1971 Journey
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Looks good! I actually really like how the white lines look, and I'm normally not a fan. What size and type are the tyres? I wonder how they'd look with a small spacer to fill out the wheel well a bit more?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
They are 215/70/15 Michelins.
The rear could certainly benefit from a small spacer for looks
One side benefit is there in absolutely no Tramline in the steering -
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 27, 2016 at 04:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
From: Hessen
Wow... what a great thread about a beautiful C3. Thanks so much for sharing all these details with technical descriptions and pictures.
In fact, I am currently also revising my complete Interior on my 72... getting rid of two dash wiring pigtails poorly added by a previous owner for a fog lamp and second alarm siren... replacing the heater core (A/C car)... replacing seatbelts and carpet.
So I found/find your thread outstanding helpful!!!
Much success and a lot of fun for this year´s Corvette season!
Cheers from Germany...
René
In fact, I am currently also revising my complete Interior on my 72... getting rid of two dash wiring pigtails poorly added by a previous owner for a fog lamp and second alarm siren... replacing the heater core (A/C car)... replacing seatbelts and carpet.
So I found/find your thread outstanding helpful!!!
Much success and a lot of fun for this year´s Corvette season!
Cheers from Germany...
René
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Wow... what a great thread about a beautiful C3. Thanks so much for sharing all these details with technical descriptions and pictures.
In fact, I am currently also revising my complete Interior on my 72... getting rid of two dash wiring pigtails poorly added by a previous owner for a fog lamp and second alarm siren... replacing the heater core (A/C car)... replacing seatbelts and carpet.
So I found/find your thread outstanding helpful!!!
Much success and a lot of fun for this year´s Corvette season!
Cheers from Germany...
René
In fact, I am currently also revising my complete Interior on my 72... getting rid of two dash wiring pigtails poorly added by a previous owner for a fog lamp and second alarm siren... replacing the heater core (A/C car)... replacing seatbelts and carpet.
So I found/find your thread outstanding helpful!!!
Much success and a lot of fun for this year´s Corvette season!
Cheers from Germany...
René
Glad you found it of value.
Will start updating it again soon.
Hopefully you will post your progress as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Getting ready to rework the front suspension again.
Last time I did a complete rebuild and all was good but I want to resolve two things.
1) Need more Caster to match the Borgeson Box. I have 4+ and it drives well but want to get even more without having excessive Camber.
2) I run the semi coil overs on front with it relatively low so the overall shock travel is not huge. Theses lower arms will let me get my shock travel back again without the spring base being wound down heaps. They will also provide a stronger bottom mount compared to the original shock mount point.
All the kit is from Global West.
Last time I did a complete rebuild and all was good but I want to resolve two things.
1) Need more Caster to match the Borgeson Box. I have 4+ and it drives well but want to get even more without having excessive Camber.
2) I run the semi coil overs on front with it relatively low so the overall shock travel is not huge. Theses lower arms will let me get my shock travel back again without the spring base being wound down heaps. They will also provide a stronger bottom mount compared to the original shock mount point.
All the kit is from Global West.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:19 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Those lowers look nice! I run the same uppers, and am very happy with them. I actually am running through bolts with nuts for my shocks as I didn't trust the threads in the lower arms, and have it on my todo list to check shock travel and possibly add some spacers between shock and arm to compensate for my ride height. What coilovers are you running?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Those lowers look nice! I run the same uppers, and am very happy with them. I actually am running through bolts with nuts for my shocks as I didn't trust the threads in the lower arms, and have it on my todo list to check shock travel and possibly add some spacers between shock and arm to compensate for my ride height. What coilovers are you running?
I am using Double Adjustable Semi Coilovers from Speed Direct. Not sure what they use now but when i got mine they were QA1 main bodies with their springs.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:18 AM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Got some time today to start the Control arm swaps.
Started by measuring existing ride height at front
Turn steering to right and unlock lower coil over locking ring
Next wind down the main ring that removes tension from the spring.
Disconnect the sway bar.
Remove cotter ping from lower ball joint and loosen castle nut..
Disconnect the ball joint taper with tool.
Loosten the 3 bolts that hold inner bottom side of control arm then remove.
Started by measuring existing ride height at front
Turn steering to right and unlock lower coil over locking ring
Next wind down the main ring that removes tension from the spring.
Disconnect the sway bar.
Remove cotter ping from lower ball joint and loosen castle nut..
Disconnect the ball joint taper with tool.
Loosten the 3 bolts that hold inner bottom side of control arm then remove.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Removed damper from car and remove spring plates etc.
Now I needed to remove original bottom shock mount as it will use the new one from Global West.
Now I need to stop till I can get some Mobil 1 synthetic grease to start the reassembly.
Will strip other side tomorrow if I have time.
Now I needed to remove original bottom shock mount as it will use the new one from Global West.
Now I need to stop till I can get some Mobil 1 synthetic grease to start the reassembly.
Will strip other side tomorrow if I have time.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The Federal battery is sitting there as it has died.
Got a new AC Delco one last week. Vette had been sitting and I had not fully closed the centre rear compartment lid so light had been on for many weeks...There was no coming back for the battery. :-(
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Craig,
I couldn't sleep at night without a battery disconnect.
There was a period of time that I was so antsy about it that I would bring the **** In the house with me so I could be SURE it was disconnected without having to go back to the garage to check!
Regards,
Alan
I couldn't sleep at night without a battery disconnect.
There was a period of time that I was so antsy about it that I would bring the **** In the house with me so I could be SURE it was disconnected without having to go back to the garage to check!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hi Craig,
I couldn't sleep at night without a battery disconnect.
There was a period of time that I was so antsy about it that I would bring the **** In the house with me so I could be SURE it was disconnected without having to go back to the garage to check!
Regards,
Alan
I couldn't sleep at night without a battery disconnect.
There was a period of time that I was so antsy about it that I would bring the **** In the house with me so I could be SURE it was disconnected without having to go back to the garage to check!
Regards,
Alan
Have flattened the battery 3 times in 7 years so has not been too bad.
Each time it was the light in the center rear storage compartment.
Now I just plug the car into the battery tender when it's not in use.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,196
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Slow progress but got some time on weekend to remove the remaining suspension and clean up.
First loosen and remove the cross brace.
Loosen upper arms and pop ball joint
However electric fans were in way stopping easy arm removal so luckily 6 bolts and its out quickly
Upper arms out.
Comparison of upper arms shows the ball joint is offset further back on Global West arms.
Kit ready to go in.
First loosen and remove the cross brace.
Loosen upper arms and pop ball joint
However electric fans were in way stopping easy arm removal so luckily 6 bolts and its out quickly
Upper arms out.
Comparison of upper arms shows the ball joint is offset further back on Global West arms.
Kit ready to go in.
Last edited by CraigH; Apr 10, 2023 at 05:18 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
Love the look of those Global West arms.......
I have QA-1's new coilovers for the C3 sitting in my parts room just waiting for the body to come off the frame.
Just have to find the coin to get the GW arms......
I have QA-1's new coilovers for the C3 sitting in my parts room just waiting for the body to come off the frame.
Just have to find the coin to get the GW arms......