lowering suspension
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
lowering suspension
hi? I have a 82 corvette. It time for suspension work. I want lower approximately /between 1 to 2 inches
I want to lower car front and rear but i need your help, advice, guidance and DIY instructions.
What do i need to do to lower the front and what parts do i need? How much should i cut or where should i cut d spring?
How do i lower the rear and what parts do i need to lower it? What do i need to install on the car for aligning the front and rear? How long of a bolt do i need?
Do i need a traction bar and is there clearance under the car after lowering for a traction bar? Traction bar to stop wheel hop. Car HP is below 300.
What rim size will fit on the car after lowering?
Is it a good idea to lower the car or not?
What is the difficult level to do this job? I am mechanical incline. I lower japanese cars all the time.
All instructions and pictures will be helpful.
This car is not for track but i want it to look good and handles better. thanks for all your inputs
I want to lower car front and rear but i need your help, advice, guidance and DIY instructions.
What do i need to do to lower the front and what parts do i need? How much should i cut or where should i cut d spring?
How do i lower the rear and what parts do i need to lower it? What do i need to install on the car for aligning the front and rear? How long of a bolt do i need?
Do i need a traction bar and is there clearance under the car after lowering for a traction bar? Traction bar to stop wheel hop. Car HP is below 300.
What rim size will fit on the car after lowering?
Is it a good idea to lower the car or not?
What is the difficult level to do this job? I am mechanical incline. I lower japanese cars all the time.
All instructions and pictures will be helpful.
This car is not for track but i want it to look good and handles better. thanks for all your inputs
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 6
From: Tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '12
I'll probably get kicked around for this....
I lowered my car about 2 inches by cutting a coil out of the front springs (using a die cutter, not a torch). Then I put a stiffer composite spring in the back and longer spring bolts ( the ones that tie the spring to the trailing arm assemblies).
I'm very pleased with the ride and handling is still on par for a C3. It feels a bit tighter, but I doubt it really is. What really pleases me is the way the tires now fill the wheel wells. I use 18" rims, but the rubber is calculated to be about the same as stock rubber in diameter.
I lowered my car about 2 inches by cutting a coil out of the front springs (using a die cutter, not a torch). Then I put a stiffer composite spring in the back and longer spring bolts ( the ones that tie the spring to the trailing arm assemblies).
I'm very pleased with the ride and handling is still on par for a C3. It feels a bit tighter, but I doubt it really is. What really pleases me is the way the tires now fill the wheel wells. I use 18" rims, but the rubber is calculated to be about the same as stock rubber in diameter.
Last edited by RobbSalzmann; Oct 26, 2011 at 12:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
I'll probably get kicked around for this....
I lowered my car about 2 inches by cutting a coil out of the front springs (using a die cutter, not a torch). Then I put a stiffer composite spring in the back and longer spring bolts ( the ones that tie the spring to the trailing arm assemblies).
I'm very pleased with the ride and handling is still on par for a C3. It feels a bit tighter, but I doubt it really is. What really pleases me is the way the tires now fill the wheel wells. I use 18" rims, but the rubber is calculated to be about the same as stock rubber in diameter.
I lowered my car about 2 inches by cutting a coil out of the front springs (using a die cutter, not a torch). Then I put a stiffer composite spring in the back and longer spring bolts ( the ones that tie the spring to the trailing arm assemblies).
I'm very pleased with the ride and handling is still on par for a C3. It feels a bit tighter, but I doubt it really is. What really pleases me is the way the tires now fill the wheel wells. I use 18" rims, but the rubber is calculated to be about the same as stock rubber in diameter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I have 550# springs up front and 360# composite in rear with 8" bolts. Lowered mine approximately 1". You could go with 10" bolts, but you have to be very careful about tire clearance and possibly dragging suspension if you have a flat. Do an advanced search here on forum about those issues and potential dangers. If I were cutting front springs I would do a little at a time (1/4 coil) until I get the desired height. I run 255x60x15 tires on rally wheels with no rubbing. i don't think I would lower any farther; I have dragged my oil pan drain plug once while pulling out of drive that was sloped on both sides. No problems with speed bumps. I wouldn't fool with the traction bars if it were me for your power range; if you are just going for the look, clean your rear end up and remove spare tire carrier if spare is no concern. For performance, just make sure all your bushings, bearings, tie rods, ball joints, etc. are in good condition or replace. Also check steering box and coupler for play as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
For the rear I too installed longer bolts, I think 10 inches long.I think I got them from VB&P. I run with a 7 leaf steel spring but no issues. On the front I'm rebuilding the suspension now and will be installing new 550 lb springs which are already about an inch or so shorter than stock. I have 17" wheels all the way around.
Last edited by Frankenvette; Oct 26, 2011 at 01:36 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
i need DIY instructions on how to remove the front spring and steps on how to remove rear bolt and install longer bolt. How much should i lock or thread up d bolt.
Should i buy new spring for the front or just cut the oem spring? how long of a rear bolt do i need? i have an eight bolt .
Should i buy new spring for the front or just cut the oem spring? how long of a rear bolt do i need? i have an eight bolt .
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
i need DIY instructions on how to remove the front spring and steps on how to remove rear bolt and install longer bolt. How much should i lock or thread up d bolt.
Should i buy new spring for the front or just cut the oem spring? how long of a rear bolt do i need? i have an eight bolt .
Should i buy new spring for the front or just cut the oem spring? how long of a rear bolt do i need? i have an eight bolt .
In either case, get the car well off the ground, but securely, on jack stands. The rear spring needs to be compressed a little, by using a floor jack and a block of wood under the end of the spring. After getting a little slack between the bolt and the cushions, the bolt can be removed, and a longer one put in it's place.
In the front, a spring compressor is highly recommended. One thing to note on the front coils, the ends "locate" in notches in the frame, on top, and the lower arm, on the bottom. When cutting front coils, you need to remove an equal amount of the coil from each end, so the spring will still locate properly.
In other words, if you want to cut 1/2 coil, you take 1/4 coil off each end of the spring.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
One other thing to consider, your car is an '82. I'll assume that you might not be the original owner, therefore, do you know if the current springs are indeed OE? Are there any of the GM tags still on them?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
IMHO, for a street car, just make sure the stock suspension parts are all good first. Then put decent sized sway bars on it, (maybe 1" front and 5/8" rear, or 1 1/8" and 3/4", respectively) and good shocks. Put some modern tires on her. Get a good 4 wheel alignment from a real mechanic, and you, your car and your wallet will be better off. IMHO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
A 550 lb front spring will make your baby ride like a cement truck. For the track, that's fine. (They have also been known to crack the spring towers on occasion). You might not be happy with them on the street. You would need to balance that with a 360 lb rear spring. That combination was origionally known as the "Daytona" spring package, designed to keep the suspension from bottoming out on the high banked corners of the race track.
IMHO, for a street car, just make sure the stock suspension parts are all good first. Then put decent sized sway bars on it, (maybe 1" front and 5/8" rear, or 1 1/8" and 3/4", respectively) and good shocks. Put some modern tires on her. Get a good 4 wheel alignment from a real mechanic, and you, your car and your wallet will be better off. IMHO.
IMHO, for a street car, just make sure the stock suspension parts are all good first. Then put decent sized sway bars on it, (maybe 1" front and 5/8" rear, or 1 1/8" and 3/4", respectively) and good shocks. Put some modern tires on her. Get a good 4 wheel alignment from a real mechanic, and you, your car and your wallet will be better off. IMHO.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
BTW, the last time I did a spring change on a C-3, I installed VPB 360 lb/in springs in the front, and their 330 lb/in glass spring in the rear. I cut approximately 1/2 coil off the front springs to get the ride height I wanted.
Last edited by leadfoot4; Oct 27, 2011 at 05:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I too thought it would ride to rough and have yet to actual drive with my 550 lb springs. I purchased from Van Steel and had a very long conversation with him about the harshness of these springs. I was also purchasing a whole new front suspension. I was thinking of going with the 460 touring springs. He advised me that there would not be that much of a difference in ride quality. I've also read from others that the 550 lb springs were not as harsh as one may think. This is somewhat subjective but then again vettes were not know for there smooth ride anyway. Just my humble opinion.