Lowering a Vette? (Full Version)

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Lowering a Vette?

  

C3 Starship -> Lowering a Vette? (9/28/2007 9:20:07 PM)

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? [8|] 
I suggested shorter coils up front, but I have no clue how to drop the rear.

  
C3 Starship -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/28/2007 9:47:44 PM)

I don't recommend pulling leafs, makes it ride "squishy". [:'(]

allill -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/28/2007 9:48:26 PM)

C3 Starship,

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

78buckshot -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/29/2007 5:27:09 AM)

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?

allill -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/29/2007 10:41:14 AM)

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

cyclic hardover -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/29/2007 10:59:46 AM)

Lowering a Vette eh?  Gees, Just get some smaller wheels?[:D]  I guess this is to insure you nail the front end going into the driveway?

allill -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/29/2007 11:21:51 AM)

Nah,

I want to fill in the wheel wells.

C3 Starship -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/29/2007 11:25:58 AM)

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. [8|]

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. [&o] Glad I caught this, I don't want to steer anybody in the wrong direction. [:)]
 

78buckshot -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/29/2007 11:38:07 AM)

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.

C3 Starship -> RE: Lowering a Vette? (9/29/2007 12:12:52 PM)

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.

  

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