Okay my 1980 money pit seems to be sagging a little on the driver side. I took everything off to see if it had been clocked wrong and it was by about 1.5 inches; however, upon further observation it still seems to be bunching a little at the bottom of spring. Coils are a little closer together as it hits the bottom. At first I thought nothing about it but then I realized I converted almost everything from the cam up to aluminum, so I might have lightened up the car about 70lbs, so if anything the coils should be more open like the passenger side. Anyway thanks to some good info here in the forum(Leigh's, 4-vette's and some other threads), I was able to take the front spring off with not too much hassle. I will admit it was a little scary, but you all know how it is when you want something right you set your sights and go. My question is my car seems to have a pretty big gap on both sides regardless of one being lower than the other. I approximate about 2.5-3 inches in between tire and fender. What spring do you all recommend to bring this gap down to at least 1-1.5 inches? I have looked at all the Corvette online stores and some say they are easier to install but that the ride height shouldn't be affected. Any recommendations, all my other suspension accessories are MOOG. I would really like to just put the springs in once and forget about it, but I guess if I have to cut a coil so be it. I don't want to change rear leaf spring at the present time so I would like to stay with a spring of less than 460lbs. if possible.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I encourage you to play with the spreadsheet program.
Take some time to get your car options/weights correct and even measure the coil diameter if you can. 80s had like 6 front coils available. Finding a spring code tag makes it easier.
A couple things I noticed:
The close wound coils should be at the top vs the bottom
The coil end should not be 1.5" off the spring stop. These 2 items leave me to believe someone has been in there before. So who knows if they are the correct coils.
80lbs less engine weight should only raise the front roughly 0.5"
The CC460 cols should lower your front about 1.0" from where you are now, but it depends a lot on which coils you have in there now.

 

The CC460 cols should lower your front about 1.0" from where you are now, but it depends a lot on which coils you have in there now.[/QUOTE]

Found these 460 AT TFLGHT

FEATURES/BENEFITS

• For less than you would spend on a set of stock coils, you can upgrade your Corvette Performance Coil Springs.
• Made from high-grade steel, then powder coated for great looks and to resist corrosion. These springs will provide years of quality service.
• 1968-78 460 lb. Coil Springs are the best all-around coil spring available - and the ideal compromise between stock and performance springs.
• 1963-82 Performance Coil Springs give you even greater handling capacity, and lower your Corvette approximately 1" while upgrading to F-41 specifications.
• 13- TALL AND .660- THICK
• Engineered to Meet or Exceed OEM Specifications
• OEM Part Number:
• Associated Years: 1963-1982
• Notes: 13" Tall And .660" Thick
• Item Quantity Size: 1 PR
• Shipping Dimensions (LxWxH): 7in x 20in x 7in
• Weight: 19.6 pound

I am thinking these are the ones you are referring to?

 

yep!

try and measure the diameter of yours or see if they have any code tags on them

 

There are no springs in the Moog catalog that will give you a stock ride height or close to......they all leave the front end too high and I myself have cut two sets and I know of a half dozen others on this forum that have as well......
If both side are even...and two inches too high......cut 1.25 coils out of them......one coil cut will not give you quite 2"........

Jebby

 

i had good luck with the Moog 474#. it rides the same height as the original springs i took out.. like #290..
here is a few threads
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-for-79-a.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rs-method.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rs-method.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...questions.html

 

I’ve been very happy with the ride height and ride quality of these Hyperco dual-rate(480-700) springs from Ridetech. Advertised to lower 2”, but mine went down 1”. Good ride height for me; can be cut as well; optional spacers for less change. Paired with 330 rear composite spring; also would be good with 360. The 550 coils I put on my other Vette resulted in the same 1” lowering, cost half as much, but ride is rougher. Side-to-side leaning in corners and quick lane changes greatly reduced; reduced even more with 18” wheels. Pictured with same as original 27” diameter tires. Interestingly, manufacturer’s instructions mention springs can be mounted with either end up.
Charlie

 

We need a spring database.... Wouldn't that be something?

Jebby

 

Do you mean the springs with equal spaced coils?
The F-41 (#550) springs are seven, equally spaced coils and either end can go up. On my F-41 EA springs, one end of the coil has a notch in it. I don't think it matters on these springs but I make sure the notched end is the same on the left and right wheel.
The longer springs are more for "Grand Touring" cars of the mid 70's to 82, and the coils are typically longer and have coils closer together on one end.
Everything I have ever read says the closer coils are to be at the top (stationary in the frame cup) and the wider coil spacing is to go down on the lower A arm (active end).
This is to prevent spring binding as the A arm swings through it's suspension travel.

 

I went ahead and ordered the #460 that supposedly drop it 1". I am going to go ahead and install them that way and drive for about a month. Then go back if I have to and cut a coil.

 

Just a FYI. Back in 2017 this was the result of the Corvette Central 460 lb. not cut. This is with aluminum heads and intake without A/C. I was not happy. And yes, springs were indexed correctly.



CC 460lb. spring with 1 1/2 coil cut.

Dorman 474lb. with 1/2 coil cut. Stock Rallye wheel/tire and 17" TT wheel/tire both have 27" diameter.

 

I can't recommend enough the QA1 coil over conversion. Sure it's a little more money but it is easier to install and it lets you get the desired ride height perfect.

 

So you think right of the bat it is going to be high. My car also has aluminum heads, intake, headers instead of exhaust manifolds, and no smog stuff. I also got rid off clutch fan and shroud. Has electric fans for now. I am tempted to cut at least 1" from the start.

 

I use the rule of thumb half the spring hight cut gives twice full height drop... 1/2" spring hight cut give 1" lowering
this is 3/4 coil cut (.75" spring height cut) gave 1.5" drop

 

I think that's a good idea.

 

Wow...that is an incredible spread sheet! I haven't seen it before. Thanks for sharing!!


JIM

 

I am curious to know from those who have cut springs...
Which end of the spring did you cut?
I believe these springs actually have different rates on each end because of the different coil spacing.
I would think I would cut the top end with the close spacing, but it would be interesting to know the different results...

 

all cut front springs but also all same coil spacing top and bottom... just me but what ever length of coil I'm cutting I split the difference and take equal amounts off both ends, perhaps not necessary

 

All the springs that I cut their coils were evenly spaced. Made no difference which end to cut.

 

Also, one thing to keep in mind is as you lower the car, it increases negative camber, which is not a bad thing.