Worked this winter on my 1981 Vette's suspension.Replaced front springs( raise my front end 2".) New rear spring (Mono). New gas shocks and 4 wheel alignmnet. These are factory GM parts yet the ride is hard and stiff. Handling corners at high speed great but wish i'd get a better ride. Would a bigger tire help? Have 225's on it now maybe 255? Can anyone advuce.
Thanks,
Roxy

roxysvette said: Replaced front springs( raise my front end 2".) New rear spring (Mono). New gas shocks and 4 wheel alignmnet. These are factory GM parts yet the ride is hard and stiff. Handling corners at high speed great but wish i'd get a better ride. Would a bigger tire help? Have 225's on it now maybe 255? Can anyone advuce. Thanks, Roxy

did you use an f-41 suspension?? did you put BB springs in a SB? do you know what you springs are rated at?

as for better ride with bigger tire.. im going to say no.. others might disagree..

i am a big fan of wider tires... but when you live someplace with crappy roads (like me) then you have to deal with the ruts in the road not being as wide as your tires.. this makes it seem even worse (but I like a rough ride)..

and a 225/70 and 255/60 have roughly the same sidewall height.. meaning you wont get any more cushion from your tire..

i dont think wider will help..

You guys that have a stiff ride problem have to remember that you are driving a sports car,for a sports car to handle they have be sprung low and stiff with tires to match,15"- 60's to start to 17"-40's,with all due respect if you want a soft ride, drive a boat,it's just the nature of the beast, I'd mentioned in another thread that Elderbroch makes a shock that has valving that changes instantly to road conditions,they act stiff on a smooth road and react instantly and soften for a rough bumpy road, you might call them and see what they have to say, then let us know

I have to agree with Ben. The sidewall will be the same so it won't help. It will probably be a bit worse due to the overall effect of the tire.
I also agree with Joe. It's a sports car. If you have gone with the stock suspension and find it too rough, Oh Well. I don't mean to be rude and forgive me. But to be sure, what is your stock suspension? Aftermarket replacement is not the same. Performance suspension is stock, but much stiffer. Urathane bushings are stiffer.
You need to look at each part.
And yes, variable valve shocks do help. I personally think they are floaty in the center positon and don't like them. My brother has a set and loves them. (No it's not a Vette) To each his own. Keep in mind these are very sensitive to ride height. The car must be in the original position for them to operate correctly.
If you use the carbon fiber spring in the rear it is smoother and softer. You may want to consider it.

Before you get too far into ride modifications, you need to look in the locator, find a few C3VR members in your area, and take a ride in their cars. That way you can make a fair comparisons of different options, and judge what you want, or what you already have.

anips said: You guys that have a stiff ride problem have to remember that you are driving a sports car,for a sports car to handle they have be sprung low and stiff with tires to match,15"- 60's to start to 17"-40's,with all due respect if you want a soft ride, drive a boat,it's just the nature of the beast,

couldnt agree more

if you want a smooth ride.. buy a caddy..

of the 4 vettes ive owned not one had/has a soft ride... even the c5..