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I put 275-60r15’s on the rear and 235/60’s on the front. My front end sits 1” higher than the rear with stock front springs and new rear 9 leaf spring. I have aluminum heads, intake, water pump, and radiator, so I’ve probably lost 100+ LBS off the front so that explains the ride height difference. I keep some ground clearance.. because side pipes and potholes .
I’d like to drop the front 1”-2” and keep a good ride. So do I cut the front springs, get new 550LB springs and cut those? Other spring options?
Thanks
PS: I would have taken better pictures outside but it’s snowing .
I went with semi coilovers from VanSteel in my 68 which were easy to install (just drilled out the bolt holes on the lower arms to fit the bigger bolts in the kit) and adjust for a perfect ride height. Just got the 450 spring version and the ride is great.
My 77 came with the gymkhana suspension. I cut a full coil off. also, aluminium heads and manifold, electric fans.
Sits nice at 27 and a half inches. Ride is good.
Cost.... just my labor.
One whole coil cut off the spring is about 1.5" of drop......I think on this one I would go 1.5 coils......
If your springs are in good shape.....just cut those.....you know where you are right now with them. If you go getting new ones then you have no idea where to begin unless you install and drive it, pull them, cut them and re-install.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with cutting the springs as long as you do it right......but 1.5 coils is the most I would cut.
don't forget you have a 2 inch difference in tire from front to back (does not help ground clearance either) as well.. no clue what year or proper size would be from oem
Corvette Central 460lb. spring. With aluminum heads and intake and shorty headers and radiator, no A/C. Same Corvette Central 460lb. spring with 1 1/2 coils removed. MOOG 5758 (474lb) coil springs with 1/2 coil removed. 255/50/17 tire circumference is 27", versus the 26.6" of the 15" BFG's (245/60/15) in the previous photos. 27 1/4" floor to wheel arch.
Last edited by sunflower 1972; Nov 24, 2021 at 11:29 AM.
Corvette Central 460lb. spring. With aluminum heads and intake and shorty headers and radiator, no A/C.
Same Corvette Central 460lb. spring with 1 1/2 coils removed.
MOOG 5758 (474lb) coil springs with 1/2 coil removed. 255/50/17 tire circumference is 27", versus the 26.6" of the 15" BFG's (245/60/15) in the previous photos. 27 1/4" floor to wheel arch.
exactly what i got.. moog 474 fronts full ac L82 and I'm 28-28 3/4 (depends on day) stock tires in front.. so that half coil aligns.. very nice spring new for less $100 USA made and powder coated.. MUCH easier to install as well.
I went with semi coilovers from VanSteel in my 68 which were easy to install (just drilled out the bolt holes on the lower arms to fit the bigger bolts in the kit) and adjust for a perfect ride height. Just got the 450 spring version and the ride is great.
I didn't even think of that, I'll take a closer look
Originally Posted by Jebbysan
One whole coil cut off the spring is about 1.5" of drop......I think on this one I would go 1.5 coils......
If your springs are in good shape.....just cut those.....you know where you are right now with them. If you go getting new ones then you have no idea where to begin unless you install and drive it, pull them, cut them and re-install.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with cutting the springs as long as you do it right......but 1.5 coils is the most I would cut.
Jebby
That might be worth a shot, I wasn't sure how far I could go without getting too stiff.
It's 77 with stock opening , the front are 26", so 1" shorter than 255's . The rear tires are 28" so 1" taller and wider than 255's. So there is a 2" tire size difference plus it's 1" higher in the front. It's a base model with stock springs. I think I want about 1-1/2 - 2" lower in the front. Those MOOG 5758 (474lb) sunflower quoted also look like an interesting option. The van steel sounds like a neat way to go if they will adjust low enough.
The wheels are visions 15x8 with 4.5" backspacing 0 offset, I put a 1" spacer (steel adapter) in the rear. In the front I put in longer studs and 1/4" steel spacers.
Because I like doing the job more than once, I'll probably start with chopping the stock springs, then move onto installing other springs. About the 4th or 5th attempt I'll get the right height.
I didn't even think of that, I'll take a closer look
That might be worth a shot, I wasn't sure how far I could go without getting too stiff.
It's 77 with stock opening , the front are 26", so 1" shorter than 255's . The rear tires are 28" so 1" taller and wider than 255's. So there is a 2" tire size difference plus it's 1" higher in the front. It's a base model with stock springs. I think I want about 1-1/2 - 2" lower in the front. Those MOOG 5758 (474lb) sunflower quoted also look like an interesting option. The van steel sounds like a neat way to go if they will adjust low enough.
The wheels are visions 15x8 with 4.5" backspacing 0 offset, I put a 1" spacer (steel adapter) in the rear. In the front I put in longer studs and 1/4" steel spacers.
Because I like doing the job more than once, I'll probably start with chopping the stock springs, then move onto installing other springs. About the 4th or 5th attempt I'll get the right height.
Thanks
Yeah that's kinda always been my motto too. Why do something the easy way when you can do it the most excruciatingly painful way possible?
Looks like a non stock fender opening to me , if it is you won't be able to lower it enough
I see what you mean.....good eyes.
Originally Posted by sunflower 1972
I don't think so.
I believe that "EricP" is talking about the OP's car. Take another look at the picture he (the OP) posted. The fender opening appears to have a lot more "flare" to it, and the distance from the top of the opening, to the peak of the fender, seems about 1" less.
I believe that "EricP" is talking about the OP's car. Take another look at the picture he (the OP) posted. The fender opening appears to have a lot more "flare" to it, and the distance from the top of the opening, to the peak of the fender, seems about 1" less.
In the original Picture of this thread the car looks to be sitting way too high in front. Like the springs are the wrong ones or they are not in their pockets. With no Engine at all the car should not be sitting that high. Once You for sure know You have the right springs and there installed right You can heat up the bottom coil of the Springs with a torch till, they get red and they will bend under the weight of the car lowering it. This is NOT the correct way to do it but it works to see how its looks. Once You like it You can remove the Spring and cut off the portion that was heated.
I swapped in a 5.3LS which has an iron block and aluminum heads, plastic intake and aluminum Water pump. Plus I put a aluminum rad, dual fans and a small trans cooler. Removed all the AC, and anything else not needed. The car is a 78 but had an 80-82 rear installed with stock fiberglass mono spring and the front had uncut 550lb aftermarket springs. I had 28.25”-28.5” front height and 29”-29.25” rear height. I installed a 9” rear bolt and got down to 28” rear and I cut 1/2 a coil on the front and made sure the top was indexed and not my front is 27 5/8” so it lowered 3/4” front and 1” rear and looks better. Removing weight with 400+lb front springs doesn’t really reduce height due to the stiff ness. Even if you took out 200lbs your looking at like .25” height difference with 400lb springs in the front bc there are two.
An uncut 550lb aftermarket spring lowered my front end exactly 1”. 235/60 vs stock 255/60 tires lowered another 1”. I’d been advised that lowering below 2” makes decent alignment specs more difficult.
Rear needs fender flares
Last edited by Kerschmolar; Dec 7, 2021 at 03:49 PM.
Reason: Add pic
Lowering springs question
