ME’s Coil Over Suspension And Related Chassis Component Possibilities

[John]

ME’s Coil Over Suspension And Related Chassis Component Possibilities

After many decades, GM is finally moving away from its very successful transverse leaf suspension system, to a coil over system.

Coilovers are a common performance upgrade for car suspensions. Coilovers can allow for lowering a vehicle, and also can reduce body roll with stiffer springs. A coilover gets its name from simply a coil spring over a shock absorber.

Here are a couple of ME’s leaked CAD drawings showing its actual coil over suspension.





There are several advantages of a coil over system, once of which has been a subject that has been a complained about as a C7 limitation, e.g., the lack of a front axle life system. Another advantage includes easier, more precise ride height adjustments, and for track aficionados, the ability to change shocks tailored to specific race tracks.

With a coil over system, coupled with a hydraulic line fitting , as is shown in the CAD, it is very easy to have a front axle lift system. Such a lift system is available on many other ME exotics, including Porsche and McLaren, and the Corvette team has been asked about having such a system one more than a few times — but much more complicated to do so with a transverse leaf system

The ME will most likely bring about that front axle lift system capability, though it would probably be a option as opposed to a standard item — with an estimated price for that option of roughly $2,000 (though it is more expensive on foreign exotics).

Here is a related thread, thanks to CorvetteBlogger, on the ME’s front axle lift system perhaps being shown in action.

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...stem-in-action

Thanks to “Skank” we know that there is at least a possibility of a rear wheel steering option on some of the later year, high end ME versions, as well as his providing info on other potential ME suspension component.s

https://www.midenginecorvetteforum.c...ned-zora-model

Finally, the actual body mounts could be based on ZF advanced systems for more precise ride isolation characteristics. For example, some Porsche uses ZF’s AKC (active kinetic control) components for isolation/control of suspension components.

Thanks to ZF’s site, press.zf.com, we have this picture of that AKC system.



Lots of exciting new possibilities for the ME’s suspension.

[Mobius]

I really like the idea of rear-wheel steering, and I look forward to hearing more about its implementation in the ME.

[JB]

Lol Im Such a cheap guy..im not paying two grand to lift the nose...

those plastic flap spoilers work just fine..

i have the stereo playing and i just dont care..

if the new lift system somehow correlates to better handling then i might ...but just to avoid the scraping? Ill pass,,

I'm sorry if my opinion varies from so many...

I've never replaced fhe plastic spring hinged spoiler in over 200k miles on my two c5 s and my c6..

and I had my c5 z06 lowered too...

i still miss that car...

[meyerweb]

I'd have a hard time coughing up 2 grand for that feature, too, JB.

[John]

It is not wonderful and just, that every one of us gets to choose which options were are or are not willing to pay for. I would glad pay $2,500 for the front axle lift system option

[Shadow]

Choice is always good. IMO, having FALS as standard equipment will not happen, for GM will do everything they can to keep the MSRP low.

[Fasttoys]

I am just happy the new car is going to more of a race car set up with coils springs and a damper.I was not a fan of the composite Lspring set up. I know their were many advantages but I always felt the rear of my 2003 Z06 was not as planted compared to the coil over set up I installed. I know my 15 Z handling was better than most supercars, just in certain situations it felt a little odd in some track events. LG motor sports did the same with their race cars.

[Racer86]

Coil overs also allow a very easy way to adjust corner weights, which are critical to balanced handling.

[whl3]

"Coil overs" are the only way to fly (as a starting point) for the best possible handling and suspension adjustability. I'm sure Doug Fehan has requested "coil overs"! "4-Wheel Steer" sounds like the perfect option for Cadillac's 1,000 hp halo hybrid car! The front lift system is attractive from a practical standpoint, but not necessarily from a financial (if it's going to cost $2,500!) standpoint. Nor is it practical if it adds significant additional front end weight that might alter the vehicle's balance! Doug won't have "front lift" on his cars! I would assume that the mid-engine car will have cameras mounted in the front grill as does the C7 that might further render a $2,500 front lift option as a necessity. Different strokes.........