Correct Ride Height Above Tires?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 402
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
Correct Ride Height Above Tires?
What's the correct ride height of a C3 above the front/rear tires?
My 70' w/225/70-15's sits real low. Top of the tires are under the wheel wells.
Yes, it does bottom out! In fact, I'm taking it in tomorrow for suspension work and would like to know what to tell the mechanic with respect ride height.
Thanks for your input!
James1970.
My 70' w/225/70-15's sits real low. Top of the tires are under the wheel wells.
Yes, it does bottom out! In fact, I'm taking it in tomorrow for suspension work and would like to know what to tell the mechanic with respect ride height.
Thanks for your input!
James1970.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
What's the correct ride height of a C3 above the front/rear tires?
My 70' w/225/70-15's sits real low. Top of the tires are under the wheel wells.
Yes, it does bottom out! In fact, I'm taking it in tomorrow for suspension work and would like to know what to tell the mechanic with respect ride height.
Thanks for your input!
James1970.
My 70' w/225/70-15's sits real low. Top of the tires are under the wheel wells.
Yes, it does bottom out! In fact, I'm taking it in tomorrow for suspension work and would like to know what to tell the mechanic with respect ride height.
Thanks for your input!
James1970.
Rich
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Encinitas Ca
Rich is right
Springs are supposed to have arch.....sounds like yours is the anti-arch kind. Just remember, higher weight spring does not mean better spring. Took my '70 out for a lively spin yesterday with its 315 spring, newly installed, perfect. Even with my dopey neighbor with me.....my god he is a dope. And I thought my dog was a mouth breather.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
This would also depend on the diameter of the tire.
I recall about 28-29" from ground to fender edge with stock tires.
A larger diameter tire would make the fender higher and the
wheel seem to be tucked up under more.
Space for stock tire to fender edge ... about 1-2".
I recall about 28-29" from ground to fender edge with stock tires.
A larger diameter tire would make the fender higher and the
wheel seem to be tucked up under more.
Space for stock tire to fender edge ... about 1-2".
Last edited by NHvette; May 14, 2007 at 06:50 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 402
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
Thanks everyone.
I've decided (after much consideration) to stay with the 225/70-15's tires that are on the car (Goodyear Eagle GT II). My plan is to keep the suspension stock. I believe I'm looking at new springs, shocks, leaf, bushings. etc.
The springs and leaf are original as far as I can tell. The leaf has no visible bow. Thinking steel heavy duty 7 leaf spring with street/slalom front springs might do the trick. But what do I know?????
I'll see what Johnson's Wheel Alignment says tomorrow morning. The shops been around for 30+ years so I'm hoping they've worked on a vette or two. I'll be pleased if he car sits 1" to 1-1/2" above the tires when complete.
I'll keep you posted.
Thanks
I've decided (after much consideration) to stay with the 225/70-15's tires that are on the car (Goodyear Eagle GT II). My plan is to keep the suspension stock. I believe I'm looking at new springs, shocks, leaf, bushings. etc.
The springs and leaf are original as far as I can tell. The leaf has no visible bow. Thinking steel heavy duty 7 leaf spring with street/slalom front springs might do the trick. But what do I know?????
I'll see what Johnson's Wheel Alignment says tomorrow morning. The shops been around for 30+ years so I'm hoping they've worked on a vette or two. I'll be pleased if he car sits 1" to 1-1/2" above the tires when complete.
I'll keep you posted.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
If you want a bit more control without the rocks-in-your-pockets ride, take a look at installing a stock rear sway bar from a big block or FE7 car and stock front and rear springs. You'd get standard ride height and the beneifts of the rear sway bar.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
I've decided (after much consideration) to stay with the 225/70-15's tires that are on the car (Goodyear Eagle GT II).
OOOHHH JJEEEZZZE what a mistake you could have made in picking tires.
The other day at a tire shop, the owner of a 76 was talked into swapping out his 8 in. rallies for some 7 inch and 215/65/15s.
You talk about gruesome!!!!
I asked the guy why did he just do that and he said the tire shop people recommended it?
He ask me what I had on my car and I showed him and he said they would rub on his car.
I don't know about you, but A 76 and a 77 ain't that different.
but thats why I learn about stuff and others let somebody do their thinking for them!!!
Last edited by Tim H; May 15, 2007 at 05:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 402
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
With respect, if you actually don't know the changes the slalom springs and HD rear will make, do a little more homework. The ride is likely to be very stiff with the changes you are considering.
If you want a bit more control without the rocks-in-your-pockets ride, take a look at installing a stock rear sway bar from a big block or FE7 car and stock front and rear springs. You'd get standard ride height and the beneifts of the rear sway bar.
If you want a bit more control without the rocks-in-your-pockets ride, take a look at installing a stock rear sway bar from a big block or FE7 car and stock front and rear springs. You'd get standard ride height and the beneifts of the rear sway bar.
The mechanic at the alignment shop called this afternoon after reviewing the suspension. The existing 9-leaf had a negative bow (I knew that) and the shocks and bushings needed replacement.
Here's what he's doing:
1. New 9-leaf with bushings and 8-1/2" bolts (I believe he said the stock bolts were 6-1/2" and the 8-1/2 will give him room for adjustment (?).
2. Bilstein shocks front/rear
3. New bushings up front
4. Lube chassis
5. Change differential fluid
6. Adjust steering to remove "play".
7. Align front/rear
8. Check back-up light wiring for proper hook-up at tranmission
9. (2) Goodyear Eagle GT II's to match front set.
Your comments regarding the 7-leaf was duplicated by the mechanic. I appreciate your comments Mike.
Tim H:
Appreciate you comment also. I wanted to go 60 series but decided not to chance all the hassles associated with them. The 70's look/perform fine plus I would only have to purchase 2 tires, not 4.
BTW, The Goodyear Eagle GT II has a crappy rating on TireRack. However, the front set on the car have performed well and have way too much tread left to replace. Easier to buy 2 for the rear and let all four age together.
Thanks gentlemen.
james1970
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SPARTAN
CI 3-4-5-6-8-9-10 Vet
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Any chassis engineer will tell you that the body guys aren't reliable. Consider how poor body fits were back then and how much variation bodies had. Then think that they're connected to the chassis (with it's own variation) with shims between the two. It's not hard to see why you measure the suspension instead of the body.
On that AIM page, use the Z & D heights.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 402
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
Suspension Refurbishment Complete. Results:
I wanted to close this thread with an update:
I picked up the car from Johnson's Wheel Alignment (Torrance, CA) on Tuesday night and I'm delighted!
The new Bilstein shocks, 9-leaf spring, bushings, alignment (front/rear) and rear tires make this a different car. The ride height is perfect (level with about 1" clearance from top of tire) and no bottoming-out!
It's going to take me a while to get comfortable with the new feel of the car.
Thanks again for all who provided input. I do appreciate it.
Best,
James1970
I picked up the car from Johnson's Wheel Alignment (Torrance, CA) on Tuesday night and I'm delighted!
The new Bilstein shocks, 9-leaf spring, bushings, alignment (front/rear) and rear tires make this a different car. The ride height is perfect (level with about 1" clearance from top of tire) and no bottoming-out!
It's going to take me a while to get comfortable with the new feel of the car.
Thanks again for all who provided input. I do appreciate it.
Best,
James1970
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 72
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Wonder if I have some really wrong
From the top of my 235/60 15's to the bottom of my back fender is a full 5 inches... I measured them today.. also measured the height of bump from ground to about center (i check the same place on both sides) and it was 24 or 25 inches.. i was just curious is both sides were even.... have I got tires too small or does my vettes butt just sit high
