My Vette was sitting very low at the front end and also tilted a bit to one side.

So I decided to replace the coil springs with 460s and use gas shocks. At first I was concerned, since the 460 coil springs were about 2 inches shorter then my old springs and thought that the tires would rub.

But...After installation the car sits alot higher. There is a good 4 inches above the tire to the edge of the wheel wall. My friends joke that it looks like a 4X4.

I was hoping in time that the front end would lower, but it has been about a month since installation.

Any advice to lowering the front end...short of chopping an inch or so off the coil spring?
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Chet

Sounds like you got Big Block Springs designed to carry more weight.

I've talked to several people about susupension items for our corvettes and most state that there are really no companies that make a spring to the same specs that were used at the factory. Most of them are aftermarket pieces and even though they will produce a good ride and restore ride height the ride heights will vary all over the place especially from one mfg to the next.

Does any of that make sense.

Not sure how you would correct it. I wouldn't cut much of the spring down to get the height. It might take you a while to get it just where you need it. I've been told not to cut more then an inch off at a time until you get the look your wanting.

No torch on the cut , just a wiz wheel.

Hi Matthew,

Do you know whether cutting a coil spring, would create problems with proper seating or stress points on the control arm(s)...or is there a particular method to cutting the coil spring?

You want to cut it in the same shape cut that was there. And Yes you do have to watch the seat positon on the bottom. The top may be more forgiving. A close look will tell you where you can cut. Or have the spring comressed and banded, then place your oven at 500 degrees for 12 hours, let cool and unband. It will stay lower.

Heating seems to be a very good alternative.

Thanks Ken

I think I'd prefer the heating and re-tempering method over cutting.

What ever you do ,I would'nt advise going off roading with it. As maybe you can see by the pic mine had new springs put in it,3 years ago just b-4 I bought it,they never did settle down,but I am leaving it that way,it's easier for an old man like me to get in and out of,and I dont have problems with speed bumps and rough roads and bottoming out

kstyer said: Or have the spring comressed and banded, then place your oven at 500 degrees for 12 hours, let cool and unband. It will stay lower.

Hey Boss, I'm guessing these will no longer be 460 lbs after they've compressed, correct?

JR

Oddly enough, they will still be 460, or very close. This procedure lowers the height without changing the spring much at all. The key to the compression is how much the spring is compressed by the bands, and how long it's heated. Again, be sure they are cool before removing the bands. Any good spring shop can band them.

Interesting....I might give it a try. Any chance of one being lower than the other?

JR