How to lower front end??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: College Station / Highland Village TX
Re: How to lower front end?? (Corellian Corvette)
did you go from BB to SB or just lighter materials or what? (not that it matters to the answer)
if all else fails you could go the way of my friends 68 camaro and just put smaller wheels and tires on the front. (Don't worry he's going to fix that eventually)
if all else fails you could go the way of my friends 68 camaro and just put smaller wheels and tires on the front. (Don't worry he's going to fix that eventually)
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: carson Missouri
Re: How to lower front end?? (70 LS1)
I have always felt the front is too high on our vettes. So I installed VB front monospring system. Best money I have spent on the car yet. The ride heigth and spring rate are adjustable. Tailor it to your preference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Re: How to lower front end?? (70 LS1)
1. cut your coils
2. get correct rate coils from Corvette Central
3. use VB transverse fiberglass spring.
In any case, see the Vette Improvement Program article by John Greenwood in the archives. There are some limits as to how low you should go to avoid messing up the geometry.
2. get correct rate coils from Corvette Central
3. use VB transverse fiberglass spring.
In any case, see the Vette Improvement Program article by John Greenwood in the archives. There are some limits as to how low you should go to avoid messing up the geometry.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: How to lower front end?? (flynhi)
Herb Adams states in his book Chassis Engineering,
"Our recommendation for front springs on a street driven car is to use the standard factory coils. For street use you can trim one half coil off of the top of the spring with an acetylene torch to lower the car slightly.
Most spring rates range between 300 and 350 lbs-in. Trimming the coils as we've recommended will increase the rate approximatly 10%. But the true purpose of trimming front springs is to lower the car for improved aerodynamics and better handling, not to increase the spring rate.
Several cars like the Corvette with F-41 suspension are equipped with very high rate springs. We have found that the ride can be greatly improved by installing softer springs with no effect on handling capabilities of these cars. Many enthusiasts buy the standard spring soft springs and cut 1/2 coil for the proper ride height."
From: Chassis Design, Building & Tuning for High Performance Handling by Herb Adams. HP Books -#1055
Conflicting information every where you turn,
go figure..........................JIM :smash:
"Our recommendation for front springs on a street driven car is to use the standard factory coils. For street use you can trim one half coil off of the top of the spring with an acetylene torch to lower the car slightly.
Most spring rates range between 300 and 350 lbs-in. Trimming the coils as we've recommended will increase the rate approximatly 10%. But the true purpose of trimming front springs is to lower the car for improved aerodynamics and better handling, not to increase the spring rate.
Several cars like the Corvette with F-41 suspension are equipped with very high rate springs. We have found that the ride can be greatly improved by installing softer springs with no effect on handling capabilities of these cars. Many enthusiasts buy the standard spring soft springs and cut 1/2 coil for the proper ride height."
From: Chassis Design, Building & Tuning for High Performance Handling by Herb Adams. HP Books -#1055
Conflicting information every where you turn,
go figure..........................JIM :smash:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
From: College Station / Highland Village TX
Re: How to lower front end?? (70 LS1)
rambler323: I went to an all aluminum LS1 from a '99.
Nice choice! :yesnod:
[Modified by rambler323, 1:24 AM 3/28/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: How to lower front end?? (rambler323)
LS - I went through the same issue and ended up installing Moog BB springs. The run $48 at Autozone and will need to be cut. I cut a 1/2 coil and still set about 2 1/2" above a 245/60 15 tire. You will probably have to cut more. These are 460 rate springs and they ride firm.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 1
From: Wylie TX
Re: How to lower front end?? (Budman78)
Budman, how much did it lower it? I have 460 springs and am thinking about cutting them. Currently, my front fenders are at 28". I'd like to get it to the 27" range.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: How to lower front end?? (Chris A)
I was at 28 1/4 after the cut. It has probably settled more by now. I will measure tonight.
:eek: I measured tonight and it settled to 27 1/2" just 1 1/2" inches above the tire. Glad I didn't cut to much.
[Modified by Budman78, 5:44 PM 3/28/2002]
:eek: I measured tonight and it settled to 27 1/2" just 1 1/2" inches above the tire. Glad I didn't cut to much.
[Modified by Budman78, 5:44 PM 3/28/2002]
