Ride height with 460 springs?
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Burlington Ontario
Ride height with 460 springs?
Anyone with 460 lb springs (vbp) on their car, I would like to get the measurement from the floor to the top of the wheel well. I put new springs in my car (vbp 460) and they were supposed to drop the front of the car approx. 1" I think it is setting way too high. I have run the car for approx. 2 months hoping that they would settle out but no luck. My car is sitting @ 29.3/4" right now.
Thanks
Jeff :cheers:
Thanks
Jeff :cheers:
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From: Clearwater FL
Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (patsnitrovette)
the 550 lb springs would of dropped it not the 460lb springs. When you tightened the end bolts on your a-arms (where the bushings are) did you let the car settle first or did you tighten them up and leave them alone. Try loosening them, drive 10 ft or so and back and than tighten up those bolts again. This might help you out a little bit. You should of went w/the 550 lb coils to get the lower drop though. :thumbs: good luck
[Modified by Van Steel, 12:46 PM 11/3/2003]
[Modified by Van Steel, 12:46 PM 11/3/2003]
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From: Burlington Ontario
Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Van Steel)
the 550 lb springs would of dropped it not the 460lb springs. When you tightened the end bolts on your a-arms (where the bushings are) did you let the car settle first or did you tighten them up and leave them alone. Try loosening them, drive 10 ft or so and back and than tighten up those bolts again. This might help you out a little bit. You should of went w/the 550 lb coils to get the lower drop though. :thumbs: good luck
I did leave the bolts loose and drove the car around the block hoping to settle them out, then tightened them up with the weight of the car on them.
Do you think I could cut the coils to get the ride height I want or would this be a problem. I was sure when I ordered them the description said they would lower the car approx. 1". I thought the 550 lb springs were for BB cars.
Thanks
Jeff
[Modified by Van Steel, 12:46 PM 11/3/2003]
I did leave the bolts loose and drove the car around the block hoping to settle them out, then tightened them up with the weight of the car on them.
Do you think I could cut the coils to get the ride height I want or would this be a problem. I was sure when I ordered them the description said they would lower the car approx. 1". I thought the 550 lb springs were for BB cars.
Thanks
Jeff
[Modified by Van Steel, 12:46 PM 11/3/2003]
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From: Clearwater FL
Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Jeffski)
Yes, you can cut the coils to get the ride height you want.
You are correct about the 550 lb coils. They were used in the BB cars but you can use them in a SB and get a lower ride height.
You live and learn I guess. There is no problem at all if you cut them. I would look in the archives about cutting coils. It was a topic recently brought up and I think you can find some good info there. Have fun
:smash: :thumbs:
You are correct about the 550 lb coils. They were used in the BB cars but you can use them in a SB and get a lower ride height.
You live and learn I guess. There is no problem at all if you cut them. I would look in the archives about cutting coils. It was a topic recently brought up and I think you can find some good info there. Have fun
:smash: :thumbs:
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From: Auburndale Florida
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Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Jeffski)
Jeff I have the same problem. I do not like the stance of my car (ck out the sig pic) My car sits at 28.5" with 235/6015" tires. Previous owner put in new springs. Have no idea what they are. I started a thread last week about cuttiing coil springs. I will see if I can forward to you. It is quite long. Good Luck
Mark :steering:
Mark :steering:
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Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Jeffski)
Getting the ride height right after spring replacement has got to be one of the all-time PITAs of Corvette ownership.
An interesting solution is the VBP front monoleaf spring conversion, which has adjustable ride height and spring rate.
Danny, this is a subject that comes up with some regularity. How about one of your Van Steel deals on the monoleaf spring kits? Sounds like you've got several potential customers here.
[Modified by Mike Smith, 8:07 PM 11/3/2003]
An interesting solution is the VBP front monoleaf spring conversion, which has adjustable ride height and spring rate.
Danny, this is a subject that comes up with some regularity. How about one of your Van Steel deals on the monoleaf spring kits? Sounds like you've got several potential customers here.
[Modified by Mike Smith, 8:07 PM 11/3/2003]
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From: Huntsville AL
Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Jeffski)
There are pictures here of before and after cutting one coil off the 460# springs on my 81. www.angelfire.com/al/swhite7/frontend.html
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From: Clearwater FL
Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Mike Smith)
Mike Smith
If we can gather at least 5 people, I can get you guys in at $610 plus shipping. That $40 off. I will be gone however from Wednesday to Monday (SEMA Show). When I get back I'll check back and see what we have going on. If we have 5 people, I can get the ball rolling.
If we can gather at least 5 people, I can get you guys in at $610 plus shipping. That $40 off. I will be gone however from Wednesday to Monday (SEMA Show). When I get back I'll check back and see what we have going on. If we have 5 people, I can get the ball rolling.
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Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Jeffski)
I got a 1.5 inch ride height increase compared to my old worn out springs when I had the 460 lbs/inch VBP springs installed...
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From: N Cal
Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Van Steel)
I just bought the VBP 460lb springs and I am in the process of rebuilding the front suspension and steering system. Will 460lb. springs give me the stock ride height or will they give that 4x4 look???????
Mike Smith
If we can gather at least 5 people, I can get you guys in at $610 plus shipping. That $40 off. I will be gone however from Wednesday to Monday (SEMA Show). When I get back I'll check back and see what we have going on. If we have 5 people, I can get the ball rolling.
If we can gather at least 5 people, I can get you guys in at $610 plus shipping. That $40 off. I will be gone however from Wednesday to Monday (SEMA Show). When I get back I'll check back and see what we have going on. If we have 5 people, I can get the ball rolling.
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Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (l2vette)
the 460 lb springs will bring it back up to stock position. Just remember as mentioned above to loosen the bolts where the bushing are on your control arms and tighten them up AFTER you have moved the car around and let the weight settle everything.
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Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (GrandSportC3)
Here's a pic of the ride height of my '68 with the 460 lbs/inch springs:
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Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (1970 Stingray)
I put the 460's in the front of my 1980 and had the same problem. I thought it was due to the aluminum heads, intake, water pump instead of all the cast iron parts.
I cut mine by over 1 coil to get it low, but now it's too low. I cut about 1 and 1/3 coil and now have a inner fender height of 26" with 26" tall tires (255/45/17).
3/4 - 1 coil seems to work good. Try 3/4 coil and drive it for a week to see how it looks.
FYI - i recommend a ball joint press (just like a pitman arm puller, or a larger tie rod press) to take care of the lower ball joint. It works much better than a pickle fork and won't ruin the boot.
I cut mine by over 1 coil to get it low, but now it's too low. I cut about 1 and 1/3 coil and now have a inner fender height of 26" with 26" tall tires (255/45/17).
3/4 - 1 coil seems to work good. Try 3/4 coil and drive it for a week to see how it looks.
FYI - i recommend a ball joint press (just like a pitman arm puller, or a larger tie rod press) to take care of the lower ball joint. It works much better than a pickle fork and won't ruin the boot.
Melting Slicks
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From: N Cal
Re: Ride height with 460 springs? (Van Steel)
Thanks for the response!!
the 460 lb springs will bring it back up to stock position. Just remember as mentioned above to loosen the bolts where the bushing are on your control arms and tighten them up AFTER you have moved the car around and let the weight settle everything.
