Front Coils
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 2
From: Visalia CA
Front Coils
I want to replace the front coils on my 71 coupe (TH400 and A/C) when I have/do the front end. I really want to stay as close to stock as possible and my local supension shop suggested I switch to big block coils.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
I put a 360 mono on the rear and 550 coils on the front. Matched it with Edlebrock IAS shocks. I love the ride. The VB&P 550's actually lowered my front by 1".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
My VB&P 550 lb springs have the fender lip at 27 1/2" from the center of the well to the ground. That's with P245 60 front tires and a smallblock 406. Ride is firm and corners flat.Wouldn't change them to anything else.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: Orange massachusettes
I too run the VB&P 550 coils in front but have a 330 glass spring in rear w/ Bilistien gas shocks all around. Althou the ride is not "terrible", to say the ride is firm, is being kind. It's pretty stiff. I agree the car corners flat, and the rear seems to ride fine. The car "sits" good in the front, not slammed, but low. The front end lets you know of even the smallest pothole/road imperfection. I run 60's series tires on stock ralleys. You can expect an even worse ride if your using 17's w/ low profile tires. There GT 460lb coils will be a better riding spring. You didnt state weather you have aluminum heads/intake/rad/ or headers. All of those things remove weight and can allow the front end to "sit" too high. My vette is a small block w/ all of those items. Its also a 4spd car w/p.s. being the only option. Its a fairly light car (as far as c3's go) and the front end was too high. The only reason I went w/550 coils was for the lower ride hieght. Your car may be heavy enough to "sit" right w/ the 460 coils, allowing you an improved ride. Just my .02.
Last edited by 72 LT1; Aug 11, 2007 at 08:08 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Des Allemands LA
ltlevil
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Factory front springs were about 280 - 300 lbs/inch for small blocks. However, stock replacement springs were usually about 500 lbs/inch.
Unfortunately, noone sells the 280 - 300 lbs factory springs.. If you get lucky at a swap meet, you might find some new old stock springs.
You can tell by looking at the springs. The 280 - 300 lbs/inch springs are very long and have thinner coils than the replacement springs. If you get for example stock replacement springs form Ecklers or any other parts store, you will get about 500 lbs/inch and a much stiffer ride but better handling than the stock springs. Other options are the 460lbs/inch or 550lbs/inch springs that VBP sells. You won't find any springs with the stock spring rate except for NOS (new old stock).
The only thing that the stock springs are good for is Drag Racing as they are very soft. You will get better handling with any of the replacement springs.
The 550 lbs/inch springs actually lowers the ride height compared to the stock springs (when new). However, compared to old worn out springs, the 550 lbs/inch springs might have similar ride height.. Worn out stock springs can drop as much as 3 inches..
Unfortunately, noone sells the 280 - 300 lbs factory springs.. If you get lucky at a swap meet, you might find some new old stock springs.
You can tell by looking at the springs. The 280 - 300 lbs/inch springs are very long and have thinner coils than the replacement springs. If you get for example stock replacement springs form Ecklers or any other parts store, you will get about 500 lbs/inch and a much stiffer ride but better handling than the stock springs. Other options are the 460lbs/inch or 550lbs/inch springs that VBP sells. You won't find any springs with the stock spring rate except for NOS (new old stock).
The only thing that the stock springs are good for is Drag Racing as they are very soft. You will get better handling with any of the replacement springs.
The 550 lbs/inch springs actually lowers the ride height compared to the stock springs (when new). However, compared to old worn out springs, the 550 lbs/inch springs might have similar ride height.. Worn out stock springs can drop as much as 3 inches..
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Didn't the late Gymkhana Suspensions come with like 550 lb. front springs?
Edit:
Aha! Unless they changed it later, the gymkhana suspension did indeed come with 550 lb. front springs.
http://100megsfree4.com/corvette/1970/vet74.htm
Edit:
Aha! Unless they changed it later, the gymkhana suspension did indeed come with 550 lb. front springs.
http://100megsfree4.com/corvette/1970/vet74.htm
Last edited by Kalway; Oct 17, 2007 at 08:54 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,924
Likes: 6
these trw springs are short money on a popular website. but what are they? Gymkhana?
This is a set of 2 TRW Coil Spring FRONT WCS5762 FOR:
CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1963-1982.
INSIDE DIA.= 3.825 in.; BAR DIA.= 0.656 in.; FREE HEIGHT= 13.13 in.; SPRING RATE= 474 Lbs./In.; LOAD= 1061 Lbs.; LOAD HEIGHT= 11 in.; END 1= TANGENTIAL; END 2= TANGENTIAL
This is a set of 2 TRW Coil Spring FRONT WCS5762 FOR:
CHEVROLET CORVETTE 1963-1982.
INSIDE DIA.= 3.825 in.; BAR DIA.= 0.656 in.; FREE HEIGHT= 13.13 in.; SPRING RATE= 474 Lbs./In.; LOAD= 1061 Lbs.; LOAD HEIGHT= 11 in.; END 1= TANGENTIAL; END 2= TANGENTIAL
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
