550 lb front coils..

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Apr 10, 2008 | 01:12 PM

#21

jerome1979

Racer

Joined: Apr 2005

Posts: 465

Likes: 1

From: FRANCE (Lyon)

Before install (with stock engine all cast iron setup!)

me with stock spring and 550Lbs VBP spring

i have aluminum head intake and electric fan

After install (i don't notice a difference on height after fews miles for set the spring)

to be clear i don't seen any height difference between stock and 550LBs spring but what a better ride quality!!! (beware i have european request for handling)

Last edited by jerome1979; Apr 10, 2008 at 01:15 PM.

Apr 10, 2008 | 02:55 PM

#22

rihwoods

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 16,100

Likes: 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by S489

this it?
http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/vip.pdf

That be the one..thanks..bookmarked it this time...

Apr 10, 2008 | 04:57 PM

#23

Grimlock

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,302

Likes: 4

From: Palo Alto CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redshark6974

odds are, you will have to cut a full coil. The 550s don't really put you down, especially if your running an aluminum headed small block. I have 460s and cut 1.25 coils off.

Off topic: Really sharp looking car. I typically hate the L-88 hood and red is one of my least favorite colors, but it really works on your car!

Apr 10, 2008 | 05:18 PM

#24

Shirley1978

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 761

Likes: 0

From: san jose California

ok here are the pics of the 550 coils installed on my 78, i have a dewitts radiator with spal fans, and a gm 350 260hp crate in there with iron heads and intake. rebuild the engine with aluminum heads and forged internals

i measured my hooker supercomp headers, they are a mere 2 inches above the ground

... but other then that, i freaken love the way it looks..

Apr 10, 2008 | 05:46 PM

#25

rihwoods

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 16,100

Likes: 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shirley1978

i measured my hooker supercomp headers, they are a mere 2 inches above the ground

... but other then that, i freaken love the way it looks..

Can you give a dimension from pavement to center of your wheel well lip edge...??? Reason I ask is I cut 1/2 coil and it dropped an inch...you may be borderline if you came down two inches...

Rich

Last edited by rihwoods; Apr 10, 2008 at 05:49 PM.

Apr 10, 2008 | 06:30 PM

#26

Grimlock

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,302

Likes: 4

From: Palo Alto CA

That looks dangerously low to me. I wouldn't drive it in the condition personally.

Apr 10, 2008 | 08:42 PM

#27

PeteZO6

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 1,970

Likes: 45

From: Cameron Park CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimlock

That looks dangerously low to me. I wouldn't drive it in the condition personally.

Me too. I would be afraid a tire would catch on the fender and rip a chunk off.

Mine sits slightly high because I have aluminum heads, intake, water pump, Hooker headers, and no smog pump. I need (want) to lower it slightly, but not that much. That's my dilemma, what springs to bring the front down just a tad.

BTW, cutting a coil spring will make it stiffer, i.e., increase the force required to compress it a given amount.

Cheers,
Pete

Apr 10, 2008 | 10:07 PM

#28

Shirley1978

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 761

Likes: 0

From: san jose California

it doesnt hit when i go over bumps.. i obsessivly checked fenderwell clearance and its good... im bringing it up about an inch with some spacers.. but it drives good.

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Apr 10, 2008 | 11:16 PM

#29

petronix

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 228

Likes: 3

From: Tampa FL

At that height you are probably riding on the bump stops, if they are installed.

Apr 11, 2008 | 12:22 AM

#30

rihwoods

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 16,100

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Shirley1978

it doesnt hit when i go over bumps.. i obsessivly checked fenderwell clearance and its good... im bringing it up about an inch with some spacers.. but it drives good.

Not sure about absolute limits,but issue is if you drop to low,it messes up front end geometry...so general rule of thumb is 2" max.......either way,you must re-align front end when you are done...

Apr 11, 2008 | 08:14 AM

#31

S489

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 1,024

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From: AL

Quote:

Originally Posted by rihwoods

Not sure about absolute limits,but issue is if you drop to low,it messes up front end geometry...so general rule of thumb is 2" max.......either way,you must re-align front end when you are done...

the link in post #20 gives some guidance on some suspension dimensions as well

Apr 11, 2008 | 09:55 AM

#32

LFZ

Team Owner

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 30,183

Likes: 313

From: Lake Norman NC

you need to bring down the back end! other than that..looks good..might be a tad too low though..

Apr 11, 2008 | 10:25 AM

#33

rihwoods

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 16,100

Likes: 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by S489

the link in post #20 gives some guidance on some suspension dimensions as well

Right...

Apr 11, 2008 | 11:52 AM

#34

SpE3dF0x

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 128

Likes: 0

From: San Antonio Texas

For instance, is it possible to have 550's in the rear and stock in front??

Apr 11, 2008 | 12:14 PM

#35

I'm Batman

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 23,831

Likes: 10

From: Springfield MO

St. Jude Donor '07

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpE3dF0x

For instance, is it possible to have 550's in the rear and stock in front??

The rear end doesn't use coil springs.

Apr 11, 2008 | 12:17 PM

#36

OregonVette80

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 830

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shirley1978

...they are a mere 2 inches above the ground

... but other then that, i freaken love the way it looks..

did you put the spacers in yet? You're not planning on driving it this way are you?
We need to keep as many of these C3's on the road and not in a wrecking yard. That looks a bit...dangerous

Apr 11, 2008 | 04:47 PM

#37

Shirley1978

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 761

Likes: 0

From: san jose California

Quote:

Originally Posted by OregonVette80

did you put the spacers in yet? You're not planning on driving it this way are you?
We need to keep as many of these C3's on the road and not in a wrecking yard. That looks a bit...dangerous

yes i am driving it, it does not rub mainly because i havent gotten the alighment done yet, which would straighten out the front wheels from theyre slanted state..

i havent drivin it far, just to the movies last night and twice to work last week...

will put in the spacers 2morrow

Apr 11, 2008 | 07:37 PM

#38

Grimlock

Drifting

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,302

Likes: 4

From: Palo Alto CA

Not only could you have issues with damage to your car or yourself, but I would be worried about Law Enforcement forcing you to tow your car if they saw it that low. I can imagine any police officer thinking that would be safe for California roads. When I see your car like that it remonds me of many of the Hondas that I see here around the Bay Area that cut their spings unsafely. Glad to hear you are going to fix this soon!

I hope those spacers do the trick!