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550# VBP springs question

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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 05:19 PM
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Default 550# VBP springs question

My front end is apart right now while i rebuild it with the VBP super front end kit. thing is i want to go ahead and lower it while its apart. im thinking about the VBP 550# springs. they say it will lower it one inch. and then use longer bolts in the back. 8 or 10 inch i guess. now, i have a deep sump oil pan thats about 1inch deeper then stock. can anybody help me with a picture of how much ground clearance i would have with the 550s and a deep oil pan. or even a stock one for that and i can tell the rest. it would be greatly appreciated.

P.S...other then the springs my suspension would be stock. shocks and all. would it negatively affect anything to use these springs with stock shocks?..would i just need to upgrade now?..money is wearing thin, but sometimes you gotta go what you gotta do.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 05:35 PM
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I would put the spring in and once you have the motor and everything else in then adjust springs. You may have to cut them or maybe not, depending on the stance your looking for. As far as shocks, I would invest in Bilsteins Sports. You will not beleive the ride. Worth every dollor.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 05:46 PM
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Yes, onger rear spring bolts & the rear spring rate should be increased.
FE7 optional sus. uses 550 front & 300 rear so you could use the FE7 rear spring.

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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 07:25 PM
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any ideas on the oil pan clearance?..thats my biggest worry. well..that and my new super comps getting ruined.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 10:42 PM
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if you mean 550 coils DO NOT CUT a coil off.. i did this and my car was WAY too low..
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by whitelightning94
any ideas on the oil pan clearance?..thats my biggest worry. well..that and my new super comps getting ruined.
I have a 8 quart deep RR pan and the lowest point is still the header collector flanges I had 550# for about 20 years
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 12:37 AM
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Hi, I installed VBP 550 springs a few months ago. I was worried about them being to low, but the height ended being perfect in my opinion. Ive got maybe one inch between tire and the bottom of fender lip. I also have AC which makes a difference in the weight. I think your oil pan will be fine. I have seen several Vettes with the lower stance and its more to my liking. So I am glad I went with those springs. A bit of advice about the rear spring bolts. I got the 8 inch bolts and I have them as low as they will go and they still are not low enough for my taste. Basically the height does not match the front. The length of the bolts are not 1:1. I need to now get 10 inch bolts, since I need about another 1.25 inches to go.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 01:09 AM
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thank you everybody.
and thank you very much rob, that is exactly what i was needing to know. 1 inch of fender gap is what im looking to get. i have AC also. but i also have aluminum heads and intake. so i may set slightly higher then you. im not sure. do you happen to have any pictures of your car? i would very much like to see how it sets. and maybe a picture of the clearance under it. if its not a lot of trouble.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 01:16 AM
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I would buy instead QA1 double adjustable semicoilovers - you can adjust ride height in 15minutes into whatever you like. I have been totally satisfied with them.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 02:59 AM
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bump for the 10" rear bolts. i just removed 8" bolts on mine and installed the 10". now it sets low like i want it.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 10:30 AM
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I have a 6qt pan instead of the stock 5qt, running the 550 VBP springs with a 1/4 coil cut off and I will be removing them again to cut another 1/4 for a total of 1/2 coil cut off... currently not a problem, and I don't see a problem going a little lower. (But I have gone all aluminum under the hood) And yes... go Bilsten Sports all around and a compost rear leaf. AND while you are changing springs change your bushings and ball joints... and I would go poly with a lot of grease.

Last edited by pauldana; Oct 12, 2009 at 10:24 AM.
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Old Oct 10, 2009 | 12:05 PM
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Whitelightning, check out this thread, (copy and paste)

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...d-lowered.html

RSvette82, has a very nice looking ride. I am trying to get this look myself. If you read thru the thread he mentions his wheel/tire size and height that he measured. I am very close to what he has on the front, but not their on the back yet. I should of also mentioned your wheel size which will have something to do with the height. I have 255/60/15 stock rims, but plan to go to 255/17/50 which are about exactly the same dimension. I do not have any pictures available just yet of my car, but as mentioned this car in the thread is a good starting point.
I will post new pics once I get my ride height to where I need it. ( I will mention in the thread I attached, he cut his springs, but I am about the same height with my 550lb)
I also have stock exhaust, but you should not have a problems with the collectors hitting. I have seen folks with as low as 3-4 inches from the ground with their collectors.
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