Help: Need Shorter Front Springs
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 96
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From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
Help: Need Shorter Front Springs
I have a 72 BB with Alum. heads and intake. The 17" wheels and tires along with the lighter weight of the intake and heads leave me about 1 - 1/2" too tall in the front. I really do not like the idea of a cut spring and want to know if there is an "off the shelf" item that would work or is there a company that winds coil springs to order?
thanks for the help
thanks for the help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
If your afraid to cut coil springs, there are other options:
1)Get a front mono-spring kit from VBP and use it to adjust your ride height/spring rate as you see fit.
2)Get some coil overs from Van Steel, Speed Direct, or other sources, and use these to adjust ride height/spring rate as well.
Maybe someone else can pipe in with other options.
B.
1)Get a front mono-spring kit from VBP and use it to adjust your ride height/spring rate as you see fit.
2)Get some coil overs from Van Steel, Speed Direct, or other sources, and use these to adjust ride height/spring rate as well.
Maybe someone else can pipe in with other options.
B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
From what I've seen, the 550's typically lower most C3's ~1" from OEM heights. Even then, you might end up needing to make an adjustment or you might not want to work from that particular rate, but either way cutting coils isn't that difficult. (Take material off from the bottom.) A fresh carbide hacksaw blade makes quick work of them. Just be sure not to take too much at once, and to properly reseat the top/closed end into the upper spring pocket in the frame.
TSW
TSW
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge Louisiana
From what I've seen, the 550's typically lower most C3's ~1" from OEM heights. Even then, you might end up needing to make an adjustment or you might not want to work from that particular rate, but either way cutting coils isn't that difficult. (Take material off from the bottom.) A fresh carbide hacksaw blade makes quick work of them. Just be sure not to take too much at once, and to properly reseat the top/closed end into the upper spring pocket in the frame.
TSW
TSW
You are absolutely sure about this. CUT END ON THE BOTTOM?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
What is the stock spring rate, and what would you recomend for street performance and stance? I like the idea of 1.5 inches lower as I will be adding the one piece Indy spoiler to my 71 before the she comes out of the garage in a moth or so. Thanks.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I don't have a problem cutting the coil, I have a band saw which makes short work of that. What you said about seating the coil spring is where i may have screwed up. You said to seat the top of the spring and have the cut end to go on the bottom? I had it backwards. I had the stock end in the bottom and the cut in the top.
You are absolutely sure about this. CUT END ON THE BOTTOM?
You are absolutely sure about this. CUT END ON THE BOTTOM?
Some people make the mistake of just raising the spring into the pocket and assuming it's seated. You have to nudge the spring over with a crowbar as it's being raised and verify that you can see the end of the spring through the inspection hole in the upper pocket to make sure the spring is seated correctly.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
....Some people make the mistake of just raising the spring into the pocket and assuming it's seated. You have to nudge the spring over with a crowbar as it's being raised and verify that you can see the end of the spring through the inspection hole in the upper pocket to make sure the spring is seated correctly.Rick B.
so true ... you must verify spring seated
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I used the shorter 550# from Vette brakes for years. Even with my lightened front end I had to use a home made spacer under the springs. MY advice is to make the front end adjustable. I can adjust my front ride height up and down in a matter of minutes
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...oil-overs.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...oil-overs.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
Likes: 6
From: Burlington wisconsin
The 550's lower it 1" & the 460's I havent found to lower anything at all without cutting. I have a "new spare" pair of 460's cut 1 coil (1 turn) and it leaves the front wheel well at the top of the tire. Cut the bottom (not top as I incorrectly stated earlier) of the spring & seat the bottom in the c-arm & leave the top where it lies. Per VB&P ** Edited for correction **
Last edited by cherrybombc3; Feb 14, 2010 at 01:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
The 550's lower it 1" & the 460's I havent found to lower anything at all without cutting. I have a "new spare" pair of 460's cut 1 coil (1 turn) and it leaves the front wheel well at the top of the tire. Cut the top of the spring & seat the (un cut) bottom in the c-arm & leave the top where it lies. I'd sell the new cut VB&P 460's for $50 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
Likes: 6
From: Burlington wisconsin
I checked my phone notes from my convesation with VB&P & I stand corrected, sorry I dont like posting bugus info. You are correct, cut the bottom even though they are symetrical & almost impossible to determine top from bottom. However I was informed to seat the bottom "cut end" of the coil in the lower pocket & leave the top end where it lies. 
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I lay on the ground and look up with the spring and shock out and I marked the point of the upper spring pocket. So I know where to place the spring.
