FAQ
We use the complete C4 Corvette suspension system. This includes everything from the stock K-member to the factory composite mono-leaf springs.
We use any of the 1985-1996 suspensions. Out of those years there are two applications. The 85-87 or 88-96. The 85-87 is 1.5” narrower than 88-96. This will play a big part in the style of wheels that can be run; you will be able to have an extra .75” of lip showing on the rim when you run the 85-87suspension. This is a good choice for all you nostalgic guys who would prefer a little more lip on the wheels.
The fourth-generation Corvette came with a very modern suspension, designed to be used with wide wheels and tires. It is important to note that Corvette made cars with wheels up to 11" wide. This C4 suspension incorporates great geometry that works equally well on the street or at the race track. Highlights of the suspension include extensive use of aluminum, a fully independent front & rear design, composite springs, rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes and most importantly—all these elements were designed by Corvette to work together! This is not an accumulation of suspension, and braking parts, that just ended up being bolted together because they looked good, or simply made the wheels fit! Now here's the neat part—without any modification the C4 suspension is a perfect fit in `53-`82 Corvettes, `55-`57 Chevy's and `55-`59 Chevy trucks.
No, we do not modify the suspension. We strongly believe in GM research and design. For this reason we continue to implement all the factory GM mounting points of the C4 suspension.
The composite Corvette springs are the future. There is a reason that the brand new ZR1's have composite mono-leaf springs and not coil overs.
- Composite springs are lighter and more efficient than steel springs
- Composite springs have up to ten times the cycle life of a comparable steel spring
- Packaging of the composite springs is very efficient
- Factory mounting of the composite springs is designed to last maintenance free for up to 200K miles
- Linkage between suspension knuckles and A arms are designed to not put undue stresses on suspension components
- Our experience in modifying composite springs and the after-market spring choices continues to grow
Standard braking systems are:
- The 85-87 comes with 11.5” rotors and a single piston caliper front and rear
- The 88-96 suspension comes with 12” rotors and two piston calipers front and one piston rear
Your brake options are:
- 13" Baer Brake kit consisting of drilled and slotted zinc coated rotors, Baer's front calipers and pads
- Baer Brake 6P package which consist of Baer's 6 piston calipers with Eradispeed rotors
- Our other option is to go with the New 2007 Z06 brake package. This package uses a 14.1” drilled front rotor with a six puck caliper. The rear gets a 13.4” drilled rotor and four puck caliper. This package does limit wheel choices because of the larger rotor size
We have a few options for making the braking system work:
- The first way to make your brakes work is with a standard vacuum operated booster unit and master cylinder
- The other option is to use a Hydro-boost unit. This system will give you the maximum pressure at the caliper resulting in maximum stopping power. Works great with standard braking systems
Depending on what car you are doing the conversions to, there might be some minor body work needed.
C1 Corvettes
- Spare tire well requires clearance so there is room for the differential. You can still fit a C4 spare tire in the well. We offer a patch panel to fill the hole
- You will need to clearance one to two inches of the inner fender wells directly above the top A-arms
C2 Corvettes
- We offer a patch panel kit that modifies the floor board behind the seats and down the tunnel on the passenger side
- Transmission tunnel may need modifying depending on what transmission you use
1955-1957 Chevy’s
- Original stock fuel tanks cannot be used with Chevy's. Most customers remove the spare tire well and install an aftermarket fuel tank
1955-1959 Chevy Truck
- If you run a 6 speed manual transmission the tunnel needs minor modification
We can set up your frame with any motor and transmission combination.
The torque arms main function is to secure the differential from rotating as power is applied to the rear wheel. All the forces that work on the rear wheels to make the car go forward are also working on the differential, trying to spin it in the opposite direction. Mounting the differential to the frame without a torque arm can damage the differential housing. The torque arm is the best way to eliminate hard acceleration wheel hop. A simple crossmember and mount fastened to the snout of the differential is not enough!
With the late model Corvette suspension you do have to run a more modern style wheel that has a lot of back spacing.
1953-1960 Corvette |
|||
| Stock Fenders | Car Creations Rear Fenders | ||
| 1985-1987 Suspension | Front | 8" wide 6" back space | 8" wide 6" back space |
| Rear | 8" wide 6" back space | 10" wide 6 1/4" back space | |
| 1989-1996 Suspension | Front | 8" wide 6 5/8"" back space | 8 1/2" wide 7" back space |
| Rear | 8" wide 6 5/8"" back space | 9 1/2" wide 7 1/4" back space | |
|
|||
| Stock Fenders | Car Creation Rear Fenders | ||
| 1985-1987 Suspension | Front | 8" wide 6" back space | 8" wide 6" back space |
| Rear | 8" wide 6" back space | 10" wide 6.7" back space | |
| 1988-1996 Suspension | Front | 8 1/2" wide 7" back space | 8" wide 6" back space |
| Rear | 8 1/2" wide 7" back space | 10" wide 6 3/4" back space | |
|
|||
| Stock Fenders | Car Creations Rear Fenders | ||
| 1985-1987 Suspension | Front | 8 1/2" wide 7" back space | 8 1/2" wide 7" back space |
| Rear | 8 1/2" wide 7" back space | 9 1/2" wide 7 5/8" back space | |
| 1988-1996 Suspension | We do not recommend this style suspension for these cars | ||
|
|||
| Stock Fenders | |||
| 1985-1987 Suspension | Front | 8 1/2" wide 6 3/8" back space | |
| Rear | 9 1/2" wide 6 3/4" back space | ||
| 1988-1996 Suspension | Front | 8 1/2" wide 7" back space | |
| Rear | 9 1/2" wide 7 3/8" back space | ||

