Corvette Parts Blog

Corvette owners: Does “turn-key” sound more appealing than “Do-It-Yourself”? If so, Zip Corvette’s Performance & Installation Facility is for you.

For years, Zip Corvette has been the place to buy Corvette Parts & Accessories for your 1953 to C6 Corvette, but now your purchase is even easier. In 2004, we opened our Corvette performance and installation facility. We offer Zip Corvette customers a professional installation on thousands of items, backed by our Customer Satisfaction Guarantee and over 30 years of Corvette experience.

Just about anything: Whether you need a 1966 Corvette Trailing Arm rebuild or want to gain a few extra horsepower from your 2009 C6, you can count on Zip. We utilize only the best equipment available, including all diagnostic tools, tuning equipment and the latest tire mounting and balancing machines. We can safely mount and accurately balance any Corvette wheel and tire package. Whether it is a new set of Firestone Deluxe Champions on a 1955 Corvette or the latest ZR1 Corvette wheels on a C5 or C6, or even our 20 inch forged wheel and tire packages, we can handle it.

More than just wheels: Are you in the market for a reputable shop to install a new Corsa, B & B, Borla, Callaway or Magnaflow Exhaust System with Kooks Headers and Crossover Pipe? We can do it. Did you say Corvette Supercharger? Of course we can install those too, and even tune the car to make the most horsepower possible. Our head mechanics are certified ASE Master Automobile Technicians who have spent many days under the hood of all six generations of Corvettes. From projects as basic as installing grill screens or side spears to the installation of Z06 Corvette Body Update Kits and more, whatever the job may be, we have successfully done it numerous times.

The small stuff: While we can certainly handle the large projects, many of the Corvettes that are in and out of our installation facility are getting the “small things” installed. This includes exterior accessories like Corvette fender screens, billet aluminum grills, C6 Corvette license plate mounts and much, much more. Why spend 2-4 hours during your weekend reading instructions, trying to do it yourself and hoping you did it right? Just come to Zip; we can handle many jobs in under an hour while you wait on the couch in our showroom. You can have confidence in our installation service because we’ve done them all many times.

We build it: One aspect of our installation facility that is often overlooked is the fact that many of our Corvette parts are built in-house by experienced technicians. We build all of our own differentials for all generations of Corvettes, as well as Corvette trailing arm assemblies, steering boxes and many more parts. Our performance Corvette Differentials are currently running in SCCA Corvette race cars, as well as many satisfied customers’ cars on the street. Use Zip Corvette’s install shop with confidence! Stop by and see a sales person or contact us for an appointment. Remember that unlike other auto shops, at Zip, Corvettes are all we do.

As with any car, the 63-82 Corvette front suspension has many items that wear out over time. In this article, we cover almost every aspect of the front suspension as well as the steering system.

Front Suspension

This project is a major rebuild job and will take some time, but your Corvette will feel like new and you know you will not need to worry about anything in the front suspension for years to come. This is the perfect project for the winter months.

We replaced the springs, power steering pump, ram, valve, hoses, idler arm, drag link, tie rods, sleeves, control arm bushings, bumpers, stabilizer bar bushings, end kits and shocks on this 1978 Corvette. All 63-82 Corvettes have very similar front suspension and steering parts.

Click Here to read the entire Corvette Front Suspension Rebuild Article.

Many Corvette enthusiasts who have restored 1953-1982 Corvettes have almost certainly come across one common question:

Should I replace the bushings on my Corvette with rubber or polyurethane?

When it’s all said and done, your final decision will come down to what you want out of your Corvette.

Rubber Bushings

With the rubber bushings from Zip Corvette, you know you are getting exact reproductions of the originals used in the factory upon assembly. They look, feel and perform just as the stock bushings would have 30, 40 or even 50 years ago, therefore, meeting any NCRS judging requirements will not be an issue. The problem with rubber bushings is that they are far less durable and do not perform like polyurethane bushings. They begin to break down just after a few years and before you know it, a new set is once again on the list of Corvette Parts to buy.

Polyurethane Bushings

If you are tired of the rubber bushings or would like to add some performance to your Corvette, then polyurethane is the way to go. Polyurethane bushings maximize your suspensions potential with quicker, more predictable responses, boosting the performance level of your Corvette. Not only do they increase the performance level but they last much longer then rubber. The only problem with polyurethane bushings is that they are not original. They will not meet NCRS judging standards. If you are restoring a show car, you should stay with the rubber as opposed to polyurethane.

Resto Poly Bushings

If you can’t make up your mind which way to go, then settle for the best of both worlds. The new C1, C2, and C3 restoration polyurethane bushings from Zip Corvette Parts are designed to look like the original rubber bushings but perform and last like polyurethane. They feature a “matte” finish and utilize the factory brackets designed for your Corvette. Best of all they are guaranteed to never rot, deform or wear out due to overuse like the rubber bushings, making restoration polyurethane bushings a one time purchase item that will last for years with factory looks and performance gains.

Many Corvette enthusiasts are happy with their car just the way it is. Some may personalize their Corvette by adding Lloyd Floor Mats or American Car Craft Accessories but for the most part they will not make any major modifications. As for others who want to kick the performance levels up a notch, Zip Corvette has the perfect line of performance oriented Corvette Parts available.

Pfadt Racing Inverted Adjustable Shock Absorber Set

Pfadt Racing has designed several performance street and track Corvette parts for your C5 or C6. Since every Corvette owner is not looking for the same experience from their car, Pfadt Racing has designed their line of product to offer the ultimate in adjustability and performance. If you are looking to add better handling in an everyday driver or competition style steering and response for serious track use, Pfadt Racing has the answer for you. To see all of the Pfadt Racing performance Corvette Parts available from Zip Corvette click below to read the rest of this article.

Read more…

1997-2009 Poly Suspension Bushing Completion Kit

A simple job of installing Corvette polyurethane bushings on your C5 or C6 Corvette can quickly turn into a nightmare when you realize the labor involved to re-use your Corvette’s original shafts and bushing sleeves. The time involved to burn and/or cut off the old bushings, clean the parts and then re-use them can quickly prolong a job that should take 4-5 hours for installation and turn it into 8-10 hours. Zip’s exclusive Corvette shaft & sleeve kit replaces all the aluminum components with new steel components for a quicker polyurethane bushings installation. In doing so, at least 1/3rd of the labor time to install poly bushings in your C5 or C6 Corvette will be saved. The combination of poly bushings & the steel components in this kit is stronger and more responsive than stock, preparing your car for a day at the track, or for a drive down the street.

This Corvette Restoration Tip is brought to you by Zip Corvette and can be found in Zip’s free Corvette Parts & Accessories Catalogs – request one online today.

Installing new U-joints in your Corvette can turn into a costly job. A simple $30.00 repair could grow into the replacement of your entire driveshaft. For a no-hassle removal, you will need a tool similar to Zip Corvette’s U-Joint Removal Tool, or a standard shop press.

1963-1967 Corvette

Begin by removing the retaining clips on the U-joint bearing caps. Support the underside of the yoke with a large socket (1 1/4”) on the bed of the press, and then begin pressing the U-joint with a smaller socket or rod. Make sure the U-joint is square and all pressure is placed onto the bearing cap – this will help keep the yoke from absorbing the pressure and possibly damaging the driveshaft. Continue pressing the U-joint until it can go no further. Remove the cap you pressed out with a pair of pliers, then reverse the driveshaft and press the opposite cap in the same manner. Once out, you will be able to remove the U-joint from the driveshaft.

To install the new U-joint, lightly sand the inside of the yoke to clean out any corrosion or burrs, then spray with WD-40 to make installation smoother. Begin installation of the new U-joint by removing one cap and pressing it halfway into the driveshaft yoke. Now place the U-joint inside the yoke and press the cap all the way in. Press the second cap into the yoke, being careful to align it with the U-joint. Then reinstall the spring clips and make sure they are fully seated into the groove. You are done!

C4 Corvette Bearing Assembly

Now available from Zip Corvette, new C4 Heavy Duty Rear Wheel Bearing Assemblies. The uniqueness of this hub bearing is the use of a tapered roller bearing with a nitrate hardened race. The OE design hub uses ball bearings with a machined race into the hub assembly. The redesigned assembly includes a nitrate hardened race machined into an American forged hub. The combination of a super hard surface with tapered roller bearings produces an increase in surface area for side load, delivering improved durability and performance for your Corvette.

Features Include:

• American Forged Hub and Spindle Flange Assemblies
• Re-designed With Tapered Roller Bearings and Races
• Tapered Bearings increase Load Surface for Extended Life
• Manufacture to ISO 9001 and TS16949 Standards

More new Corvette Parts at Zip. These are for C2 and C3 Corvettes.

Zip Corvette has 1963-1982 Corvette Performance Front & Rear Suspension Coil Overs & Control Arms. Zip’s coil overs are single or double adjustable and would be perfect for a full time race car or a street car. These shocks will provide the best performance and ride quality available. Control arms are available in a natural or polished look. They will improve your Corvette’s suspension geometry, which directly translates into improved handling and cornering ability.

Front Coil Over Springs

The 1963-1982 Corvette Shark Bite Coil Over Front Spring & Shock Packages allow for easy ride height changes without the need to disassemble the suspension, allowing you to adjust the individual corner loads for a better, more balanced handling Corvette. QA1 shocks are cutting edge race designs with velocity sensitive valving. Whether you have a full time race car or a street car, these shocks will provide the best performance and ride quality available. Single adjustable shocks are adjustable in rebound while double adjustable shocks allow for both rebound and compression adjustments individually (unlike many other adjustable shocks). All shocks have 4 inches of total ride height adjustment and are constructed out of aluminum and silver anodized for a lighter weight and better heat transfer. These Corvette shocks are completely rebuildable, making them lifetime components. The small block springs are 350 inch lbs., and the big block are 450 inch lbs.

Corvette Rear Coil Overs

The latest addition to the Shark Bite family of Corvette Suspension is Zip Corvette’s rear coil over spring conversion kit for 1963-1979 Corvettes. This kit is not only trick looking but it will infuse even more performance into your Corvette. The 1963-1979 Corvette Shark Bite Rear Coil Over Suspension Kits will make your Corvette have a truly independent suspension that is not found with the monoleaf set up. A true bolt-on design, it does not require any permanent modification to the Corvette. This race inspired rocker arm suspension includes life-long aluminum shocks that are completely rebuildable. Different shock valving is available, including single-adjustable and independently double-adjustable. The kits offer adjustable ride height while on your Corvette and are a lighter weight than the stock rear suspension. Kits come complete with clear instructions and all of the mounting hardware necessary. Soft springs rates are equivalent to 200 in / lb springs, Medium springs rates are equivalent to 300 in / lb springs, Hard springs rates are equivalent to 400 in / lb springs.

1963-1982 Corvette Control Arms - Polished

1963-1982 Corvette Control Arms - Natural

These aluminum control arms greatly improve your Corvette’s suspension geometry, which directly translates into improved handling and cornering ability. This kit provides increased positive caster for greater stability and improved bumpsteer, while relocating the front roll center for superior handling. These 1963-1982 Corvette Shark Bite Aluminum Control Arms are also lighter than both stock and steel tubular control arms. Each side is 4 lbs less than the stock control arm, resulting in an 8 lb weight savings! Designed as a true bolt-on kit, these control arms do not require any modification to your C2 or C3 Corvette. Available in natural or polished aluminum finish with clear instructions, bushings, cross shafts and performance ball joints, which provide even better roll center geometry and more camber gain than stock ball joints. All 1963-1982 Corvette Shark Bite Front & Rear Suspension Kits are 100% MADE IN THE USA!