Topic: LOWERING MY C3
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Former Member
Send PM
Canada
Joined: 3/9/2008
Posts: 164
Vette(s): 70 VETTE 350/300HP, AUTOMATIC, ALL STOCK EXCEPT FOR MILD CAM,LAGUNA GREY, 3:55 POSI GEARS
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Former Member
Send PM
Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
I got GY Eagle GT II 255/60/15's all around on mine when I bought my tires I had the same idea you did about filling out the wheel wells. I bought the longer longer bolts for the leafs in the rear later on during the rebuild. Right now my rear sits lower than the front cause I haven't screwed around with adjusting it but it looks like a good height. I thought about getting the shorter front coils to drop the front down but I'm 99% sure my tires would rub. I can snap some pics is you want.
79rebuild 2008-03-14 22:08:25
I seen a 79 at the puyallup swap meet just like mine, he had the super cool VB&P suspension package and it was all set up for auto cross. He had the low profile tires on it and I got to admint I'm not a huge fan of low pro's on older cars but it looked pretty good. Really low to the ground though, I'm thinking he's gotta hate driving it on a bumpy road.
Measure from the ground to the inside lip of the wheel well at it's highest point (along center of wheel). Then you can tell what size tire will fill it up.
www.tirerack.com will give you the outside dia. of the diff. tire sizes. We can tell you also.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
You just have to play with it, and get it adjusted. I am not sure bigger tires is the answer. I run 235/60s front and read on our cars, and am very happy with them.
Standard bolts are about 6 1/2 inches long, you can get 7 or 8 or even 9 inch to get the ride height you desire. Making the spring lower on the outside end lowers the car.
Standard springs were nine leaf, and HD springs were 7 leaf. DO NOT REMOVE ANY LEAFS. If you change the bolts, change the rubber and hardware at the same time.
Former Member
Send PM
Canada
Joined: 3/9/2008
Posts: 164
Vette(s): 70 VETTE 350/300HP, AUTOMATIC, ALL STOCK EXCEPT FOR MILD CAM,LAGUNA GREY, 3:55 POSI GEARS
CAN YOU SEND ME SOME PICS,THANKS
Former Member
Send PM
Canada
Joined: 3/9/2008
Posts: 164
Vette(s): 70 VETTE 350/300HP, AUTOMATIC, ALL STOCK EXCEPT FOR MILD CAM,LAGUNA GREY, 3:55 POSI GEARS
I HAVE 26.5 INCHES IN THE FRONT AND 27.5 INCHES IN THE REAR!
Former Member
Send PM
Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
I took these today. Keep in mind I just rebuilt everything on dropped the body back on about 2 months ago. 30 inches in the front ground to body and 28 3/8 in the rear. Ride height and alingnment has not been set and the car has only been driven in n out of the garage, I've been working too much lately to mess with anything 
. You can see I sucked the rear down lower than the front when I put it back together.
. You can see I sucked the rear down lower than the front when I put it back together. Will the front settle down with a little driving? I got faith in Joel, he says it will but I'm a little skeptical since my heads are now aluminum. Ifn it don't then I'll just get some shorter coils. Hope this helps!
Former Member
Send PM
Canada
Joined: 3/9/2008
Posts: 164
Vette(s): 70 VETTE 350/300HP, AUTOMATIC, ALL STOCK EXCEPT FOR MILD CAM,LAGUNA GREY, 3:55 POSI GEARS
ITS GOING TO LOOK GREAT WHEN ITS COMPLETED
THANKS FOR THE PICS, I WILL TRY THE 255/60/15, I THINK THEY SHOULD FILL IN MOST OF THE GAP.
THANKS FOR THE PICS, I WILL TRY THE 255/60/15, I THINK THEY SHOULD FILL IN MOST OF THE GAP. 
Lifetime MemberModerator
Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II
You don't want to go to low, or you will scrape going over speed bumps and driveways. I just backed mine out of the garage for the first time since putting in the new motor with headers. I have a steep drive with a bit of a break over going into the garage. As I backed out the collector flange drug on the garage floor and caught on the seam between the garage and driveway
. Bent the flange just a little. Couldn't hear the scraping with the open headers, but I was going real slow so no damage
. I now need to lay a 2x10 on the floor to get the flange to clear.
. Bent the flange just a little. Couldn't hear the scraping with the open headers, but I was going real slow so no damage. I now need to lay a 2x10 on the floor to get the flange to clear.Former Member
Send PM
Yelm, WA - USA
Joined: 7/12/2007
Posts: 356
Vette(s): 1979 L82 4 speed Scat 383 crank 190 cc Procomp Aluminum Heads 202 160 stainless valves GM Powder metal rods Speedpro H860CP Hypereutectic pistons 280 cam hydralic HEI Pro comp 1.6 roller rockers Mighty Demon 750 Sanderson CC1AP Hedders.
JC Vette I would have them mout a set on the front to make sure you got your full turning radius and no rub.
Glen I'm glad you didn't ruin nothing!
I'm glad you didn't ruin nothing! Your wheels and tires look good! 
I got turned off on the idea of bigger wheels and low pro's cause I seen some that weren't in proportion with the car. It really does make a big difference when they look right on the car.
I got turned off on the idea of bigger wheels and low pro's cause I seen some that weren't in proportion with the car. It really does make a big difference when they look right on the car.in Forum: C3 Handling Components
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)