1976 lowering
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Davenport Iowa
1976 lowering
Hello I have a 76 stingray and I was woundering what I should do about lowering it. I know you can get longer outter spring bolts to lower the back, but should I just cut the front springs? what would be some disadvantages to cutting them? I talked to vettebrakes and they said from the center of the lip of the fender to the ground should be 27.5" front and 28.5" back. Mine is just under 29" front and 30" in the back. I would like to get it maybe a little under what vettebrakes said it should be. any help would be great on this! thanks a lot!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 704
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From: Cincinnati OH
cutting the springs just makes it ride really hard. if you don't mind that i guess it's a cheap way to go. i used the long bolts in the back of mine and got it down 1.25" like you i think it's still not low enough but until the new leaf spring relaxes that's all she's got unless i fork out the dough for the VB&P fiberglass rear leaf.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 91
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From: Davenport Iowa
well what would a good spring be that would would lower it down and keep the car the way its supposed to be? also I saw 10" spring bolts on vettebrakes.. wouldn't that lower it down a ways?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 355
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From: Valdosta Georgia
I went to my local parts store and ordered springs for a small block, manual trans, without air and once installed the frontend dropped about one inch. However when I tightened up the sway bar endlinks, the frontend raised back up. So I cut the spacer down shorter on the endlink and when I tightened it down this time the frontend pulled down right to where I wanted it. Ride is fine and looks great too. Hershey
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 355
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From: Valdosta Georgia
You will find numerous springs listed. I got the springs that came for a Vette with the least amount of options ( weight )and used these even though mine has A/C. The lower strength springs allow my Vette to sit slightly lower than stock would have been. Then by shortening the end link spacers, I was able to pull it down a little more. The NAPA number for my springs is 227-3217. Check on them for yourself. Hershey
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 2
From: Ft.Worth Texas
Originally Posted by TheMongoose
cutting the springs just makes it ride really hard. if you don't mind that i guess it's a cheap way to go. i used the long bolts in the back of mine and got it down 1.25" like you i think it's still not low enough but until the new leaf spring relaxes that's all she's got unless i fork out the dough for the VB&P fiberglass rear leaf.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Nate '69
A longer bolt lets the spring curve down more so it is not pushing the car up as much..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 769
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From: NorCal 71 Lt-1
I'm running 550's and 10" rear spring bolts. Like your car, mines was also sitting too high. After cutting one coil per spring the front is @ 26" and the rear is @ 27.5" Love to see some pics of your car when your done!
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Davenport Iowa
wnjlt1, man that looks great I would love to have mine sit that low. I would also love to have those torq thrust II's! any ways so you got the 550's and cut them down... how is the ride compared to stock just out of curiousity? and with the 10" bolts did everything on the rear clear alright? I heard that the leaf would rub or something? Also how tall are those tires? thanks a lot for everyones responses 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: NorCal 71 Lt-1
Evette76,
I have had the 550's in the car since purchase so I can't give you a comparison on them and the stock coils. Maybe another member can provide you with his experiance. What I can say about the 550's is they were firm before and abit more firm now after the cut.
As for the 10" bolts, I had rear spring / wheel contact issues. There is a thread in the forum where Norval provided instructions on how to shorten a rear leaf. It took me awhile to cut and drill the spring but it turned out perfect. The rear tires are 26" high.
I have had the 550's in the car since purchase so I can't give you a comparison on them and the stock coils. Maybe another member can provide you with his experiance. What I can say about the 550's is they were firm before and abit more firm now after the cut.
As for the 10" bolts, I had rear spring / wheel contact issues. There is a thread in the forum where Norval provided instructions on how to shorten a rear leaf. It took me awhile to cut and drill the spring but it turned out perfect. The rear tires are 26" high.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Lower Vette
I have a 79 that I installed the complete VB system, including the offset trailing arms and the front spredder bar. If you want to go lower you should plan on carrying some ramps in the car so you can get up driveways. Do not cut your springs unless you just want some bling and don't care how the car handles. My car is about 2.5" lower than stock and I have won many auto cross events and taken a few F.T.D. as well.
