VBP Springs
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
VBP Springs
Looking to drop my front end at least 1.5 inches - but want to avoid cutting springs if possible. I'll be doing a complete front end rebuild with all new parts - other than control arms - and see no reason to use old springs. I see posts about others purchasing XXX# springs and I need to know what the differences are between the ratings on them.
Car is a small block with factory A/C which is there to stay. I am running 255/60r15 Rubber and I doubt I'll be doing wheels and tires any time soon.
Current ride height is 29 inches or so, which makes it look like a 4X4 next to Cali's 68 Roadster! I figure that 27.5 like lots of other postings, is the right height.
Car is a small block with factory A/C which is there to stay. I am running 255/60r15 Rubber and I doubt I'll be doing wheels and tires any time soon.
Current ride height is 29 inches or so, which makes it look like a 4X4 next to Cali's 68 Roadster! I figure that 27.5 like lots of other postings, is the right height.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
The 550s lower the front to 27.25" - I just installed these ('79, no A/C)
You should get Bilstein or Koni sport shocks to control these springs.
I have two 460's with 3/4 coil already cut off, ride height is 27.5" with these.... email me if you're interessted....
You should get Bilstein or Koni sport shocks to control these springs.
I have two 460's with 3/4 coil already cut off, ride height is 27.5" with these.... email me if you're interessted....
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
The 550s lower the front to 27.25" - I just installed these ('79, no A/C)
You should get Bilstein or Koni sport shocks to control these springs.
I have two 460's with 3/4 coil already cut off, ride height is 27.5" with these.... email me if you're interessted....
You should get Bilstein or Koni sport shocks to control these springs.
I have two 460's with 3/4 coil already cut off, ride height is 27.5" with these.... email me if you're interessted....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
The 460 jacked my front up a bit but the springs that where in there looked like they had been heat treated to lower them. I am thinking a 1 coil cut would get me about right since I have alum heads, alum intake, alum rad and no a/c.
Last edited by Fevre; Mar 11, 2005 at 11:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Fevre
The 460 jacked my front up a bit but the springs that where in there looked like they had been heat treated to lower them. I am thinking a 1 coil cut would get me about right since I have alum heads, alum intake, alum rad and no a/c.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
You used 550's but yours has no A/C and I know that system adds a lotta weight to the front end of the car. You pulled out the 460's and replaced w/ the 550's just for a quarter inch? Lotta work!
When I first bought the 460s I believed the books that the 550s are too harsh.... my ride height was at 29" - I cut 1/2 coil, the ride height was then at about 28" so it needed another 1/4 coil cut off.... then it was at 27.5" ... I was happy with the height but not with the soft ride... now, the 550s are a little stiffer and the height is correct.
..... I took the front apart so many times, with all that practice it takes me only about 2hrs to change springs. I do however hope that this was the last time ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by gkull
I thought that VB&P 460's and 550's were both one inch shorter.
no, they're not.... the 460s are shorter than stock springs but due to the higher rating they raise the front to 29" - this may be lower if you have a BB with A/C...
The 550s are shorter than the 460s and lower the front to 27.25" - 27.5"
In the catalogs it says '1" shorter design' - I also thought they would lower the front....
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
that's a long story:
When I first bought the 460s I believed the books that the 550s are too harsh.... my ride height was at 29" - I cut 1/2 coil, the ride height was then at about 28" so it needed another 1/4 coil cut off.... then it was at 27.5" ... I was happy with the height but not with the soft ride... now, the 550s are a little stiffer and the height is correct.
..... I took the front apart so many times, with all that practice it takes me only about 2hrs to change springs. I do however hope that this was the last time ...
When I first bought the 460s I believed the books that the 550s are too harsh.... my ride height was at 29" - I cut 1/2 coil, the ride height was then at about 28" so it needed another 1/4 coil cut off.... then it was at 27.5" ... I was happy with the height but not with the soft ride... now, the 550s are a little stiffer and the height is correct.
..... I took the front apart so many times, with all that practice it takes me only about 2hrs to change springs. I do however hope that this was the last time ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by 73jst4fun
I just bought the 460's from VB&P and going to rebuild my front end. With lighter engine parts heads, manifold, headers etc. my front end sits high now, so if I read this correctly I can cut a 1/2 coil off the new 460 springs to lower the front 1" which is still probubly going to be high with the weight reduction then may require more trimming to get the desired height......
I'd talk to VBP and try to get the springs exchanged.... the 550 are a little stiffer but they fit without any trouble...
You likely take it apart three times and cut the 460 springs until you get the height you want.....
