Lowering the C3
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,529
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From: Sherwood Park Alberta
Lowering the C3
So I stopped off at Midas after work today (took the Vette to work since it was quite hot today). I booked a wheel alignment and asked if they could lower the vette while it's in the shop?
I tell the guy to cut a 1/2 to 1 coil off the springs and he says that's not the proper way to do it. You need to get "drop spindles." He said that by cutting the spring it'll throw the geometry out and things will start wearing faster than normal.
On CTOF, that's all I hear about is people cutting springs. What the Midas guy was saying seems to makes sense. Have any of you cut your springs and then wish you hadn't, or have some of you used drop spindles before? Have you cut your springs and all is still right with the world? Which way do you think is better?
I tell the guy to cut a 1/2 to 1 coil off the springs and he says that's not the proper way to do it. You need to get "drop spindles." He said that by cutting the spring it'll throw the geometry out and things will start wearing faster than normal.
On CTOF, that's all I hear about is people cutting springs. What the Midas guy was saying seems to makes sense. Have any of you cut your springs and then wish you hadn't, or have some of you used drop spindles before? Have you cut your springs and all is still right with the world? Which way do you think is better?
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Do you really want this in OT? 
Cut the springs or get shorter springs. Drop spindles will f-up the geometry. The scrub radius will change dramaticallty.
But when you cut springs, they get stiffer, too. Just be aware of that. Personally, I cut 1 full coil off mine and got a frop of about 1.5-2"
Cut the springs or get shorter springs. Drop spindles will f-up the geometry. The scrub radius will change dramaticallty.
But when you cut springs, they get stiffer, too. Just be aware of that. Personally, I cut 1 full coil off mine and got a frop of about 1.5-2"
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From: Dinosaur Victrola, Listnin' to Buck Owens...
Originally Posted by ddecart
Do you really want this in OT?
Cut the springs or get shorter springs. Drop spindles will f-up the geometry. The scrub radius will change dramaticallty.
But when you cut springs, they get stiffer, too. Just be aware of that. Personally, I cut 1 full coil off mine and got a frop of about 1.5-2"
Cut the springs or get shorter springs. Drop spindles will f-up the geometry. The scrub radius will change dramaticallty.
But when you cut springs, they get stiffer, too. Just be aware of that. Personally, I cut 1 full coil off mine and got a frop of about 1.5-2"
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SPARTAN
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If the springs are sagging to the point where you think they're uneven, you'd be better off getting new springs that are already lowered. That way you have some control over the spring rate.
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Originally Posted by E_Tar
whats a drop spindle ?
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Le Mans Master
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From: Waiting for the short bus to take me back to camp
I lowered my 69 442 with a pair of Chevy S-10 drop spindles and by cutting one coil out of the front springs.
Rode and handled pretty good for what it was. Stopped better too because I used the disc brakes off the S-10.
In your case, the alignment shop should still be able to give you the proper alignment with 1/2 a coil cut. It does mean you will run out of adjustment sooner as parts wear. Drop spindles will give you the lowered stance without causing alignment problems. I've never heard of drop spindles messing up suspension geometry.
Rode and handled pretty good for what it was. Stopped better too because I used the disc brakes off the S-10.
In your case, the alignment shop should still be able to give you the proper alignment with 1/2 a coil cut. It does mean you will run out of adjustment sooner as parts wear. Drop spindles will give you the lowered stance without causing alignment problems. I've never heard of drop spindles messing up suspension geometry.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
If there's a way to do something with or without the use of a torch, always pick the way with the torch. 
Le Mans Master
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From: Waiting for the short bus to take me back to camp
Originally Posted by Shark Racer
Torching a coil spring is a no no. Use a hacksaw to chop.
You can also heat the spring to compress it, but you will mess it up.
old school 
Le Mans Master
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From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Originally Posted by comp
it was a smart azzpost whats up with your Shields ???? BTW do they still hold the frog follies in Evansville, was there in 79.
