My '73 has the original springs on the front and I replaced the shocks with KYB's. I did some suspension mod's to the rear recently and now the front now feels a little "floaty". Would replacing the springs tighten up the front and increase handling, especially in corners? If so, what size/weight rating would I want? Are there other ideas/options for upgrades? I added a sway bar in the rear and VBP advised I match to the front so I don't really don't want to change that. BTW, I put all new poly bushings on the control arms when I replaced the shocks about 5K miles ago.
front springs
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Install a spreader bar. That will help tighten up the front end. Plus, poly bushings on the front swaybar if you haven't done that yet.
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvettes/C2-C3-Suspension-Products/C3-Front-End-Chassis/1963-82-Un-Welded-Spreader-Bar-Kit.html?keyword=spreader+bar
http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeID=183
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stiffer springs make for better cornering, but it also rides stiffer as well, and might increase your ride height ..
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If you do go with stiffer springs and have too much ride height, you can cut the coils down a bit to lower the front end for the adjustment.
Yes I put in poly bushings on the sway bar. Thanks for the tip about a speader, I had never heard of it before.
I recently read an article bout this (prob what got me thinking bout it) and ride height is a concern. Car seems too hi already.
Seems like I read that cutting coils can lead to problems? Also, wouldn't cutting reduce the load capacity?
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I don't have coil springs on my vette, but I know a lot of others have cut the front coil springs to lower their vette. Post the question, should be others around that could tell you how it worked out for them.
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I cut my coils by an inch and a half. They were big block springs i think. I have a small block in the bay. I have encountered no issues. I have a pretty beefy front and rear sway bar too. My ride height is good in the front. Just a bit too high in the back. i was told that I can adjust the rear without too much trouble.
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try only cutting a 1/2 wrap that way........>
you will lower the ride height and I have cut MANY coil springs it NEVER caused me a problem on load capicity even in a pic-up hauling heavy loads. Try a 1/2 wrap 1st. You will effectivly lowerer the car about 1". I have NEVER cut more than 1 full wrap,
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cut the coils and the springs get STIFFER
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Bilstein Sport or HD will stiffen up the cornering , and the ride too ..[ but who buys a Corvette for the ride anyway?] ..also, Koni makes an adjustable firmness shock
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yeah, thats what I ve always heard. if you take 1 coil off a 10 coil , you lessen its height but increase its spring rate by the same 10%.. thats why you see these lowered pimpmobiles bouncing down the street ..they just cut the springs. its always better to have a full coil spring thats the right length than to cut one
There are actually three different spring sets available on the market, oem, 460 lbs and 550 lbs (both these as performance upgrades) which leads me to believe that the oem springs are less than 460?
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thats what I would think too
According to vette brake products, the oem were probably rated about 350 lbs whennew 40 years ago. I am thinking, since I dont autocross, just want a stiffer front end, I would be happy with the 460 lb ones. Does anyone have any experience with either the 460 or 550 lb front springs on an early 70's SBC?
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