The new VB&P springs keep...
The new VB&P springs keep the car much flatter during high-speed cornering. Squat and dive were also greatly reduced.
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.
After removing the wheel and...
After removing the wheel and front-brake caliper, MTI places a floor jack under the front suspension for support.
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.
 Begin disassembling the suspension...  Begin disassembling the suspension by removing the 10mm brake-line bolt directly below the upper control arm. This will prevent the line from being bent when the arm is loosened. Next, remove the four 15mm UCA bolts. |  Remove the two 13mm lower...  Remove the two 13mm lower shock-absorber-retaining bolts. |  Loosen the 18mm tie-rod end...  Loosen the 18mm tie-rod end and gently tap with a hammer to break the knuckle free from the joint. |
 Use the floor jack to drop...  Use the floor jack to drop the lower control arm. MTI uses PB spray lubricant to help remove the front-spring-height adjuster. |  Next, remove the four 13mm...  Next, remove the four 13mm spring-shackle bolts attached to the engine cradle. |  MTI's Mason Harris removes...  MTI's Mason Harris removes the factory Z51 spring, clearing the way for the VBP 850-pound unit. Reverse the removal procedure to install the new spring, and torque the bolts per the Corvette-shop-manual specifications. |
 Mason begins the rear-spring...  Mason begins the rear-spring installation by placing an 18mm socket on the lower rear-spring-adjuster bolt and a 21mm wrench on the upper adjuster nut. He then loosens-but does not remove-the rear spring adjuster. |  Next, remove the O-ring retainer...  Next, remove the O-ring retainer above the adjustment nut. |  Place a jackstand under the...  Place a jackstand under the spring before removing the adjuster nut and bolt. Remove the nut and lower the jackstand to remove all of the tension from the spring. |
 Place the jackstand under...  Place the jackstand under the middle of the rear spring. Remove the four 13mm spring-shackle bolts. |  Here, MTI's Chris Ivester...  Here, MTI's Chris Ivester prepares the new VB&P rear spring for installation. Both springs come with all necessary hardware and detailed installation instructions. |  Reverse the removal procedure...  Reverse the removal procedure to install the new rear spring, torquing the bolts per the Corvette-shop-manual specifications. Reinstall the wheels and make sure car is sitting even at all four corners. Use the adjusters to bring the car to your preferred ride height. |