ride height question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
ride height question
I have a vbp 360 composite spring, vansteel 420 composite spring and a vbp 500 composite spring, the 2 vbp have a similar curve, the vansteel is less curved, slightly straighter
the 360 gives a nice low looking ride height,
the 420 gives a nice ride aswell, but when on the car, cos its straighter, the ends actually turn up slightly which looks very odd, looks like its ready to snap
the 500, keeps its curve, like the 360, but it causes the car to sit around inch or so higher, i would like to keep the 500 on the car for track use, but would like a lower ride heoght, already have the long bolts, could i cut the polys to reduce height or ???
i have a 78 vette
thanks for any help
the 360 gives a nice low looking ride height,
the 420 gives a nice ride aswell, but when on the car, cos its straighter, the ends actually turn up slightly which looks very odd, looks like its ready to snap
the 500, keeps its curve, like the 360, but it causes the car to sit around inch or so higher, i would like to keep the 500 on the car for track use, but would like a lower ride heoght, already have the long bolts, could i cut the polys to reduce height or ???
i have a 78 vette
thanks for any help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
I have a vbp 360 composite spring, vansteel 420 composite spring and a vbp 500 composite spring, the 2 vbp have a similar curve, the vansteel is less curved, slightly straighter
the 360 gives a nice low looking ride height,
the 420 gives a nice ride aswell, but when on the car, cos its straighter, the ends actually turn up slightly which looks very odd, looks like its ready to snap
the 500, keeps its curve, like the 360, but it causes the car to sit around inch or so higher, i would like to keep the 500 on the car for track use, but would like a lower ride heoght, already have the long bolts, could i cut the polys to reduce height or ???
i have a 78 vette
thanks for any help
the 360 gives a nice low looking ride height,
the 420 gives a nice ride aswell, but when on the car, cos its straighter, the ends actually turn up slightly which looks very odd, looks like its ready to snap
the 500, keeps its curve, like the 360, but it causes the car to sit around inch or so higher, i would like to keep the 500 on the car for track use, but would like a lower ride heoght, already have the long bolts, could i cut the polys to reduce height or ???
i have a 78 vette
thanks for any help
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Is the end of your current bolts near (or worse, below) the rim? If not, why not fit some longer bolts? Don't see any reason you couldn't cut down the poly spring bolt bushings a bit, if they're anything like mine then they're pretty thick, but I don't think you'll get anywhere near an inch from that.
Out of interest, 500lb is a pretty heavy rear spring, what front springs are you running?
Out of interest, 500lb is a pretty heavy rear spring, what front springs are you running?
Last edited by Metalhead140; Jan 17, 2017 at 07:20 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 28
From: los angeles ca
Thin poly spring bushings used to be available.
I used Guldstrand ones on my rear spring.
Do not know where to get them now.
Some of the current suspension suppliers might have them.
Poly bushings can be trimmed in a lathe.
It is a pain to do and some what of an approximation on size.
Sanding might also be an option.
I used Guldstrand ones on my rear spring.
Do not know where to get them now.
Some of the current suspension suppliers might have them.
Poly bushings can be trimmed in a lathe.
It is a pain to do and some what of an approximation on size.
Sanding might also be an option.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Chevrolet specs the rear suspension ride height by measuring the difference in height between the inner and outer camber strut rod bolts. IIRC, about 2" for the street, about 1 1/4" for racing.
Net net, you want the half shafts to be horizontal or nearly so.
Net net, you want the half shafts to be horizontal or nearly so.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
Is the end of your current bolts near (or worse, below) the rim? If not, why not fit some longer bolts? Don't see any reason you couldn't cut down the poly spring bolt bushings a bit, if they're anything like mine then they're pretty thick, but I don't think you'll get anywhere near an inch from that.
Out of interest, 500lb is a pretty heavy rear spring, what front springs are you running?
Out of interest, 500lb is a pretty heavy rear spring, what front springs are you running?
want to run a 500 spring for track use mainly, people on here seem to suggest thats the best to go for and going with 600lb/ft vansteel full coilovers in the front
Last edited by corvettedave383; Jan 18, 2017 at 03:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
Thin poly spring bushings used to be available.
I used Guldstrand ones on my rear spring.
Do not know where to get them now.
Some of the current suspension suppliers might have them.
Poly bushings can be trimmed in a lathe.
It is a pain to do and some what of an approximation on size.
Sanding might also be an option.
I used Guldstrand ones on my rear spring.
Do not know where to get them now.
Some of the current suspension suppliers might have them.
Poly bushings can be trimmed in a lathe.
It is a pain to do and some what of an approximation on size.
Sanding might also be an option.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
so needs to be lowered slightly
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
My vb&p 520 # use 6 inch bolts. My half shafts have a down angle to the wheels. I ground my fender flares with my 12x28 road racing slicks with the half shafts nearly level
As to the smart struts rods I have the lowest center position
As to the smart struts rods I have the lowest center position
Last edited by gkull; Jan 20, 2017 at 12:11 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
see what the gap is, do have a measurement of the gap between the top of wheel to outside edge of fender?
also how much of an arc does your 520 spring have?, my 500 got a really big arc, but the 420, is near enough flat, so what gives here, why???
Last edited by corvettedave383; Jan 20, 2017 at 01:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
A couple of things worth mentioning in mind here...
FYI, due to the C2/C3 IRS' inherent geometry, the further below level the half-shafts travel due to the point from which on the rear toe-steer curve your static ride height has the suspension operating, the more counter toe-in may be necessary to avoid rear dynamic alignment moving into toe-out during bump/squat. Also, please be aware that the higher is your rear spring rate (relative to all else being equal), the nearer to the oversteer end of the scale will be your car's balance characteristic. My $.02
TSW
TSW
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
FYI, due to the C2/C3 IRS' inherent geometry, the further below level the half-shafts travel due to the point from which on the rear toe-steer curve your static ride height has the suspension operating, the more counter toe-in may be necessary to avoid rear dynamic alignment moving into toe-out during bump/squat. Also, please be aware that the higher is your rear spring rate (relative to all else being equal), the nearer to the oversteer end of the scale will be your car's balance characteristic. My $.02
TSW
TSW
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
ok good info, have you got some pics of your rear wheel and arch height?
see what the gap is, do have a measurement of the gap between the top of wheel to outside edge of fender?
also how much of an arc does your 520 spring have?, my 500 got a really big arc, but the 420, is near enough flat, so what gives here, why???
see what the gap is, do have a measurement of the gap between the top of wheel to outside edge of fender?
also how much of an arc does your 520 spring have?, my 500 got a really big arc, but the 420, is near enough flat, so what gives here, why???
My 420# had more arch than the 520# So I used 7 inch bolts for the 420 and now 6 inch bolts for the 520
Old picture before my flares, the rear of the car is jacket up showing how big the slicks are. I had 6 rear slicks back then getting ready for a race weekend
Last edited by gkull; Jan 20, 2017 at 05:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 40
From: Glasgow, Scotland
ahh ok thanks interesting info
ive got 335/30/18 = 26 inch diameter, my springs are the opposite to yours, 500 has a big arc, but 420 is nearly flat, very odd
for my track work, i will use the same wheel, tyre as above
so theres no harm in using a longer bolt? ie 9 inch?
only issue might be the tire rubs the fender?
ive got 335/30/18 = 26 inch diameter, my springs are the opposite to yours, 500 has a big arc, but 420 is nearly flat, very odd
for my track work, i will use the same wheel, tyre as above
so theres no harm in using a longer bolt? ie 9 inch?
only issue might be the tire rubs the fender?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
9 inch long bolts would just mean that you might have 1-2 inches of thread hanging down below the nut.
My bolts have non threaded shafts. So you have to buy them at nearly the correct length. My 7 inch bolts did not have enough thread to crank up the rear of my car to keep the tires out of contact with the body.
my 26 inch tall tires 2.5 inches clearance. and my 28 inch tall slicks have about 1.5 clearance without tightening the bolts
On 4 corner scales my total weight was right on 3000 lbs. About 630 lbs on each front and 870 lbs each rear. I can crank up or down each corner to jack the weight around.
To compress a 520# spring an additional 1.5 inches is 780 lbs. When you hit the inside rumble strips going around a track you can see cars actual only on the two outer wheels. With the inner tires airborne. After scraping my tires on nearly every turn I cranked up the rear to be safe at nearly 2 inches.
For just street tires I should lower my front and rear to keep the correct body nose down rake. I just never took my car back to the shop to do the 4 corner adjustment on scales.
My bolts have non threaded shafts. So you have to buy them at nearly the correct length. My 7 inch bolts did not have enough thread to crank up the rear of my car to keep the tires out of contact with the body.
my 26 inch tall tires 2.5 inches clearance. and my 28 inch tall slicks have about 1.5 clearance without tightening the bolts
On 4 corner scales my total weight was right on 3000 lbs. About 630 lbs on each front and 870 lbs each rear. I can crank up or down each corner to jack the weight around.
To compress a 520# spring an additional 1.5 inches is 780 lbs. When you hit the inside rumble strips going around a track you can see cars actual only on the two outer wheels. With the inner tires airborne. After scraping my tires on nearly every turn I cranked up the rear to be safe at nearly 2 inches.
For just street tires I should lower my front and rear to keep the correct body nose down rake. I just never took my car back to the shop to do the 4 corner adjustment on scales.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
