Drag Race springs..
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Drag Race springs..
For my current setup, I went with mid 60's small block springs, hoping for a lower spring rate than my 460 coils that I was using before. I'm also using adjustable drag shocks (currently set to 80/20). Well, the springs aren't as soft as I was hoping, so the front sits pretty high because of the shocks hogher resistence to go down... So I'm thinking in changing springs again to real drag race springs..with approx. 240 - 250 lbs/inch. However, I haven't found a single spring manufactorer who offers such spring for C3's... I don't want to buy certain spring and then cut them, I want bolt on spring with a low spring rate... Does anybody know if those are available?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
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From: Wisconsin
At some point you're going to just end up being forced to fabricate something... that's what happens when you have a drag car. I'll ask my dad what springs he has on his '64 that did 3ft wheelstands next time I see him. They might be really stiff springs because he has a-arm stops, but I honestly have no idea. I know it is pitched down in the front.
Last edited by Schmucker; Apr 15, 2005 at 10:37 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I called Moroso before and they don't have any springs specifically for C3's 
.. I think that the 71 Camaro springs might work, but I'm just not sure and the guys at Moroso didn't know either. I'm suspecting that those might work because 71 Camaros use the same shocks than C3's... If the shocks are the same length, the springs should also be similar...
.. I think that the 71 Camaro springs might work, but I'm just not sure and the guys at Moroso didn't know either. I'm suspecting that those might work because 71 Camaros use the same shocks than C3's... If the shocks are the same length, the springs should also be similar...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
I don't have an answer but do have a question. How will a lower spring rate improve the car. All I can see happening is the front end raising further up under hard acceration. The amount of weight being transferred should be about the same. The car when driven on the street around turns is going to lean over much further.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 301
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From: Little Italy MI
[QUOTE=GrandSportC3]I called Moroso before and they don't have any springs specifically for C3's .. I think that the 71 Camaro springs might work, but I'm just not sure and the guys at Moroso didn't know either. I'm suspecting that those might work because 71 Camaros use the same shocks than C3's... If the shocks are the same length, the springs should also be similar...[/QUOTE
Grandsport on ur rear suspension set up including Tom's kits Its
awesome great job. Thanks for replying to the post "fastest vette"
where i had asked about ur set up. I am considering the same however
the front springs I'm leaning towards the 550lbs. as also suggested
by Dan at Van Steel. Are u suggesting not to go with 55o because of ride height or performance (weight transfer).
.. I think that the 71 Camaro springs might work, but I'm just not sure and the guys at Moroso didn't know either. I'm suspecting that those might work because 71 Camaros use the same shocks than C3's... If the shocks are the same length, the springs should also be similar...[/QUOTEGrandsport on ur rear suspension set up including Tom's kits Its
awesome great job. Thanks for replying to the post "fastest vette"
where i had asked about ur set up. I am considering the same however
the front springs I'm leaning towards the 550lbs. as also suggested
by Dan at Van Steel. Are u suggesting not to go with 55o because of ride height or performance (weight transfer).
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Ok! My car is mostly a drag race car and I don't really care how the car handles on the street. For drag racing, you need a stiffer rear spring and very soft front springs for maximum weight transfer. The front needs to come up to transfer more weight onto the rear slicks for better traction. Stiff front springs are the worst for drag racing but best for road racing.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Forgot to mention... For street applications - don't even remotely consider soft front springs because the car will handle like crap and could be even dangerous!!
Last edited by GrandSportC3; Apr 15, 2005 at 11:59 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,357
From: Santa Ana CA
You could "torch" a set of existing springs to soften them up some. Maybe try it on some used ones. Just go easy.
Of course this would pretty much be for drag use only and not street driving.
Of course this would pretty much be for drag use only and not street driving.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Little Italy MI
Originally Posted by GrandSportC3
Forgot to mention... For street applications - don't even remotely consider soft front springs because the car will handle like crap and could be even dangerous!!
Thanks 
Team Owner
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Oliver - Remember that company that posted on here about the variable rate springs. They really were an interesting idea. The sales catolog had some very light spring rates listed.
I can't remember who he was with.
I can't remember who he was with.
Thread Starter
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Don't remember that post.. I've never heared about companies that sell variable rate front springs.. VBP makes variable rate rear springs (I got one of those) but can't remember seeing variable rate front springs...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Not Correctly Restored Stingray Fla.
My friend with his '64 Vette, running 9.50s (and it's a RACE CAR ) with a 468 ci BB is using stock small block springs with no problems.
Maybe you need to get a BIG BLOCK !!!
) with a 468 ci BB is using stock small block springs with no problems.Maybe you need to get a BIG BLOCK !!!
Thread Starter
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
With a big block, my current springs would work because of the added weight.. I might actually go with a big block once I'm done with my current engine... I'm planning on having fun with my current engine for 1 to 2 racing seasons and then sell it and move on to a big block 
Team Owner
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From: eville in
Originally Posted by toddalin
You could "torch" a set of existing springs to soften them up some. Maybe try it on some used ones. Just go easy.
Of course this would pretty much be for drag use only and not street driving.
Of course this would pretty much be for drag use only and not street driving.
I have streched sagged coils to but all this a Dangerous
Thread Starter
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I wouldn't consider messing with the existing springs... I'm sure that some of the Moroso springs would work... I just have to figure out the correct one for my application..
Racer
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From: Anchorage Alaska
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
All you need to know is the installed height and the rate that you want and you should be able to call Eaton or Addco or QA1 or any other place that does springs and tell them what you want.