RE: Lowering a Vette?
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RE: Lowering a Vette? - 10/2/2007 3:20:10 PM
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73shark
Posts: 1057
Joined: 4/18/2006
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I mis-remembered your earlier post. 
Besides the trailing arms being a PITA to remove, the four bolts that hold the leaf spring to the rear end are pretty tough also. Usually either twist one off or break an ear off the housing. 
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So many toys, so little time
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RE: Lowering a Vette? - 10/2/2007 9:11:35 PM
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blueshark
Posts: 2148
Joined: 7/20/2006
From: Dickson, TN.
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Nothin' a torch and a big Yankee screwdriver can't fix!....huh?
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God Speed Rich.
www.larosadesign.net
Design, Engineering,Tooling
www.stantonscustomrods.net
"Welcome to Tennessee,
The patron state of shootin' stuff".......Shooter
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RE: Lowering a Vette? - 10/2/2007 9:21:15 PM
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73shark
Posts: 1057
Joined: 4/18/2006
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Yep. Or in my case, a bigger impact wrench. 
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So many toys, so little time
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RE: Lowering a Vette? - 10/2/2007 9:23:25 PM
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blueshark
Posts: 2148
Joined: 7/20/2006
From: Dickson, TN.
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 73shark
Yep. Or in my case, a bigger impact wrench.
That's a 8lb sledge......right?
_____________________________
God Speed Rich.
www.larosadesign.net
Design, Engineering,Tooling
www.stantonscustomrods.net
"Welcome to Tennessee,
The patron state of shootin' stuff".......Shooter
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RE: Lowering a Vette? - 10/3/2007 5:33:36 AM
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C3 Starship
Posts: 4686
Joined: 7/25/2006
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On the front end drop......
place blocks at a measured distance under the frame just behind the front wheel well. Heat the coils 'til the frame settles gently onto the blocks. Don't get in a hurry, take your time and let is settle slowly. Apply heat a little at a time, ya don't have ta get them red at all, just warm 'em up. Let everyting cool and pull the blocks.
If ya want a 2" drop, have a 2" gap between the frame and blocks when ya start.
That's if ya wanna go this route.
_____________________________
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
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RE: Lowering a Vette? - 10/3/2007 1:44:28 PM
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allill
Posts: 40
Joined: 4/6/2007
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I think I'd rather cut them than heat them as heating metal usually takes away some of itts charachteristics. Any idea how much each coil cut would lower the car?
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-jeff
1975 Corvette with 44k original
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RE: Lowering a Vette? - 10/3/2007 4:33:07 PM
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C3 Starship
Posts: 4686
Joined: 7/25/2006
Status: offline
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Don't count coils, measure......
With the full weight of the car on the suspension, measure up on the coils for the desired drop, and mark it. ( let's say 2" ) After removing the coil you can now cut the coil.
Note: The distance you measured with the coil compressed, will be less, than if you measure to that same point with the coil at rest.(uncompressed, may be as much as 3 1/2" to 4" ) Do ya follow me here? 
Still cut at the point you marked, and you will get the desired drop. Don't cut at 90* to the coil winding, cut it so that the cut end will be flat when the coil is stood up. I'd use a saws-all rather than a hot wrench, this way you'll retain the metals integrity. It doesn't hurt to grind the burrs of of the cut, make it smooth.
Now that's how I do it, if someone knows of another way, let us know. I'm open to all ideas. 
BTW, allill ( Jeff ), did ya notice that over 300 people have looked at this thread, and 46 posts? I'm glad ya brought up the question.
That means that 50 people have checked on this thread, at least 4 times, and are sittin' back, just drinkin' this all in.
Corvettes, are a great spectators sport.
< Message edited by C3 Starship -- 10/3/2007 4:47:03 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
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RE: Lowering a Vette? - 10/4/2007 4:22:57 PM
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C3 Starship
Posts: 4686
Joined: 7/25/2006
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Oh ya,....one more thing.
When you cut away part of a coil, you effect the entire coil spring action.
EX;
Half the coil would give you less than half the spring responce. You are not only droping the front end, but effecting the spring responce. A removal of 2" may drop the front 2 1/4" or 2 1/2". The drop will grow expotentially the more you remove. 2 coils left on the spring, will not hold up the car. Follow me?
Heating or cutting coils is a quick fix, but not really a proper process for changing ride height, and can effect handling. That's why I recommended the adjustable monoleaf system.
I understand your situation. Cut the coils now, but ya might look into getting a proper suspension in the future.
_____________________________
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
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