front lowering
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 99
Likes: 22
From: Southwick MA
front lowering
Is there any way to lower the front end without cutting the springs or spending big cash on coil overs? I've seen plenty of posts talking about cutting or spending big money, but can't afford that right now and don't want to cut the springs. I've also heard that the F41 springs for a big block are 1 inch shorter sprung length, but that the actual amount on the car with weight is not really a noticeable difference. I have a small block 75 coupe. The current ride on the front is about 1.5 inches too high IMO. The back I know I can add longer bolts and have purchased them. Is there any thing I'm missing?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 99
Likes: 22
From: Southwick MA
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,357
Likes: 1,592
From: Western NY
It will impact the spring rate somewhat, but considering that you're talking about a 44 year old car, that you most likely don't know the "pedigree" of the springs on, I wouldn't worry all that much about any change in rate. One thing to remember, is that in order to keep the springs in "proper register", in both the frame and lower a-arm pockets, you need to cut an equal amount from each end of the spring.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
I just went through this. I swapped from tired stock springs to 550 lb. F41-style springs. My front end raised a half inch. Had I cut one coil, they'd have been too short. Perhaps half a coil would have been perfect.
I'll go with coil-overs next time, whatever the cost. I do like the stiffer spring, so there's no urgency.
I'll go with coil-overs next time, whatever the cost. I do like the stiffer spring, so there's no urgency.
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
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
first check frame height to the ground. there is frame height and body height. i currently have a 75 that i got cheap cuz of a nose hit. i straightened frame horns and vac tank and put it back together. i have 29 inches on the right and 30 on the left. i have some tweaking to do with frame horns, but i am sure that lowering the vacuum tank (the rad support mounts to it and nose and hood mount to the support) will get me closer to where i need to be. 74 frame height specs. https://www.c3vr.com/member_pages/44...4427/specs.jpg make it bigger is easier to read. wheelwell arch is 27-1/2 to 28 as delivered. looks like i am around 8 inches frame to ground.
Last edited by derekderek; Jun 24, 2019 at 06:43 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
On my '75 I bought the 550lbs. springs and cut half a coil. Lowered the car 2". It rides more stiff now. The only way its not going to change the ride feel is by buying coil overs with a soft spring.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,209
Likes: 9,347
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
You could get some VBP springs like these, if you can find them used and be able to set your frame height and spring rate. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ale-trade.html
I have a set like this front and rear with a spreader bar up front and it rides great, stays flat in a high speed turn and couldnt be happier. Just spent the day on a closed track for the first time and it was amazing.
I have a set like this front and rear with a spreader bar up front and it rides great, stays flat in a high speed turn and couldnt be happier. Just spent the day on a closed track for the first time and it was amazing.
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Jun 25, 2019 at 07:45 PM.
