Lower a C3...Why? How?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 2
From: Peoplez Republik (communist portland) Orygun
Lower a C3...Why? How?
My 1980 currently has the stock suspension & 9 leaf rear spring.
I see many members have slightly lowered their C3's. Why did you do it? And HOW do you lower your C3? Is there a simple "Lowering kit" that bolts onto the springs & tightens them down to thus lower vehicle ride height?
I see many members have slightly lowered their C3's. Why did you do it? And HOW do you lower your C3? Is there a simple "Lowering kit" that bolts onto the springs & tightens them down to thus lower vehicle ride height?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Loveland Colo
"Why" has two answers. 1) For increased performance by lowering the center of gravity (roll center) to keep the car flatter in cornering and thus more rubber on the ground for cornering traction, or in high speed applications to reduce the amount of air going under the car and causing uplift. B) For increased sex appeal because it looks so bitchin' to have a slammed ride when parked at the drive-in.
"How" is to run the nuts on the rear spring bolts down farther to lower the back end (which may require longer bolts), and to install shorter (typically stiffer) front coils or cut the ones you have to lower the front. The rear is quite easy, the front not so easy.
John
"How" is to run the nuts on the rear spring bolts down farther to lower the back end (which may require longer bolts), and to install shorter (typically stiffer) front coils or cut the ones you have to lower the front. The rear is quite easy, the front not so easy.
John
Last edited by JPhil; Nov 4, 2006 at 07:21 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
seems easy,
is there an adjustable coilover set-up for the front? or is it possible? I have a 79...
the rear seems adjustable too....depending on how much you drive the bolts down too right?.......I'm kinda pumped up about this....i can basically lower it for free!...
are there any pictures of the rear pointing out the bolts and all?....I ahvn't been under the rear yet.....in the process of building a 383 .....thanks for any help!
ryan
is there an adjustable coilover set-up for the front? or is it possible? I have a 79...
the rear seems adjustable too....depending on how much you drive the bolts down too right?.......I'm kinda pumped up about this....i can basically lower it for free!...
are there any pictures of the rear pointing out the bolts and all?....I ahvn't been under the rear yet.....in the process of building a 383 .....thanks for any help!
ryan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO.
speed direct makes a very expensive bolt on kit...look here
http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=132
http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=132
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Loveland Colo
Originally Posted by mod81
speed direct makes a very expensive bolt on kit...look here
http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=132
http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=132
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Originally Posted by Vette80regon
My 1980 currently has the stock suspension & 9 leaf rear spring.
I see many members have slightly lowered their C3's. Why did you do it? And HOW do you lower your C3? Is there a simple "Lowering kit" that bolts onto the springs & tightens them down to thus lower vehicle ride height?
I see many members have slightly lowered their C3's. Why did you do it? And HOW do you lower your C3? Is there a simple "Lowering kit" that bolts onto the springs & tightens them down to thus lower vehicle ride height?
Lowering front reduces air flow under vette and reduces "lift" or light steering at higher speeds...you must get alignment re-done after lowering..
For comparison,you can see difference from the 78 to my 69
Rich
Last edited by rihwoods; Nov 6, 2006 at 10:26 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
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From: Washington DC
i like the stock height of vettes, i personally wouldnt lower one, although i would put harder suspension in there so the nose doesn't lift up so much and for better traction. I dont plan on auto-x'ing mine though so im ok with it for now 
Last edited by karioth; Nov 7, 2006 at 12:21 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I replaced the original Gymkhana suspension springs with a comparable composite in the rear and equivalent coils in front. My '80 stood so high it looked like I was ready to go mudding. The tires looked undersized in the wheel well.
I put longer bolts in the back and VBP front monospring. Both spring rate and ride height are adjustable. I've got it set just where I want it.
I put longer bolts in the back and VBP front monospring. Both spring rate and ride height are adjustable. I've got it set just where I want it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by karioth
i like the stock height of vettes, i personally wouldnt lower one, although i would put harder suspension in their so the nose doesnt lift up so much and for better traction. I dont plan on auto-x'ing mine though so im ok with it for now
I like the the height of the stock vette. Lowering one an inch or less is fine. More than that and they start to look like the springs are sagging due to being overweight.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 402
Likes: 4
From: Nassau
This is the coil over set up I have for mine http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1935
If you want to do it free all you need to do is cut a coil at a time off the front springs and get longer bolts for the rear springs. When you lower the rear make sure to pay attention to the clearance between the ends of the spring and the tyres.
If you want to do it free all you need to do is cut a coil at a time off the front springs and get longer bolts for the rear springs. When you lower the rear make sure to pay attention to the clearance between the ends of the spring and the tyres.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Originally Posted by mandm1200
I like the the height of the stock vette. Lowering one an inch or less is fine. More than that and they start to look like the springs are sagging due to being overweight.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 147
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From: New Jersey
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Use these ride height specifications, from 1980 AIM, to determine the current height vs. the desired height. You will likely be satisfied with the lower end of the factory specs. Some like it even lower than factory minimum.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
To keep it cheap you can cut the front springs and purchase 8" spring bolts for the rear.
You can also install BB front spring and that will get you about an inch drop and the spring are $80 for the pair. If you go with a fiberglass rear spring your going to want to go to a little bit of a stiffer rear spring and you will need to buy different shocks as well. Rear spring is $330 and good shocks will run you $80 a shock or $280 for all 4.
You can also install BB front spring and that will get you about an inch drop and the spring are $80 for the pair. If you go with a fiberglass rear spring your going to want to go to a little bit of a stiffer rear spring and you will need to buy different shocks as well. Rear spring is $330 and good shocks will run you $80 a shock or $280 for all 4.
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Clarenville Newfoundland and labrador
If your thinking about lowering your Vette the roads down there must be much better than ours. I was actually thinking of raising mine a inch or two because I keep bottoming out way too much. It's a bit scary as you never know what is going to fall off.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm in louisiana.....hwy's aren't bad....some of the older roads around here are pretty bad...i don't drive the vette every day though....i'm also used to driving lowered cars.....my grand prix gtp is extremely low.....considering it's not on bags...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
I am using a composite mono in the back with 10" bolts. Using the VBP front mono as well, which gives ride height adjustability. Car is lowered about 3" Lowest point of car is the side exhaust headers. They are about 1/4" lower than the oil pan. Just have to be carefull over speed bumps. I am also running the front (adjustible) at 3/4 stiff (4 settings) and have bilstein sports all the way around. I don't drive all the time, maybe 2000 miles per year, but I also don't go on cruddy roads, and if I have to I go slow. I am used to it, but steep driveways, as well as speed bumps, I need to go slow on.
IMO, it looks better, has better control and handles great. All vettes are a little high in my opinion. I am in the process of lowering my '59 as well. Even the '00 vert was high. They all look like a 4x4 (not so much the c5's and 6's though). Lowering will also bring your center of gravity down so you can corner better..
This js the finshed product
IMO, it looks better, has better control and handles great. All vettes are a little high in my opinion. I am in the process of lowering my '59 as well. Even the '00 vert was high. They all look like a 4x4 (not so much the c5's and 6's though). Lowering will also bring your center of gravity down so you can corner better..
This js the finshed product