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We have a 1973 that sits really high now. we are looking to lower it using a Fiberglass Composite Leaf Spring 360 in the rear and 550 coils in the front. How much will we gain with this combo. as you can see we are a little high all the way around. post a picture if you have one
I am assuming that you have a big block in it???? If not...I usually do not install 550# front coils for street driver UNLESS it is a big block.
If you take height measurements and contact Gary at Vette Brakes and Products....he can advise you on what you can expect..especially if you have any specific requirements that you are wanting to achieve.
Also depending on how much you are wanting to lower it...it can effect your alignment...which may require it to be re-aligned. I believe that you can go as far a one inch lower without having to re-align....but...double check with Gary.
Hope this is viewable for you? #550 vb&p front springs, vb&p #370 composite with stock bolts. Engine is 383 with aluminum heads and intake, lost the AC too. Rear a bit high to my taste, will go longer there.
I have 550's up front and a VB&P 360 rear as well. Will have to try to upload a pic later as for some reason Photobucket and IOS 8 are not playing nice together right now.
i have 550 springs cut 3/4 of a coil and 360 rear spring. QA1 shocks very pleased with the ride, handling is light years better.however i had a broken front spring, i am sure that made a difference.
Mine has a VBP 380 rear spring with QA-1 adjustable rear shocks, stock front springs. Sits exactly as I prefer. You have an inch or more adjustability up or down with your spring bolts.
That looks good, that's what he needed to see. Thanks. I see you diped your car how do like it?
That's right, I did. I like it a lot and currently I'm experimenting with a clear dip (for frosted effect) and kandy pearls (for awesome effect ).
It's amazing how tough this stuff is; I also did my valve covers and airfilter, which are still holding strong after a full year under the hood. Cleaning is easy with a dipcloth.
The only part where there is some wear are my mirrors because she always goes under a cover.
Dipping isn't really hard to do, but I would advise anyone who also wants to do this to:
- Use a HLVP spraystation (I also tried both regular paintgun+compressor and spraycans),
- Do NOT use turpentine to thin the dip but lacquer thinner, the Xylene stuff or simply the premixed dip,
- Work in a spray booth or a tent of some kind. Stuff (bugs etc) will find their way into your freshly dippef object.
- CLEAN your car thouroughly before you spray.
On topic; I'm cutting my coils as well, thanks to the other posters for the example
I have 550 front springs and a 360 mono spring rear with Bilstein HD's in front and Bilstein Sports in the rear. The car rides BETTER than the OEM gymkhana suspension-by far. I have also been in 78 base suspension cars with the very soft rear 9 leaf steel spring and the base front springs and the car bounces all over the road. My combo is the recommended replacement front and rear springs from most vendors for cars that originally had the sport suspension and I noticed no difference in the front with 550 springs versus the GM springs in terms of ride harshness. The recommended replacement front springs for base suspension cars is 460lb springs. 550 springs are NOT for BB cars only and are appropriate for gymkhana cars and the BB cars. The problem with the C3 suspension in general is too soft steel spring rates. My car rides, steers, and handles better than it ever did with the GM suspension. Non corvette owners who have ridden in my 78 cannot believe how good the ride is with the above combo. The height used to be perfect front and rear but with the AFR aluminum heads on the car now, I need to cut a coil off the front springs this winter…
The reason that the 550 springs are really the only replacement recommendation from vendors with BB cars is that not only is the BB engine much heavier than the SB cars but the engine protrudes beyond the front wheel center line which creates a nose heavy bias for these cars-weight distribution front 56% r 44% versus the SB C3's roughly 50:50 weight distribution. My 78's distribution is actually 48%F:52% which is one of the reasons folks often complain that the SB cars oversteer near the limit-better for handling but you need to know what you are doing just like in a rear engined Porsche or other mid engine cars.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Oct 31, 2014 at 04:18 PM.
I have 550 front springs and a 360 mono spring rear with Bilstein HD's in front and Bilstein Sports in the rear. The car rides BETTER than the OEM gymkhana suspension-by far. I have also been in 78 base suspension cars with the very soft rear 9 leaf steel spring and the base front springs and the car bounces all over the road. My combo is the recommended replacement front and rear springs from most vendors for cars that originally had the sport suspension and I noticed no difference in the front with 550 springs versus the GM springs in terms of ride harshness. The recommended replacement front springs for base suspension cars is 460lb springs. 550 springs are NOT for BB cars only and are appropriate for gymkhana cars and the BB cars. The problem with the C3 suspension in general is too soft steel spring rates. My car rides, steers, and handles better than it ever did with the GM suspension. Non corvette owners who have ridden in my 78 cannot believe how good the ride is with the above combo. The height used to be perfect front and rear but with the AFR aluminum heads on the car now, I need to cut a coil off the front springs this winter…
The reason that the 550 springs are really the only replacement recommendation from vendors with BB cars is that not only is the BB engine much heavier than the SB cars but the engine protrudes beyond the front wheel center line which creates a nose heavy bias for these cars-weight distribution front 56% r 44% versus the SB C3's roughly 50:50 weight distribution. My 78's distribution is actually 48%F:52% which is one of the reasons folks often complain that the SB cars oversteer near the limit-better for handling but you need to know what you are doing just like in a rear engined Porsche or other mid engine cars.
Thanks for all the help Iooks like this is the correct combo
I have 550 front springs and a 360 mono spring rear with Bilstein HD's in front and Bilstein Sports in the rear. The car rides BETTER than the OEM gymkhana suspension-by far. I have also been in 78 base suspension cars with the very soft rear 9 leaf steel spring and the base front springs and the car bounces all over the road. My combo is the recommended replacement front and rear springs from most vendors for cars that originally had the sport suspension and I noticed no difference in the front with 550 springs versus the GM springs in terms of ride harshness. The recommended replacement front springs for base suspension cars is 460lb springs. 550 springs are NOT for BB cars only and are appropriate for gymkhana cars and the BB cars. The problem with the C3 suspension in general is too soft steel spring rates. My car rides, steers, and handles better than it ever did with the GM suspension. Non corvette owners who have ridden in my 78 cannot believe how good the ride is with the above combo. The height used to be perfect front and rear but with the AFR aluminum heads on the car now, I need to cut a coil off the front springs this winter…
The reason that the 550 springs are really the only replacement recommendation from vendors with BB cars is that not only is the BB engine much heavier than the SB cars but the engine protrudes beyond the front wheel center line which creates a nose heavy bias for these cars-weight distribution front 56% r 44% versus the SB C3's roughly 50:50 weight distribution. My 78's distribution is actually 48%F:52% which is one of the reasons folks often complain that the SB cars oversteer near the limit-better for handling but you need to know what you are doing just like in a rear engined Porsche or other mid engine cars.
depending how low you want yours 3/4 of a coil may be enough.
depending how low you want yours 3/4 of a coil may be enough.
I need about 1.25-1.5 inches lower in the front now with the AFR heads. Picture above was before I rebuilt the L-82 with the OEM 882 heads. Do you still think 3/4 of a coil will achieve that amount?
Thanks. Will probably have to go conservative at 3/4 of a coil. Any problem getting the coil back in the control arm pocket correctly after a 3/4 inch cut? I figured 1 full coil would be a lot cleaner and easier but may end up being too much.
i didn't have an issue with where it was cut. i was going to cut a full coil and decided to take the extra time and sneak up on it and was glad i did. i think if i had cut more i would have had issues with speed bumps etc.
if you have long tube headers in your future you may want 1/2 coil. i have the side exit system and they have a little more clearance than regular long tubes, not much but a little. cut the top.
not only is the BB engine much heavier than the SB cars but the engine protrudes beyond the front wheel center line which creates a nose heavy bias for these cars-weight distribution front 56% r 44% versus the SB C3's roughly 50:50 weight distribution.
This isn't my observation at all. Yes, the the big block is heavier, but all but the pulleys sit behind the front axle line. It might be true that a BBC makes say a Camaro front heavy, but not a C3. My measurements put it more like 51:49 for the iron-headed cars.
ride height with a 360 rear spring
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