Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

NEW! AST 4100s on C5 Corvette

Collapse
X
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • NEW! AST 4100s on C5 Corvette

    The Vorshlag/AST test program has generated another new fitment: C5 Corvette shocks. Thanks go to Dean Yamada for giving us his car for over a week so that we could test the car before/after, no questions asked. He even handed over the keys and his R compounds one day so we could autocross the car. Outstanding!





    Above: Prototype C5 Coilovers. Changes coming soon for coilover use - currently installed without springs, and they still worked wonders for improving ride quality and transition feel.

    We sell a lot of AST shocks without springs, and the C5's unique transverse leaf springs are not something you simply throw into the trash for no reason. The ultra low placement of the factory composite leafs have a very low CG, but there aren't as many factory or aftermarket leaf spring choices as with a coilover spring. For those wanting ultra stiff spring rates, coilovers still offer more rate and length choices. But as with any shock installation that isn't already a coilover form the factory, many other factors have to be taken into account, namely: strength of the factory shock mounting areas and hardware. We have more work to do before releasing this as a coilover set-up.

    Anyway, installation was pretty straightforward, other than compressing the front shock during removal (zip ties as a droop limiter actually worked). We ran across a stripped hole from a previous installation, but a little prep work, welding, and alignment and a new stud was added to fix that.


    Left: Hanchey doing the install. Right: Front 4100 shock installed.


    Rear shock installed. Note blind upper shock mount (cannot get to the back of that).


    The front rebound adjusters are reachable but the rears mount into the top in a blind hole, so we can't get to that knob yet - we're going to switch to an inverted rear shock design like the VW Mark V uses to allow for easier access to adjust.

    More soon...
    Last edited by Fair!; 07-24-2008, 03:19 PM.
    Terry Fair - www.vorshlag.com
    2018 GT / S550 Dev + 2013 FR-S / 86 Dev + 2011 GT / S197 Dev + C4 Corvette Dev
    EVO X Dev + 2007 Z06 / C6 Dev + BMW E46 Dev + C5 Corvette Dev

  • #2
    Re: NEW! AST 4100s on C5 Corvette

    As a test car, the FRC got corner weighed, of course.



    Note: It had a full tank of fuel and heavy repro wheels, so its really closer to 3050 pounds by Dean's calculations at race weight.

    At the event I couldn't get the harness to fit me so I ran without it at Mineral Wells on a 1.5 mile road course. Big mistake. Bruised, sore and hanging on for dear life - flailing around like a rag doll. Still the car ran flawlessly, and soaked up the bumpier portions of the course with zero drama. Managed to get FTD on its first outing, which is always a good sign. The car had more in it - I just didn't drive very well. Luckily, I didn't need to. Corvettes with good suspensions and R compounds are ridiculously easy to go fast with.



    Some posed pics of the car we took after the install:




    Right: This was during our bumpy road torture test routine we drive all cars on, before and after we do suspension installs. The difference in ride comfort was dramatic - and a smooth ride usually equates to the tires staying on the ground more, which means more grip.
    Last edited by Fair!; 07-24-2008, 03:20 PM.
    Terry Fair - www.vorshlag.com
    2018 GT / S550 Dev + 2013 FR-S / 86 Dev + 2011 GT / S197 Dev + C4 Corvette Dev
    EVO X Dev + 2007 Z06 / C6 Dev + BMW E46 Dev + C5 Corvette Dev

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: NEW! AST 4100s on C5 Corvette

      Our first iteration of C5 monotube 4100 shocks worked well when using the stock springs and Dean has been very happy with the resulting ride and performance. A few physical constraints prevented us from using the 60mm coilover springs as we had hoped.



      Yesterday we borrowed Dean's car again to test several new measurements and design elements, as well as a variety of spring diameters, and we finalized our re-design. We'll have another prototype set built soon that uses a coilover spring and has new features and strength unavailable in any existing C5/C6 coilover shock.



      More soon!
      Terry Fair - www.vorshlag.com
      2018 GT / S550 Dev + 2013 FR-S / 86 Dev + 2011 GT / S197 Dev + C4 Corvette Dev
      EVO X Dev + 2007 Z06 / C6 Dev + BMW E46 Dev + C5 Corvette Dev

      Comment


      • #4
        NEW! AST 4200RR for Corvette

        Here's some pics of the Second Generation AST Corvette coilovers, this time in 4200 flavor. The front shocks have been inverted to make room for the rebound knob at the bottom of the shock, instead of buried in an inaccessible location up top. Both rebound knobs have been built concentric with the main shaft for easier access as well. Also, a remote reservoir has been added to add compression adjustment to both front and rear.





        We're still looking for a tester to try these with coilover springs.
        Last edited by Fair!; 12-16-2008, 12:11 PM.
        Terry Fair - www.vorshlag.com
        2018 GT / S550 Dev + 2013 FR-S / 86 Dev + 2011 GT / S197 Dev + C4 Corvette Dev
        EVO X Dev + 2007 Z06 / C6 Dev + BMW E46 Dev + C5 Corvette Dev

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: NEW! AST 4100s on C5 Corvette

          Those would justify clear fenders just to show them off.

          Comment

          Working...
          X