Lowering C3
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Bethlehem Pa
Lowering C3
Hello everyone. I am new to the forum. I purchased an 80 vette in May and am in the restoration process. I am currently having a 355 built for it. I am also replacing all the worn out bushings, steering components, and everything else I see that needs replacing. I would really like to drop the car a good 2 to 3 inches, but am unsure about what companies make good lowering springs for the front and I am totally unsure on how to lower the rear of the car. What would be a good setup for lowering the car? Thankyou for the help!
Dave
Dave
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Lowering C3 (DaveMerth)
Hi, welcome to the forum. As you can see from my picture below, I lowered the front and back of my car. I used the F-41 550lb coils in the front without spacers to acheive almost no gap between the fender and top of the tire. For the back I got 10" end bolts with the nuts turned about 3/4 of the way down. The back could probably come down 1/2" or more or wherever the heck I want it. I should also mention that my tires are only 25.6" tall, a fair amount shorter than stock.
[Modified by Stingy74, 4:17 PM 12/13/2001]
[Modified by Stingy74, 4:17 PM 12/13/2001]
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From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Lowering C3 (DaveMerth)
I just realized that you said you weren't sure how to lower the back. I went out into the garage and took a few pictures to show you how.
This is my fiberglass spring (yours may be a 7 or 9 leaf steel spring) and the extended bolts that came with it which are about 7" long (not the 10" ones I mentioned earlier). As you turn the nut on the bolt so it get's closer to the bottom the car will get lower. If you are using stock length bolts you may run out of bolt and not be happy with the height of the car. This is where you have to get the longer bolts so you have more room to adjust. Keep in mind though that as you raise or lower any car you will be changing the alignment, sometimes to the point that you could wear tires out prematuraly.
[Modified by Stingy74, 4:20 PM 12/13/2001]
This is my fiberglass spring (yours may be a 7 or 9 leaf steel spring) and the extended bolts that came with it which are about 7" long (not the 10" ones I mentioned earlier). As you turn the nut on the bolt so it get's closer to the bottom the car will get lower. If you are using stock length bolts you may run out of bolt and not be happy with the height of the car. This is where you have to get the longer bolts so you have more room to adjust. Keep in mind though that as you raise or lower any car you will be changing the alignment, sometimes to the point that you could wear tires out prematuraly.
[Modified by Stingy74, 4:20 PM 12/13/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
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From: Reston VA
Re: Lowering C3 (DaveMerth)
You can buy the longer bolt kit for lowering the rear end from any of the majors. I have had great luck with http://www.vettebrakes.com/
:seeya
:seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Austin TX
Re: Lowering C3 (ScubaJKD)
Be careful with this. See the archive article from the Vette Improvement Program on suspensions. Do not adjust the rear beyond the point where the half shaft is level. It will really screw up the geometry and accelerate tire wear.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Lowering C3 (DaveMerth)
On my 1980 I installed the 550 lb springs and it now sits higher than before. I would just cut one coil, but that increases the spring rate, and the 550's cause enough squeeks and rattles.
So, I will soon be installing some 460 lb springs, starting with one full coil cut and working from there until I get the right height.
So, I will soon be installing some 460 lb springs, starting with one full coil cut and working from there until I get the right height.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: B'Ville NY
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St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Lowering C3 (DaveMerth)
Because my shocks were shot, I had no rear swaybar, I wanted to replace the heavy steel leaf with a modern lightweight fiberglass spring, etc., etc..... I bought the VetteBrakes Street & Slalom suspension kit. This included new front coil springs also. This kit lowered my car in the front, and allows the rear to be adjusted in height. A big improvement over my 27 yr old worn out suspension.
My tires are 26" versus 27" so that too lowered the car.
[Modified by SmokedTires, 5:34 AM 12/14/2001]
My tires are 26" versus 27" so that too lowered the car.
[Modified by SmokedTires, 5:34 AM 12/14/2001]
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Lowering C3 (427V8)
I can't beleive some of you guys aren't happy with the height of your cars with the 550lb springs. They did exactly what I wanted them to, and as you can see there is almost no gap between the tire and front fenders on my 74. And to top things off my tires are only 25.6" tall. If they were 27" it might look like it's too low.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,145
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Re: Lowering C3 (BSeery)
B
Are you sure the springs are seated correctly? Be careful about cutting those 460 springs. I cut off 3/4 a coil and it was perfect. Any lower and I would be asking for trouble. The headers already occasionally scrape on large speed bumps or odd driveways.
Chris
Are you sure the springs are seated correctly? Be careful about cutting those 460 springs. I cut off 3/4 a coil and it was perfect. Any lower and I would be asking for trouble. The headers already occasionally scrape on large speed bumps or odd driveways.
Chris
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Lowering C3 (DaveMerth)
Be carefull if you lower the front with an '80. I cut one coil off and I am happy.
The car is 26.5 inches from wheel well to pavement and I would not like to go any lower because the spoiler on the front is now only 2 inches of the ground.
You kinda have to plan how you get in and out of parking lots, not so bad because it's not a daily driver. Older Vettes can get away with lower because they don't have the spoiler ( air dam ).
The car is 26.5 inches from wheel well to pavement and I would not like to go any lower because the spoiler on the front is now only 2 inches of the ground.
You kinda have to plan how you get in and out of parking lots, not so bad because it's not a daily driver. Older Vettes can get away with lower because they don't have the spoiler ( air dam ).
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St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Lowering C3 (71roadster)
B
Are you sure the springs are seated correctly? Be careful about cutting those 460 springs. I cut off 3/4 a coil and it was perfect. Any lower and I would be asking for trouble. The headers already occasionally scrape on large speed bumps or odd driveways.
Chris
Are you sure the springs are seated correctly? Be careful about cutting those 460 springs. I cut off 3/4 a coil and it was perfect. Any lower and I would be asking for trouble. The headers already occasionally scrape on large speed bumps or odd driveways.
Chris
