Topic: LOWERING MY C3
in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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Lifetime MemberLodi, WI - USA
Joined: 9/25/2007
Posts: 340
Vette(s): 1972 Targa Blue, T-Top, Saddle leather, 350 auto,numbers match, all original except '69 factory side exhaust.
Previously owned: 1969 427, 390hp, 4sp, Riverside Gold coupe, factory side exhaust
I have been reading with great interest about the ride hetght of your C3s. I have always felt that my 72 sits too high in the rear, and doesn't fill the wheel well. I bought it in 1973 so I am fairly certain it is all stock. About 6 years ago I replaced the rear leaf spring with a standard spring, so that didn't change anything.
I just went out and measured 3 1/2 " from the top of the tire to the bottom lip of the wheel well in the rear and 2 1/4" in front. I am running BFG Radial TAs P215 70 R-15. I bought those tires because they were close to the origional F 70-15 Bias Ply tires. I'm sure bigger tires would help but didn't want to screw up the speedo. If there is a way to lower the rear end while keeping it close stock, I would like to hear about it.
I'll keep montering your conversation. Thanks for the help.
Dean
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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 WAS JUST READING OVER SOME SPECS ON THE BF GOODRICH T/A, MAYBE I CAN GO WITH THE 235/70/15 ITS OVERALL DIAMETER IS 28 AND MAYBE 225/70/15 IN THE FRONT, WHICH HAS OD OF 27.4
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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
THANKS DEAN ,FOR THE INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE, JUST MEASURED MINE AND I HAVE 2 INCHES IN THE FRONT AND 3 INCHES IN THE BACK AND I CURRENTLY HAVE 235/60/15. I THINK THE 255/60/15 WONT MAKE THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE, I WAS LOOKING AT THE 235/70/15 BUT HOW MUCH WILL THESE TIRES FILL IN OR WILL THEY JUST INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR. MAYBE WE CAN FIGURE SOMETHING OUT.
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
Posts: 1031
Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
As I look at your picture, I have to believe something is not right. You have a big gap from tire to body, and the car sits too high. And you have already used longer bolts, which should have lowered the rear a couple of inches. Are you sure you got the correct spring? Or the correct bolts, correctly installed?
Larry
Larry
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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 THE 9 INCH BOLTS INSTALLED IN THE REAR. THEY HAD PUT IN BIG BLOCK SPRINGS IN THE FRONT AND I HAD THAT REPAIRED, CAR WAS SITTING TO HIGH. UNLESS THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS ARE INCORRECT FOR THE YEAR, PEOPLE ARE TELLING ME NOT TO REMOVE 1 OR 2 LEAFS TO DROP IT DOWN A BIT, IVE HAD PEOPLE DO THAT WITH NO ISSUES, WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DO I HAVE, I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE THE REAR LEAFS , THEY LOOK FAIRLY NEW AND BY GETTING 70 PROFILE TIRES WILL ONLY INCREASE THE HEIGHT OF THE CAR!
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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.
Well at least it looks good! I like the color
But now that he said it, it does look like it's sitting high in the rear. It's always hard to tell from a picture. When I had my rear leaf out I had some new cushions and bands put on em. There's a spring shop in tacoma, the guy at the shop new they was an aftermarket spring just by looking at em.
79rebuild 2008-03-17 20:37:46
But now that he said it, it does look like it's sitting high in the rear. It's always hard to tell from a picture. When I had my rear leaf out I had some new cushions and bands put on em. There's a spring shop in tacoma, the guy at the shop new they was an aftermarket spring just by looking at em.
It's kind of hard to work through stuff from the PO. I would try to ID the spring, # of leafs etc.. since you had BB coils on the front(weird) I would be a little suspect of the rear. Ya gotta love ebay if ya need to sell em and raise some cash for new ones.
from the looks of your sig pic your definately sitting way to high in the rear. make sure you turned the leaf spring bolts the correct way. the nut shoiuld be closer to the bottom of the bolt to lower it. i would definately check the springs.PO may have liked that high rear/ lower front look and put in too stiff a spring. I run Good rich ta`s 255/60 15 rear and 235/60 /15 fronts. 255`s in the front will cause you to catch your fender , trust i learned the hard way. i do not have those gap issues. i can still lower it some more if i wanted. 235`s to 255`s won`t change the hieght at all since those #`s relate to width.
VETTERBOB 2008-03-18 12:04:34
275`s would be way to wide without flares, unless you ;ike the tires sticking out past the wells. good luck.
FYI i run 29inches from the ground to the top of the wheel well in the center. which i think is the spec in the assembly manual.
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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
THANKS FOR THE INFO
, GOING TO TRY THE 255/60/15 IN THE REAR FIRST AND KEEPING THE 235/60/15 IN THE FRONT. I MEASURED MINE AND I HAVE 28 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR TO THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL IN THE REAR. I CHECKED TO SEE HOW MANY LEAFS I HAVE AND THERE ARE 9, LOOKS FAIRLY NEW MAYBE STILL STIFF.
, GOING TO TRY THE 255/60/15 IN THE REAR FIRST AND KEEPING THE 235/60/15 IN THE FRONT. I MEASURED MINE AND I HAVE 28 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR TO THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL IN THE REAR. I CHECKED TO SEE HOW MANY LEAFS I HAVE AND THERE ARE 9, LOOKS FAIRLY NEW MAYBE STILL STIFF.
Here's a thought - since you said the rear spring looks pretty new get a couple 50# bags of floor dry and toss them in the luggage area. The extra weight will help "relax" the spring a little quicker. Just don't lock up the brakes with them back there...!!!
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Former Member
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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
JUST GOT THE 255/60/15 BF RADIALS INSTALLED IN THE REAR, LOOKS BETTER THAN BEFORE, TRIED THEM IN THE FRONT FILLED IN THE WHEEL WELL BUT CRANKING THE WHEELS TO THE LEFT, WOULD RUB AGAINST THE FRAME. GOING TO TRY 245/60/15 IN THE FRONT, KEEP YOU POSTED!
, TRIED THEM IN THE FRONT FILLED IN THE WHEEL WELL BUT CRANKING THE WHEELS TO THE LEFT, WOULD RUB AGAINST THE FRAME. GOING TO TRY 245/60/15 IN THE FRONT, KEEP YOU POSTED!in Forum: C3 Handling Components
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