Cutting coils=rocket science?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 22
From: Lyons Colorado
Well here's the right side after the cut:
[IMG]
[/IMG]
It dropped a dash under an inch, the other side that had the spring installed correctly dropped 7/8 of an inch. I haven't driven it around yet, I'll remeasure after that but I doubt it'll move, you can see that the springs are well seated from the bottom.
Here it is sitting at ride height:
[IMG]
[/IMG]
I'm going to go drive it now.
[IMG]
[/IMG]It dropped a dash under an inch, the other side that had the spring installed correctly dropped 7/8 of an inch. I haven't driven it around yet, I'll remeasure after that but I doubt it'll move, you can see that the springs are well seated from the bottom.
Here it is sitting at ride height:
[IMG]
[/IMG]I'm going to go drive it now.
Last edited by Illegal Vette; May 29, 2014 at 03:49 PM. Reason: Error
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 22
From: Lyons Colorado
Here's the measurement on the right side after the drive:
So it moved 3/8 of inch more. So the total drop so far on the passenger side is 1 5/16 after cutting one coil from the narrow spaced coil. On the driver side it dropped from 28 1/4 to 27" even. And I think I'm happy with it for now, when the correct size tire is put on the front it'll be .4 inch higher and .2 of that will be between the fender and tire.
So it moved 3/8 of inch more. So the total drop so far on the passenger side is 1 5/16 after cutting one coil from the narrow spaced coil. On the driver side it dropped from 28 1/4 to 27" even. And I think I'm happy with it for now, when the correct size tire is put on the front it'll be .4 inch higher and .2 of that will be between the fender and tire.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
It's NOT fair!
It looks like you did it all correctly the FIRST TIME
Just picking...it looks good!
(Is it my meds/imagination.......or does the rear tire clearance seem larger?)
It looks like you did it all correctly the FIRST TIME
Just picking...it looks good!
(Is it my meds/imagination.......or does the rear tire clearance seem larger?)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 406
Likes: 22
From: Lyons Colorado
Nope, does sit higher or did until I filled up the gas tank. Then it went down and the front came up. I think that I'll leave it right where it is, I think it sits good enough and I know I won't have any clearance or alignment problems. I couldn't have done it without your help, thanks for showing me step by step what to do! I think that I'll leave it right where it is, I think it sits about right and I know I won't have any clearance or alignment problems.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Nope, does sit higher or did until I filled up the gas tank. Then it went down and the front came up. I think that I'll leave it right where it is, I think it sits good enough and I know I won't have any clearance or alignment problems. I couldn't have done it without your help, thanks for showing me step by step what to do! I think that I'll leave it right where it is, I think it sits about right and I know I won't have any clearance or alignment problems.
By the way....I took your hint and bought some 8" long spring bolts with 3" of threaded length for plenty of adjustment...thanks for egging me on...I measured the rear fender height at 30 1/2"
.....(with these meds, I leave the obvious undone!).....and also jump all over the place with my replies (in case you didn't notice... 
.....LOL)Say goodbye to the sky-high rear end....it will be lowered sometime tomorrow!
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 9
Here's the measurement on the right side after the drive:
So it moved 3/8 of inch more. So the total drop so far on the passenger side is 1 5/16 after cutting one coil from the narrow spaced coil. On the driver side it dropped from 28 1/4 to 27" even. And I think I'm happy with it for now, when the correct size tire is put on the front it'll be .4 inch higher and .2 of that will be between the fender and tire.
So it moved 3/8 of inch more. So the total drop so far on the passenger side is 1 5/16 after cutting one coil from the narrow spaced coil. On the driver side it dropped from 28 1/4 to 27" even. And I think I'm happy with it for now, when the correct size tire is put on the front it'll be .4 inch higher and .2 of that will be between the fender and tire.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I know this is getting to be a older post but I had posted before about the 500 springs and just as a comparison I wanted to talk about where it sits. So to car is mostly together but has no interior, bumper covers and no door glass. At the front fender it is sitting at 27 1/2 in. high. I also do not have a a/c compressor and do have aluminum heads. But with how stiff the springs are I think with the additional weight once the car is complete it may only sit down to around 27 in.
Those 500 lb. springs need a lot of weight to compress them a little!
I guess the 30%+ increase in spring "weight" keeps the car under control better in curves....but I would think that the "ride" would become "rougher".....compared to stock 330-380 lb. springs (My project car has the original 330lb.springs and rides very smoothly, but has body roll that even my big Escalade doesn't have when cornering)
Last edited by doorgunner; Jun 16, 2014 at 03:39 AM.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 9
The 550 springs and the composite rear spring were something that I changed out just before I took the car apart. I have to say that the ride was much better than it was before with the stock springs. Yes stiffer but not harsh. I had a 2012 Nissan altima coupe that had a ride that was more harsh than the vette. I do think that the composite spring had a lot to do with improving the ride. Also there is no body roll in my car. When I went from stock sway bars to larger ones that hurt the ride quality more than the stiff springs.
Something else, I think that with the stiffer springs the ride height is not really effected much when you do things like change from iron to aluminum heads or empty fuel tank verses full tank.
Not trying to say anything is wrong with stock springs just some comparisons from what I have seen and experienced.
Something else, I think that with the stiffer springs the ride height is not really effected much when you do things like change from iron to aluminum heads or empty fuel tank verses full tank.
Not trying to say anything is wrong with stock springs just some comparisons from what I have seen and experienced.
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2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,597
Likes: 7,046
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
The 550 springs and the composite rear spring were something that I changed out just before I took the car apart. I have to say that the ride was much better than it was before with the stock springs. Yes stiffer but not harsh. I had a 2012 Nissan altima coupe that had a ride that was more harsh than the vette. I do think that the composite spring had a lot to do with improving the ride. Also there is no body roll in my car. When I went from stock sway bars to larger ones that hurt the ride quality more than the stiff springs.
Something else, I think that with the stiffer springs the ride height is not really effected much when you do things like change from iron to aluminum heads or empty fuel tank verses full tank.
Not trying to say anything is wrong with stock springs just some comparisons from what I have seen and experienced.
Something else, I think that with the stiffer springs the ride height is not really effected much when you do things like change from iron to aluminum heads or empty fuel tank verses full tank.
Not trying to say anything is wrong with stock springs just some comparisons from what I have seen and experienced.
Thanks for posting the experience with beefier coil springs and how they react to engine modifications.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I have been watching this thread for a while since I would like to lower my front slightly even before the switch to aluminum heads just recently. I have 550 springs as well and did not notice much of a change with the addition of aluminum heads to the ride height but will probably cut a coil in the winter (project) since I never liked the height of the front relative to the rear-360 composite since the 1986.
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 9
I thought of cutting my 550 springs just a little but to then get the stance between the front and back the rear would be so low that the half shafts would be at an angle verse being parallel to the ground. I would have had to raise the differential in the frame to go that low. Something else to consider is my car is a 79 so more weight than many of the other C3s.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
I've been watching too as I was not happy with the 550 springs. With an Iron head BB the front end lowered right to the top of the front tire.
Too low for me as the car would bottom out at time even on the freeway. I swapped to 600 point coil overs to raise the car and this thread is helping to see what the rest of you are setting too. Right now I'm at 28" with a 255/60/15 tire.
Keep the measurements coming.
Too low for me as the car would bottom out at time even on the freeway. I swapped to 600 point coil overs to raise the car and this thread is helping to see what the rest of you are setting too. Right now I'm at 28" with a 255/60/15 tire.
Keep the measurements coming.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
pretty close to how mine sits now. the thing thats weird is in driving it, the front was nose high after aluminum heads etc and lowered it feels like I've got 2 flat tires in front.but man it looks so much better
these cars just look better lowered, i guess a lot of people don't think of lowering a corvette as being necessary , but its almost essential
these cars just look better lowered, i guess a lot of people don't think of lowering a corvette as being necessary , but its almost essential
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Not to jump in here too late, but I've got a related question. My 1970 AC SB sits at 28" at all corners except the driver's front - that sits at 27" roughly. The frame is straight, no rust. I figure it's a case of one big guy driving solo for a lot of years.
I purchased stock AC SB springs (which are basically BB springs from) Corvette Central.
What are the chances the new springs might be too high right out of the box?
I purchased stock AC SB springs (which are basically BB springs from) Corvette Central.
What are the chances the new springs might be too high right out of the box?
