Lowering a Vette?

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Lowering a Vette?

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Corvette >> Corvette Models >> Corvette C3 Forum >> Lowering a Vette?

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Lowering a Vette? - 9/28/2007 9:20:07 PM

C3 Starship

Posts: 4761
Joined: 7/25/2006
Status: offline

A member PM'd me about my suspension. He wanted to know about my set-up. He can't go with it at this time, so.......

How do ya lower a C3 that has stock suspension?

I suggested shorter coils up front, but I have no clue how to drop the rear.

_____________________________

1980 L-82 Fastback (forward too)
Mono composite front and rear.
Full adjust ride height and
response.
400+ hp, 454, M-22, 3.07

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o225/C3Starship/Patch.jpg

2007 H. D. Sportster, XL 883 EFI

Post #: 1

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/28/2007 9:47:44 PM

C3 Starship

Posts: 4761
Joined: 7/25/2006
Status: offline

I don't recommend pulling leafs, makes it ride "squishy".

_____________________________

1980 L-82 Fastback (forward too)
Mono composite front and rear.
Full adjust ride height and
response.
400+ hp, 454, M-22, 3.07

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o225/C3Starship/Patch.jpg

2007 H. D. Sportster, XL 883 EFI

(in reply to C3 Starship)

Post #: 2

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/28/2007 9:48:26 PM

allill

Posts: 40
Joined: 4/6/2007
Status: offline

C3 Starship,

Thanks for posting this, I am all ears about it.

_____________________________

-jeff

1975 Corvette with 44k original

(in reply to C3 Starship)

Post #: 3

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/29/2007 5:27:09 AM

78buckshot

Posts: 654
Joined: 1/28/2007
From: Michigan
Status: offline

To lower the ride height on the rear of '63-'79 vette's you need to lengthen the link (large bolt) that connects the end of the spring to the trailing arm. The original link may not have enough thread to lower the amount you desire but I have seen longer bolts in some of the catalogues. This will change the ride height but leave the spring rate unaltered. For the front end, shorter springs or take the temper out of one coil with heat just like like Starship was saying. Can't help you with the '80-'82, I haven't seen the rear setup on those, what do you think Dave, can you remember what the factory link system was on you're car?

(in reply to allill)

Post #: 4

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/29/2007 10:41:14 AM

allill

Posts: 40
Joined: 4/6/2007
Status: offline

So just longer bolts and the leafs don't need to be changed?

_____________________________

-jeff

1975 Corvette with 44k original

(in reply to 78buckshot)

Post #: 5

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/29/2007 10:59:46 AM

cyclic hardover

Posts: 76
Joined: 6/23/2006
Status: offline

Lowering a Vette eh? Gees, Just get some smaller wheels?

I guess this is to insure you nail the front end going into the driveway?

(in reply to allill)

Post #: 6

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/29/2007 11:21:51 AM

allill

Posts: 40
Joined: 4/6/2007
Status: offline

Nah,

I want to fill in the wheel wells.

_____________________________

-jeff

1975 Corvette with 44k original

(in reply to cyclic hardover)

Post #: 7

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/29/2007 11:25:58 AM

C3 Starship

Posts: 4761
Joined: 7/25/2006
Status: offline

I haven't been under a pre '80 Vette, so I don't know if there is a dif. in the rear suspension. I'm thinkin' of a Shorter link bolt, or one with more threads. Hope I'm not thinkin' backwards.

Oh ya, .....I really don't like the idea of heating the coils. It's very hard to get equal height, and you can ruin the performance of the spring. I would prefer to either cut the existing springs, or better yet, get shorter coils.

Correction !.......
See my later post. This post is all wrong reguarding the rear spring. Glad I caught this, I don't want to steer anybody in the wrong direction.

< Message edited by C3 Starship -- 9/29/2007 12:20:05 PM >

_____________________________

1980 L-82 Fastback (forward too)
Mono composite front and rear.
Full adjust ride height and
response.
400+ hp, 454, M-22, 3.07

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o225/C3Starship/Patch.jpg

2007 H. D. Sportster, XL 883 EFI

(in reply to allill)

Post #: 8

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/29/2007 11:38:07 AM

78buckshot

Posts: 654
Joined: 1/28/2007
From: Michigan
Status: offline

I can see from diagrams that the differential is hung differently between the '63-'79 and the '80-'82 cars but I haven't paid much attention to the rest of the rear end on the '80-'82's. If there is a link between the spring end and the trailing arm that is similar to the earlier models then it should be adjustable as well.

(in reply to C3 Starship)

Post #: 9

RE: Lowering a Vette? - 9/29/2007 12:12:52 PM

C3 Starship

Posts: 4761
Joined: 7/25/2006
Status: offline

O.K., I just looked in my manual. I was thinking all wrong on the rear spring.
Looks like a spacer can be put between the spring end and the trailing arm, possibly a polly bushing, like the ones used on the top and bottom of the spring and trailing arms. And yes, use a longer bolt.

_____________________________

1980 L-82 Fastback (forward too)
Mono composite front and rear.
Full adjust ride height and
response.
400+ hp, 454, M-22, 3.07

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o225/C3Starship/Patch.jpg

2007 H. D. Sportster, XL 883 EFI

(in reply to 78buckshot)

Post #: 10