Raising a C3
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Raising a C3
I know this is contrary to what most of you are doing ---- but--- I live and drive where there are a lot of holey roads and I find I'm dragging my undercarrage more then I want to. So how can I raise the vette up with the stock set up???? Any idea how much I could raise it???
Also if I were to go for a stiffer suspension would that raise the ride height much. Any suggestions????
Thanks.
LBM
Also if I were to go for a stiffer suspension would that raise the ride height much. Any suggestions????
Thanks.
LBM
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 218
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From: SF North Bay California
Originally Posted by TonySinclair
As for the rear...shorter bolts?
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 376
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From: NE PA PA
I think NE PA has the worst roads in the country. When I first got the 75 vert. I would scrap all the time. I put all new (standard) springs and bushing front and rear. In just retireing the ones made all the difference in the world. I don't scrap at all.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Stock springs actually raise the car. If you buy Morosso springs they are extra long and intended to be cut down for proper ride height.
I would go stock with shorter bolts in the back
I would go stock with shorter bolts in the back
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
The 460lbs springs raised my car up to a 4x4 look so I had to cut 1 coil off, but I do have alum heads, intake, rad and Steeriods so I have chopped a lot of weight off the front end.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Here's a good example: this is my Corvette with 460lbs VBP coil springs and a re-arched 9-leaf spring in the rear with the stock 6" bolts...
This was not the desired ride height and it was lowered shortly after I took these 4X4 pictures
The half shaft angle is pretty bad with this setup, this adds stress to the U-joints... but you won't have to worry about bad roads anymore
This was not the desired ride height and it was lowered shortly after I took these 4X4 pictures
The half shaft angle is pretty bad with this setup, this adds stress to the U-joints... but you won't have to worry about bad roads anymore
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
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From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
Here's a good example: this is my Corvette with 460lbs VBP coil springs and a re-arched 9-leaf spring in the rear with the stock 6" bolts...
This was not the desired ride height and it was lowered shortly after I took these 4X4 pictures
The half shaft angle is pretty bad with this setup, this adds stress to the U-joints... but you won't have to worry about bad roads anymore
This was not the desired ride height and it was lowered shortly after I took these 4X4 pictures
The half shaft angle is pretty bad with this setup, this adds stress to the U-joints... but you won't have to worry about bad roads anymore
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Van Steel
Damn thats high.
This photo was taken after the suspension settled....
... since then I installed the 550lbs springs and 10" bolts, here's the result:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
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From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by holley505
remember the body mounts... they could be bad after 30 years.. you will lose some hieght there without touching the suspension.
Mine are shot. just a thought.
Mine are shot. just a thought.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
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From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by JonnHeather
Did the new polyurethene mounts make it ride any harsher?
No, it's just rides a lot better than it did before.... but .... look at the rubbish that I pulled out (photo above).... anything, even a potato between the frame and the body would have been an improvement
Seriously: the body mounts are fine, and about $100 less expensive than the rubber. I think I paid $80 for the mounts, the washers and the bolts. Shop around....
Try a search "body mounts" - you'll likely find my thread with a link to a PDF file that describes (with photos) how to replace the mounts without lifting the body off the frame.
Last edited by MYBAD79; Sep 28, 2005 at 08:58 AM.
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Wow - thanks for all the replies - plenty to consider. Mine drags on the pipes but also the frame sometimes - or it feels like it. I think some of it is the job the pipe bender did on the header pipe - too long before the bend. I think I'll try the shorter bolts in the back to tighten up the rear leaf first and take it to another muffler shop and see if they can do something on the header pipes with out replacing the entire system.
LBM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Federot
Wow, did you steal my body mounts??
How hard were these to replace RedBad1979?
How hard were these to replace RedBad1979?
try a search "body mounts" - you'll likely find my thread with a link to a PDF file that describes (with photos) how to replace the mounts without lifting the body off the frame.
