set up a 3D workspace and how these points get laid in.

[iyoung]

Did You find that Information I am also interested in doing a custom chassis and using the c6 rear c5 front suspension that information would be of great help Thank You

[dhutton]

Did You find that Information I am also interested in doing a custom chassis and using the c6 rear c5 front suspension that information would be of great help Thank You
Take a look at the adapters made by Dobbertin Performance.

Don