Larry Herman

Actually, it is a single fiberglass composite leaf spring that runs transversely just above the rear differential. It is quite clever, very light, an efficient use of space and is less unsprung weight as compared to coils.

GrantG

Yes, the C5 Z06 does use them too, but see Larry Herman's comments - don't dismiss it because of them...

Viken

Agreed. Leaf spring design is just as antiquated as a rear engine chassis.

Bob Rouleau

Brian - the Corvette has used a very hi-tech composite transverse leaf spring for some years now. Note - transverse is the big difference from what you're thinking about. It seems to work very well. A Z06 is a nice track toy with great bang for the buck. The build quality and other things are far from a Porsche but for the money it will show its tail-lights to a 996 TT with equal drivers.

Rgds,

bob_dallas

The Corvette suspension is intriguing to say the least. Does anyone have a diagram of it? I've looked under a few cars but haven't really seen a detailed view of it.

Z06

All Corvettes use some kind of plastic single leaf spring, the problem with a single leaf spring is what ever the left side feels so does the right side.

gtdrei

They seem to do well at SCCA AutoX. I watched the regionals here last week, as Corvette smoked both a GT3 and a GT2. I know a lot depends on driver, tires and prep in AutoX, but the margins were large.

Robin

Bob Rouleau

Z06 - I am not so sure about that. I think the spring is attached in the middle so that it behaves like two independent springs. The rear suspension of a 'vette is not a solid axle like a truck. I am sure it is independent. I also recall reading a technical article which discussed the advantages of the single transverse composite spring. It is light and because it has way less mass than a coil spring it can respond more quickly and with less overshoot. There are no doubt trade-offs but my point was that it is not the same kind of spring as you find on the back of a truck!

Best,

rockitman

I wunder if zee GTR class Vettes have leaf springs??? Those cars are fast...faster than the GT3RSR's in the GT class....

bob_dallas

I think you mean GTS but I seriously doubt the car is running that suspension - coilovers are much easier to tweak and tune. Even if it was I think the speed has a lot more to do with the fact that they are pushing a little over 600 hp...

BrianPA

That's a bit different then. I was thinking box truck suspension. I am too ignorant of suspension design to know exactly what a transverse leaf spring is without seeing a diagram. When he said that all I could picture was truck though, plus I had never heard leaf spring and corvette in the same sentence before. Other than horrible build quality and mediocre driving ergnomics I always thought the corvette to be a pretty cool car ESPECIALLY for the money!