Front end sits too low...bottoms out
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Front end sits too low...bottoms out
Got this 71 vert (350 small block) from a PO who rebuilt the entire car for road gymkhana racing with 550 lb front springs and a 7 leaf rear. Is pretty much stripped out, no heat, manual trans, no AC etc.
Got 3/4 in bar in front none rear.
I need to raise the front to clear speed bumps and protect the exhaust and oil pan which sometimes scrape. The pan is a deep road race 7 qt thing and exhaust is hooker long tube headers.
Any advice on which ones might work with the rear? The ride is also really bad, just want a nice handling driver.
Got 3/4 in bar in front none rear.
I need to raise the front to clear speed bumps and protect the exhaust and oil pan which sometimes scrape. The pan is a deep road race 7 qt thing and exhaust is hooker long tube headers.
Any advice on which ones might work with the rear? The ride is also really bad, just want a nice handling driver.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Got this 71 vert (350 small block) from a PO who rebuilt the entire car for road gymkhana racing with 550 lb front springs and a 7 leaf rear. Is pretty much stripped out, no heat, manual trans, no AC etc.
Got 3/4 in bar in front none rear.
I need to raise the front to clear speed bumps and protect the exhaust and oil pan which sometimes scrape. The pan is a deep road race 7 qt thing and exhaust is hooker long tube headers.
Any advice on which ones might work with the rear? The ride is also really bad, just want a nice handling driver.
Got 3/4 in bar in front none rear.
I need to raise the front to clear speed bumps and protect the exhaust and oil pan which sometimes scrape. The pan is a deep road race 7 qt thing and exhaust is hooker long tube headers.
Any advice on which ones might work with the rear? The ride is also really bad, just want a nice handling driver.
GM used to sell air conditioning spacers that went under the front springs, they may still be available. that and shorter bolts in the back might get the job done or just change front & rear springs
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
Also looking for "touring" springs or equivalent to gain like 1-1.5 inch. Ride is really harsh now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
If the springs are loose in the pocket when on the lift it sounds like they have been cut making your situation even worse. Spacers will improve the ride height but it will still be a hard ride. I found the 430 - 460lb front springs were a good compromise for the bumpy roads here. The original std front springs were under 300lb but had more coils so I guess a more progressive action than the aftermarket ones. The shorter aftermarket ones are a lot easier to remove and refit too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,942
Likes: 850
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i have 550 front springs cut 3/4 of a coil a milodon seven quart pan and side mount headers and have no issue with speed bumps etc, however i go over them a bit slow. a spacer may be a good option.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
If the springs are loose in the pocket when on the lift it sounds like they have been cut making your situation even worse. Spacers will improve the ride height but it will still be a hard ride. I found the 430 - 460lb front springs were a good compromise for the bumpy roads here. The original std front springs were under 300lb but had more coils so I guess a more progressive action than the aftermarket ones. The shorter aftermarket ones are a lot easier to remove and refit too.
How much did your new ones affect the ride height? Anybody have part numbers for these avail locally?
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Thanks, maybe they are cut!!! The roads here are flat smooth but I still don't want a car that rides this way and risks severe damage. My plan will be to use the "touring" springs like 460 lb.
How much did your new ones affect the ride height? Anybody have part numbers for these avail locally?
How much did your new ones affect the ride height? Anybody have part numbers for these avail locally?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 992
Likes: 56
From: Baldwinsville, NY
New Springs
http://www.summitracing.com/search/y...ront%20springs
At $50 new springs are easy to install. Forget shins, if your car is low and bottoms out just replace with new. They have a shorter free height which makes for easy installation.
At $50 new springs are easy to install. Forget shins, if your car is low and bottoms out just replace with new. They have a shorter free height which makes for easy installation.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
http://www.summitracing.com/search/y...ront%20springs
At $50 new springs are easy to install. Forget shins, if your car is low and bottoms out just replace with new. They have a shorter free height which makes for easy installation.
At $50 new springs are easy to install. Forget shins, if your car is low and bottoms out just replace with new. They have a shorter free height which makes for easy installation.
You can always cut one coil off if the new springs are too high.....but you MUST drive the car for several days before cutting a coil so the new springs can settle into position and adjust to the weight of the car!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,105
Likes: 96
From: Sunrise FL
http://www.summitracing.com/search/y...ront%20springs
At $50 new springs are easy to install. Forget shins, if your car is low and bottoms out just replace with new. They have a shorter free height which makes for easy installation.
At $50 new springs are easy to install. Forget shins, if your car is low and bottoms out just replace with new. They have a shorter free height which makes for easy installation.
Moog 5758 HD 474 lb w/o ac
Moog 5762 HD 474 lb w/ac
Sounds like correct plan, thanks to all