lowering
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Foley MN
lowering
I'd like to frop the '75 2-3" all around, I think the back can be done w a simple spring end bolt change. But I have seen no drop spindles or lowering springs for the front. will the old school wack a coil trick work? We are talking a COLD Clean saw cut, not a torch em deal that pulls the temper and spring rate out of the next coil.. Leading to spring sag or unpredictable rate changes 
Last edited by MNGas; Jun 9, 2010 at 01:06 AM.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Foley MN
The problem there is the gap between tire and fender lip. Thats why I asked. Vettes (Or anything else for that matter) tend to take on a 4x4 look w only shorter rubber and no body drop.
Last edited by MNGas; Jun 9, 2010 at 08:16 AM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: Racine Wisconsin
On my vehicle, one coil cut from the front spring equaled around 1" of ride height. I cut 1/2 coil at a time and made measurements. Cuts were made with a thin grinding wheel--very little heat generated. I would have preferred the VBP transverse front spring. Maybe in the future.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 76
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From: Foley MN
Thats the way I have always done it on my hotrods and customs as well , Funny that there are no drop springs avail. At least that I could find in the few of the C3 vendor catalogs I have so far..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
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From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
I'd like to frop the '75 2-3" all around, I think the back can be done w a simple spring end bolt change. But I have seen no drop spindles or lowering springs for the front. will the old school wack a coil trick work? We are talking a COLD Clean saw cut, not a torch em deal that pulls the temper and spring rate out of the next coil.. Leading to spring sag or unpredictable rate changes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Ive got 1 1/8 front coil cut out of a 460lb spring. The SBC engine set-up only needed 3/4 turn for the same ride height, but the LS1 set-up with AC removed, needed the 1 1/8 since its ~100lb lighter over the front wheels. The coils were cut with a 4inch Makita angle grinder.
The rear is lowered by 10 inch bolts, cut down to 9 inch, and maxed out on threads. The bolts are C4 lowering bolts from VBP.
No issues here with that set-up and rides very nicely.
My wheels all around only have 3.75 inch backspace, instead of the OEM 4.00 inch, so Ive gained 1/4 inch clearance, which is useful in the back to keep the bolt away from the rear tires inside sidewall.
Never heard of a VBP drop spindle for C3 Corvettes.
B.
The rear is lowered by 10 inch bolts, cut down to 9 inch, and maxed out on threads. The bolts are C4 lowering bolts from VBP.
No issues here with that set-up and rides very nicely.
My wheels all around only have 3.75 inch backspace, instead of the OEM 4.00 inch, so Ive gained 1/4 inch clearance, which is useful in the back to keep the bolt away from the rear tires inside sidewall.
Never heard of a VBP drop spindle for C3 Corvettes.
B.
Last edited by MN-Brent; Jun 9, 2010 at 05:49 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
When slamming a shark, as it's worth noting a number of issues come into play when you start messing with suspension geometry, I'd urge a good bit of forethought before going lower than Chevy Power book ride hieght recommendations of 1" - 1 1'4" Z heights and 1 1/4" D heights...
If that's not low enough, dropped front spindles would then be the way to go, but there are still issues out back which have to be considered.
FWIW, VBP's 550# front coils usually drop the front ~1" from standard ride height. However, cutting springs is NOT necessarily a bad thing (
). It does raise the effective spring rate, but you can do it without using a torch (carbide blade works great).
That said, without a suitable tire/wheel combo ride height changes won't solve every fender to tire gap problem.
TSW
edit - MN-Brent you might want to think about a clipped main leaf.
If that's not low enough, dropped front spindles would then be the way to go, but there are still issues out back which have to be considered.
FWIW, VBP's 550# front coils usually drop the front ~1" from standard ride height. However, cutting springs is NOT necessarily a bad thing (
). It does raise the effective spring rate, but you can do it without using a torch (carbide blade works great). That said, without a suitable tire/wheel combo ride height changes won't solve every fender to tire gap problem.
TSW
edit - MN-Brent you might want to think about a clipped main leaf.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Jun 9, 2010 at 06:05 PM.
Great info guys thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Spring has a solid 5/8 inch clearance at this point.
If anything, I'm going 18s in the rear, same as Motorheads set-up! I hoping he'll tire of his combo and sell me his rollers!
My Dunlops are 6 yrs old now and gettin' a little slippery.
If anything, I'm going 18s in the rear, same as Motorheads set-up! I hoping he'll tire of his combo and sell me his rollers!
My Dunlops are 6 yrs old now and gettin' a little slippery.
LOOKS GOOD THOUGH--
