C5 vet suspension under a trifive anyone?

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Anyone seen a trifive with C5 suspension? I found this one on the web.
http://www.streetrodgarage.com/srgtri-fivewithz06suspension.aspx

Only asking because most companies and builders use C4 because it fits better out of the box and no torque tube. Reason I'm asking is a 55 vert project car is being sold local and it states it has C5 setup. I've seen a few pictures of the car but not any of the chassis or inside to see how it was built.
Thanks
Rocky

[chevynut]

Street and Performance had a C5 Tri5 project in the works years ago, but I don't know if it ever got finished. The Street Shop builds C5 chassis for early corvettes, and Ironworks has a tri5 chassis with a C5 front end.

The biggest problem with trying to use the C5 suspensions on a tri5 is the width. They're at least 4-5" wider than the C4 suspensions. I have a C5 front and rear and I'm amazed at how much wider the C5 suspension is.

The C5 front track width is 61.9" and the wheel offset is +58mm which results in a front end mounting width of 66.46". The early C4 is 61" wide, and the late C4 is 62" wide at the mounting surfaces. The C5 rear track width is 62.0" and the wheels have a +56mm offset which makes the wheel mounting surface 66.4" wide. The early C4 is 62" and the late C4 is about 63" wide at the rear wheel mounting surfaces. I'm pretty sure the C6 is the same.

As a result, you can't use the stock C5 front cradle and you end up building a custom crossmember with the pickup points moved inboard a couple of inches or more per side. This changes the suspension geometry unless you make adjustments to compensate. Now that you've narrowed the suspension, you can't use the C5 rack or swaybar. So you end up trying to find something that works, at additional cost as well as locating it correctly to minimize bumpsteer. So the C5 implementation is inherently more expensive than the C4, and I really see little if any performance benefit. You can put C5 brakes on a C4 front suspension or use aftermarket brakes.

And in the C5 rear you have a-arms to deal with. They have to be moved inboard also, which means the frame needs to be narrowed....a lot. The C5 rear cradle can't be used so again you have to add all the pickup points to the frame, and the narrowing affects the suspension geometry. If you use the stock C5 transaxle you have to deal with lengthening the torque tube and everything inside of it, shortening halfshafts, as well as modifying the body to fit. The C5 transaxle can be replaced with other differentials such as one from a Viper or Camaro, but that requires custom halfshafts. You also can't use the stock swaybar so you have to get an aftermarket one or find something suitable.

Overall, the C5 suspension is a lot more difficult and more expensive to use in a Tri5 than a C4 suspension. It can be done, and aside from saying you have the latest and greatest, I'm not sure the performance gain is worth the effort.

That's my take on it, and it's why I don't use C5/6 suspensions.

[chevynut]

Here's some stuff I posted elsewhere:

2005 (C6)
Wheelbase: 105.7"
Overall length: 174.6
Overall width: 72.6
Overall height: 49.1
Track: 62.1/60.7
Curb weight: est. 3214 lbs.
Weight distribution: 51/49

2004 (C5)
Wheelbase (in): 104.5"
Overall length: 179.7
Overall width: 73.6
Overall height: 47.7 47.8 (Vert)
Track: 61.9/62 (62.4/62.6 Z06)
Curb weight: 3246 (3248 Vert/3118 Z06)
Weight distribution: 51/49 (53/47 Z06)

C5 front wheel offset is 58mm, rear is 65mm. C6 front wheel offset is 56mm, rear is 79mm according to my web search.

Using this info, the C5 front mounting surface width is 66.46", and the rear is 67.12". The C6 is 66.51" in front and the rear is 66.92". I'm pretty sure that in reality they're the same as I believe suspension parts interchange.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

This is the car I'm looking at. It has a ls1 6 speed from vet and says it has same cars suspension under it. I've ask the guy for more details but he has not responded yet.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/rockytoppers1/Mobile%20Uploads/image_130.jpg

[chevynut]

One thing I forgot to mention is that you can't use the stock composite transverse front or rear spring from the C5/6 if you narrow the suspension. So you're forced to use coilovers which increases the cost and complexity due to packaging (coilovers are ~3.5"+ in diameter). The stock composite springs can be used from the C4.

[chevynut]

It has a ls1 6 speed from vet and says it has same cars suspension under it.

Are there any pics that show the suspension? I can probably tell you if it's really a C5/6 by looking at a part. ;)

Those look like C4 wheels to me.

http://www.jegs.com/i/OE+Wheels/494/4750784/10002/-1?CAWELAID=1710628513&CAGPSPN=pla&gclid=CN7nqPngr8kCFQooaQodD64JdQ

http://www.jegs.com/images/photos/400/494/494-4750784.jpg

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

No pics Ive ask for info on chassis no answers from seller yet.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Laz can you tell from this pic if it is C4 or C5 suspension? I'm going to look at car in person on Friday. If it is C4 what wheel offsets fit it? Also note how high it looks in front almost stock height. The engine is in so not going down much unless the coil overs can be adjusted? Thoughts?

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk243/rockytoppers1/Mobile%20Uploads/image_138.jpg

[chevynut]

That's clearly an early C4 front suspension. It looks like the suspension is too high, meaning the coilovers could probably be turned down.

Why are you looking for yet another car? :) :)

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Because you have convinced me C4 is the way lol.

[hutchenc]

Did you ever go look at that car Rocky?

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

No I decided to pass on it. Price was pretty high so I decided to stick with the mad. It's listed on DFW CL if anyone is interested. But lots of miss information so not sure the condition or quality of it. But I'm close by and will be glad to look for someone wanting a vert.

From the location I assume the car was probably a house of hot rods project and owner got in over there head but I dont know that just a guess. They build 6 figure hotrods. There in a network of companys that are in one area. You can get a rod built start to finish. I have heard good and bad...