Lowering 79
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
If you have a couple of Extra bucks, Vette Brake & Products has the set of springs you need to use. They are about 3/4 " shorter than the Original springs, but made from larger diameter stock. powder coated. You don't even have to use spring compressors to re-install them. I used a set of 460 # rated ones. The Vette looks mean & lean, & just about 1" lower. By the way, I have my old 1982 springs, with around 60K miles on them, that I would give someone for the price of packing & freight. Have a great one, Gene
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I put 550# springs on mine which lowered about 1". If you want to use what you have, you may just keep cutting a 1/4 coil until you get the desired drop. Spring compressors are a PITA, it sure was nice just dropping those new springs in without using compressor. Be sure to properly align the spring in the upper spring pocket.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Don't mean to hijack the thread but a couple of related questions please. Do any of you know if a 1" drop would make the car too low (potential scrape/drag) if it has long tube headers? And do you see any problem with the 1" drop when you are running 255/60/15 tires? Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Don't mean to hijack the thread but a couple of related questions please. Do any of you know if a 1" drop would make the car too low (potential scrape/drag) if it has long tube headers? And do you see any problem with the 1" drop when you are running 255/60/15 tires? Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I have 550 springs 1 inch shorter than stock and have no issues with my front spoiler which has the flexible rubber extension on it from the 79 l-82's with heavy duty cooling which is much lower than the oem chin spoiler! No experience with Long tube headers since I use McJacks shorty headers which dimensionally mimic the stock cast iron manifolds exactly because I did not want to deal with header road clearance issues.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Tanunda South Australia
thanks guys, my springs are stock ,I did look at the Vette Brake & products Gene . But I was unsure if their springs would give me to firm a ride , any feed back on their spring would be helpful
cheers
mark
cheers
mark
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Detroit
@ Doctorgene
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...by=product_sku
are these the springs you were talking about ? they had the 550's below them but it was not specified they were 3/4 " shorter?
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...by=product_sku
are these the springs you were talking about ? they had the 550's below them but it was not specified they were 3/4 " shorter?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i think he was asking how much to cut the factory spring to drop it one inch. he may want to do that before investing in new springs, to check driveway clearance etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
if you do the chop n drop (cutting coils) - when you put it back on the ground, be sure and roll the car forward and back 5' (at least) to get the spring to settle. Most cars, when you drop them, hold the front up a bit because the tires move out as it goes down. Thus, if you don't roll it back and forth to get the suspension settled, you run a good risk of cutting too much when it finally does settle.
I cut 1 1/2 coils from mine to get it to set right - but I also took the a/c and power steering off; and put an aluminum radiator and intake on the motor. I run 255/40 17s
I cut 1 1/2 coils from mine to get it to set right - but I also took the a/c and power steering off; and put an aluminum radiator and intake on the motor. I run 255/40 17s
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir Mr. Kevin69, Those are the ones I bought # 31231 460# Grand Touring. Give those guys a ring on the shortness of the new springs. 1 (727) 345-5292 I wouldn't want it any closer to the ground, but I have the Greenwood package on mine. Mr. Mrichi, Very little difference in the firmness in my opinion, but I never go on to many holy roads. LOL I did install a new Composite Monospring ( 330 Lbs ) on the rear at the same time, with new H. D. Blistiens both front & rear. About to install a set of Shark Bite Aluminum Control Arms. Have a great one. Gene
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: Mt Airy, NC
I put 550# springs on mine which lowered about 1". If you want to use what you have, you may just keep cutting a 1/4 coil until you get the desired drop. Spring compressors are a PITA, it sure was nice just dropping those new springs in without using compressor. Be sure to properly align the spring in the upper spring pocket.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 216
Likes: 16
From: Tanunda South Australia
Hi Guys thanks for your help I think rather than chop my standard springs I will order a set of springs from VBP either 460 or the 550 .
My 79 is toatlly original with only 10,000 miles. I also have all the documentation to verify its history. So I can always put the original springs back in , if for some reason I wanted to return it to stock.
I bought my 79 from a guy in Arizona then had it shipped to my home in Australia , it took about 4 months from the inital purchase before it arrived in Australia .
To register a LHD car here the vehicle has to undergo an extensive inspection by the govt authorities. The only repair I need to do, was fix the vacuum system which operates the heater ,vent system.
The car is now registered and I love it, its a time capsual which I intend to preserve
many thanks
Mark
mrichi
My 79 is toatlly original with only 10,000 miles. I also have all the documentation to verify its history. So I can always put the original springs back in , if for some reason I wanted to return it to stock.
I bought my 79 from a guy in Arizona then had it shipped to my home in Australia , it took about 4 months from the inital purchase before it arrived in Australia .
To register a LHD car here the vehicle has to undergo an extensive inspection by the govt authorities. The only repair I need to do, was fix the vacuum system which operates the heater ,vent system.
The car is now registered and I love it, its a time capsual which I intend to preserve
many thanks
Mark
mrichi
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
let this remind us just how stupid government can be ,and how it impacts our hobby. a heater control, oh brother, i mean Big Brother. enjoy your new car!