383vett

I installed front spring wedges and cut the rubber pads off the spring ends to lower the front of my car. It still sits high. I have removed the a/c, smog stuff, have a lighweight Ron Davis radiator and took 20 lbs out of the front bumper and the car still sits higher than I want it to. I know coilovers should be my next move, but the early C4s need the shock mount enlarged and boxed and I don't feel like doing it now. Anyone have thoughts of having the front spring sit directly on the K-frame without wedges or pads? This car is trailered to the track and cornering is not a concern. I was thinking of putting a rubber pad (innertube stuff) between the two to protect the spring. Willie

87 vette 81 big girl

How lite is your race car?
Sounds like the race car only weighs 2,600- 2,700lbs in full race trim.

I don't see why you could not use rubber inner tube strips in place of the spring wedges.
Worth trying I think.

Brian

PLRX

Willie, there was a guy in here yearsss ago and he took everything out. That was the lowest C4 I've ever seen and it was a driver. I bet you would not have any issues if you remove the wedges.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...ian-punch.html

Charleston2012

At least put a little piece of solid rubber, like was said above. Needs some protection so the spring doesn't delaminate/crack.
Kalani owned the car above, knew him well. He is in Texas now. He was LOOOWWWWW. But, never any issues, and he just cruised. Hawaii roads are horrible, so, he survived with the soft springs too.
Make sure if you go real low you have shocks that can handle the travel as you take it away when lowered.

87 vette 81 big girl

Man that is low!!!
Its Indy Car style Low.
Had no idea a C4 could be lowered so far down to the ground ad driven on the street.
Would not work out so well in Illinois.
Most roads are in terrible shape north of Peoria, IL

Oklahoma_mike

QFT!!!
Last time I was in Peoria and had to get an alignment when I got back (not in the Vette)

Crepitus

I saw pics of an A arm that had the spring pockets cut out then welded back in deeper. Looked pretty slick. It will be a month or so befor I have time. I have not looked into this yet but if this works right I would be interested in doing these.

87 vette 81 big girl

They finally repaved highway 116 that runs into and out of Peoria last year in 2010.

They got the money before the nameless president I will call him tonight............ stole it all for himself.

Rest of Illinois sucks pretty bad right now.
Its like a dream driving in my 87 Vert now.
From Peoria all the way to I-55 south of Joilet 30 miles.
About 85-90 miles of pure smooth 2- lane blacktop.
I kept my Vette off of Peoria roads for all of 2008, 2009, and most of 2010.

I knew better to.

Brian

ls1transam84

I am just running the factory aluminum shims with just a thin layer of the original rubber (I didn't want to get into the spring) on top of my spring.

Charleston2012

Remember, every year spring is different, based on code, such as FE1, ZO7, Z51, FX3 etc etc. When I did ZO7 springs from 89 challenge car, I have a wedge, and 3/4 delrin blocks on the same spot as where the pads on the end of the springs would be, and I am at 25.5 front. If I took the blocks out and the wedge, it would drop at least another inch.
So, everyone's car will be a little different.

383vett

Thanks guys for all the comments. I'll give it a try in the next week or two. My car weighs 3050 with the roll cage and solid rear. It still has the full interior with power windows, locks and everything.

Oklahoma_mike

good to hear it I think Im going to be heading up that way to visit CAT soon and am thinking of driving now.

Kubs

I dont have any wedges in mine either. I cut off all but maybe a 1/16th of rubber and I havnt had any issue with road racing it for the past 3+ years like that.

383vett

Kubs

I want to update my post. I just removed my spring and I noticed that with the little bit of rubber I left, the frame came in contact with the spring and left some marks. You need at least a little more rubber to keep the from from touching.

383vett

Thanks Kubs. I've been busy with other projects and haven't attacked the spring yet. Willie

C4Betts

I used the mid america kit to lower my '89 and still not happy with the little amount it lowered the front.

I examined each of the lower A arms and thought about doing exactly what Crepitus mentioned above. If you bring that area of the spring pocket down enough you could actually adjust up with shims if it turns out too low (if its possible to be too low!).

My plan however is to go find a couple of spare A arms some day to do the mod with just in case it goes in the tank...

383vett

Let us know how it works out and take some pics.

Aardwolf

I've got a pic of that mod here somewhere.



When I worked on lowering mine I didn't use a kit. Cut the stock rubber down to about 1/4". No need to mess with gluing new wedges on. Also cut down the rubber on the ends of the spring. Mine lowered down 1" with that.

383vett

Looks like a good idea. Thanks.