Hi All,
I'm new to this site, Ive been building a 74 coupe since New years.
Next week starts the 468/T10 swap.
I was looking at big block springs, either the F41 450lbs, or 550lb Gymkanas, and I'm wondering how I will lower the front end about 1.5 inches.
Do I have any options or Is it just cut the front springs down?
Thanks

 

Hi Evan, welcome to the Forum.

I'm pretty sure that the 550#/" springs will lower about 1.0" or so. Cutting one coil off the bottom will also lower the car, but (assuming it currently has a small block) you really need higher rate springs than this will give you. The BB outweighs the SB by about 200#.

Lots of others here have done this swap and you can search the archives for info. good luck

 

Thanks Frank for you reply.
It's very encouraging that the 550lb spring is already 1" lower then the stock ride height.
Is there any one else who can verify this, I'd hate to get a pair and start cutting, and it's a PIA to put them in, check the height, take em out, cut em etc. etc

DO I need the 10" or 8" rear bolts to drop the rear end 1- 1.5 inches?
Thanks

 

Now I'm a little more confused.
I just ordered the 550LB spring from mid america, and they said that it is 1" shorter, but due to stiffer compression, It retains more of a stock ride hieght, and the 460lb spring lowers the car more.
Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks

 

I really don't think there's any sure-fire answer or formula. There are guys here that say this coil or that coil lowered the front an inch or so. But what height did they start with? When I did my front end and cut the coils I posted question after question here getting replies from "It's dangerous to alter the geometry of the front suspension" to "cut "em". :D How much any spring will drop you front end is determined by you height right now. There were guys replying to my posts about fender lip measurments with 29.0 inch heights. This, when the AIM for my '70 stated the stock height should be 27.5-28 inches. So if they started at 29 inches and dropped to 28 inches, they're still in stock territory. I wanted that "lowered" look.

I ordered regular replacement coils for a SB, wo/AC, no PS, or PB from Advance Auto for $48. At that price I figured if I screwed them up I wasn't out a lotta cash. They turned out to be TRW coils. The replacements are already shorter than the stock springs but are of thicker diameter.

I installed them and the fender lip height was the same. A couple weeks later, I removed the coils and cut 3/4 of a coil. This leaves me with a front fender lip height of 26.5 inches. For me it was trial and error. I was prepared to remove and cut them again if necessary. Anything lower than 26.0 and I'd say you're asking for trouble.(unless you have side exhaust)

Hope this helps

 

My 550LB springs were shorter than the orignal springs, but raised the car at LEAST 1 inch -- if not 2 !!! :cuss :cuss :cuss :cuss

No I have to pull them back out and cut a coil :cuss :cuss :cuss

You should put them in as they are and wait at least 1 month as they will settle some. Once you have the motor and everything in, drive for 1 month, then measure. Figure out how much to cut at that time.

If you cut now, it may be too low and cause problems, especially after they settle.

Good luck !!

 

Mid america said that the 460 LB lowered the front 1" ????

Maybe I will get a set up these, cut a coil and install them.
I am installing a new motor that has aluminum heads and water pump, so the motor will be at least 40 lbs lighter in the front end.

I am at 29"s now and want to go to 27 to 27 1/2 (max).

 

Evan, my info comes from the Vette Brakes & Products catalog. They state that their 550# springs "upgrade your car to F-41 or Gymkhana specifications, lowering the vehicle approximately 1." I know that cutting a coil from the stock spring will lower the car 1-1.5" because I just did it (350 cid.) Does your car have a big block now or are you upgrading from a small block?

 

I have a 71 big block with an all alluminum top end and 550s in the front. The body height measures almost exactly the same as stock specs. I have the vettbrakes adjustable mono leaf in the rear and that can be adjusted from 2 inches above to 2 inches below stock ride height. The 550s in the front are installed without the recomended rubber spacers.

 

my 79 is a small block,with 255/60/15 tires and 460 lb front springs from VB.my front ride height 27 7/8 ". a lot of replacement springs are shorter but thicker,resulting in a stock ride height. this is what VB told me when i ordered mine almost 5 yrs ago. maybe i'm getting too old or out of touch with the scene,but i don't see why you guys want to lower your vettes,unless they're sitting way to high to begin with. mine already bottoms out occasionally on uneven rutted roads,in fact usually i have to move over to get 1 side up on the "ridge",or i'll rub the pipes on the ground. oh well, to each his own!!!

 

I have the VB 550#s on my car with 255/15 60s. It lowered it but I'm not sure by how much.

 

This isn't a very good picture, but I too have the 550 pound coils in the front of my 74 and have lowered the back with 10" end bolts with 8 threads still showing. Oh, almost forgot. My tires are 25.6" tall.



[Modified by Stingy74, 11:00 PM 9/4/2001]

 

Red

Great pic. :cool: :cool:

 

I installed the VB Street/Salom and it dropped the front at least one inch. Combine that with the longer rear spring bolts and you will drop the back too.

 

Hi All,
Thanks for the great info.
It sounds like I MAy or May not get an inch lower then stock with the 550# front springs.
The temporary motor is a 305, THe suspension is tired, and I may not get any comparitive lowering, but My plan is to go to 17x9 Rims, and 275 40 17 tires.
I want to close the gaps that I expect will be present above the old style BFGs.
I also plan to Hot Lap it at Laguna Seca occasionally and want to set up the suspension right for mild road racing, cause that's what I like to do.
Thanks again for all the helpful info.
Evan

 

There are drop spindles for c3's. I know a guy who has them and asked him what brand they were but he hasn't told me yet so here goes:

Gman ( I think he's ramfire here or something like that) Where on earth did you get those spindles?????

Xander