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Hi guys!
it's question time again!
Found out I have a 7 leaf spring, wich I believe should be gymkhana, right? ( rustkhana, I know. Car has lived in canada..poor thing. They haven't invented waxoil over there apperantly ( no offence))
Anyway. It looks like it has like a small spacer kinda thing on top of the springs. Could that be removed to lower the car a tad? I'm all for standard ride height, but with the weight I've removed of the car it sits a tad too high for me.
I could google for a few days, or I could try asking directly here : The front springs a have had a green tag, 346939 was the number. Wich seems to be standard SBC springs.
Also gt the smallest of the front sway bars, measuring around 22mm. What coil spring rate should I use? I'd like the front to sit a tad lower, it's only a weekend car ( once its restored) so ride stiffness isn't too important for me, I'd like it to be a bit sporty.
I also removed quite a bit of weight from the front, the AC and power steering are removed. Wich makes the front sit a bit higher too. Could cut springs, but something readymade is always fun
I plan to upgrade to the KYB G GAS shocks too, unless someone absolutely HATES them?
Slowly rebuilding the car. Gas tank changed a bit. recieved some shiny shorty headers as well
I'll try to help where I can: Yes, the FE7 Gymkhana leaf spring was a 7 leaf unit. This is the original spring on my 17K mile 1976 equipped with FE7 Suspension.
As for lowering the ride height in the rear, you can use longer bolts between the springs and control arms. There are bolts specially designed for just this purpose.
You can remove the spacer on top of the spring stack. It's only purpose was to make the 7 leaf spring stack thickness equal the standard 9 leaf spring thickness thus more or less equalizing the ride heights. You won't get much lowering of the ride height though and you'll probably have to change to shorter bolt lengths, at least 2 of the 4.
Hi guys!
The front springs a have had a green tag, 346939 was the number. Which seems to be standard SBC springs.
Also gt the smallest of the front sway bars, measuring around 22mm.
What coil spring rate should I use?
You don't state what year car you have but the GM# 346939 was a base coil spring used from 1975 - 79 with a broadcast code of AH. It fact, it was the lightest spring weight used for the late model C3s.
All of which means your Corvette had few options meaning no A/C, base tires and including a non-FE7 Gymkhana equipped Corvette. Either the front coil springs were changed out or the rear spring.
Thanks guys!
It's a 1979. Quite a project indeed! The birdcage was worse than I thought when I inspected the car. That's all fixed now though. A few burns later and lots of welding...
The sad part is, I have no clue what came with this car originally. It has AC and power steering, wich I suppose is factory. Maybe the AC sticker tells you something?
aven't found the buildsheet on the tank, not between speedo and tach, and not under the carpet :-( I might shell out the 50$ for the dealer invoice @ GMheritage
The springs indeed had the AH green tag too, wich was still readable. With the extra weight removed from the front it looks like I'll havve to puzzle a bit to get the right rideheight and spring strenght. I don't want the car to sit silly low though, I'd like something like this :
Wich is probably near the standard ride height, but mine is about 1-2 inch higher atm.
I'll try to help where I can: Yes, the FE7 Gymkhana leaf spring was a 7 leaf unit. This is the original spring on my 17K mile 1976 equipped with FE7 Suspension.
As for lowering the ride height in the rear, you can use longer bolts between the springs and control arms. There are bolts specially designed for just this purpose.
Looks like you have quite a project there!
Regards,
Dave
Do you have 8 plates on the leaf, small top plate ? Like this ?
Sorry to bump this up again, is it possible to identify it as a Gymkhana spring? Just want to rule out the possibility of it being a 9 leaf spring with 2 springs removed
It's on the bench now, didn't see any markings orso.
is there a place for build threads on this forum?
...I have no clue what came with this car originally...
Go here: http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/?page=ordform and request a copy of the original dealer invoice for your 79. The invoice will show all the options installed on the car and the name of the original dealer.
Go here: http://www.gmmediaarchive.com/?page=ordform and request a copy of the original dealer invoice for your 79. The invoice will show all the options installed on the car and the name of the original dealer.
Here's a sample of the invoice for my 80:
It's really one of those 'nice' things to have when you go to a show Then put it in the car in a frame ( atleast thats what I plan to do )
I've contacted them about a week ago, but being Belgian it'll take a while to arrive
Been thinking about it today, if it was a 9 leaf with 2 leafs ( leaves?) removed, it would probably be wayyyyyyyy too soft too?
Some progress of the car for those intrested : Orange engine paint ( once it has the other bits on there it'll look better Gasket faces are all properly masked off the frame is de-rusted and painted.
7 leaf gymkhana spring?
