C5 Corvette Springs

MTI Racing, in Marietta, Georgia, recently installed a 550hp LS2 engine package in our '00 C5. While the factory Z51 suspension system worked well with the stock 345hp LS1, MTI owner Reese Cox suggested we improve the car's handling to better cope with all the additional power.

During a testdrive, Reese, a former road racer, noticed the C5's front rising dramatically under hard acceleration. The nose also dipped alarmingly under heavy braking. For curative advice, Reese contacted Paul Lesinski of Automotive Solutions. Paul has worked with Reese in the past and has provided suspension-tuning input for other professional Corvette road racers. Knowing we planned to use the car both on the street and at track events, Paul and Reese recommended Vette Brakes & Products' Extreme 850-pound front (PN 97320) and 750-pound rear (PN 97344) composite springs. (For reference, consider that top Corvette teams are using 1,200-1,300-pound spring rates up front.) MTI Racing is an authorized vendor for VB&P suspension products and performed the installation. The parts retail for $539.95 each.

With access to a lift and all the right tools, the MTI team had the job done within a few hours. The front end took longer, as the front spring rests on top of the lower control arms and needs to be threaded through the engine cradle for removal. The rear, meanwhile, is attached underneath the lower control arms and can be unbolted and dropped straight down and away from the car. The new VB&P springs fit perfectly, and once the car was back on the ground, it was time for a testdrive.

We were surprised at how well the car rode in modified form. In spite of the much higher spring rates, the Corvette absorbed bumps without any jarring or thumping. Front-end dive was minimal under heavy braking, and the nose remained flat even during hard acceleration. We think the car is now much more capable of exploiting its newfound power.

Our next step will be to upgrade the car's wheels, tires, and brakes. After that, we plan to visit a road-racing circuit to see how our C5 compares with a new Z06. Stay tuned.