I would call VBP before using the local springs. With the different weights they offer the "w/o AC" tag could be a lighter weight for touring rather than performance. I can't say for sure. I replaced mine with VBP and went with the touring weight. Don't remember how the spring ends were but I do remember lining up the indent in the control arm and the top went into place as I tightened it up. Also, the new springs are alot shorter than the original factory ones. Easier to install and your ride height will be about the same. 

Check the springs carefully. See if one end has coils closer together than the other end. If so, those are "progressive" springs, and have a specific top & bottom. Have you tried installing them both ways?

Also, any time a spring is shorter, it will also be "stiffer". The diameter of the wire used to make the springs has a lot to do with stiffness, and a larger diameter wire allows a shorter spring to replace a longer, smaller diameter wire spring.

With all of that, if you have tried installing them both way, and swapping side/side, and they do not fit properly, then you should get in contact with the vendor....they may have sent you springs for another application by mistake.

Oh...the springs should not twist, or "corkscrew" as they are compressed. They might give a wee bit, but not that much.


|UPDATED|5/27/2013 6:41:35 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

This morning we got back to work. The coil springs arrived from the local vendor with a tag that simply read "C3 Corvette". These springs were the same height as the ones from VB&P and the start / stop points were same, too. It appears that these springs, as well as those from VB&P, are a bit thicker than the taller stock springs we just removed from the '79.

 

It appears that the springs are not progressive and the tops and bottoms were the same. No obvious left or right side either.

 

I called VB&P and was connected to the tech support. The person there told me to just line up the bottom ends with the lower control arm stops and not to worry about the upper stops.

 

Using the VB&P spring, we went ahead and finished the driver's side as per the above instructions. This Saturday we'll do the passenger side.

 

Does this sound OK?

|UPDATED|5/28/2013 8:09:02 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I'd go with what VBP says....run it!

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

What did VBP say about the springs being tagged for a non-A/C car?

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1973 L-82 4 spd

I forgot that A/C became standard sometime in the late 70's.  If they're not A/C specific, I wonder why they put the non-A/C tag on them.   

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1973 L-82 4 spd