Hot Rods Early Corvette drag racing Tips and tricks

This is good stuff!


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It is only 53-54 uprights that will work to lower.

 

Hi Guys, Jim's picture shows Corvette upright vs 1953-54 passenger car.
1953-62 Corvette are forged # 3733449 left, 3733450 right
1949-52 passenger # 3687651 left, 3687652 right
1953-54 passenger # 3703785 left, 3703786 right
1953-54 passenger are commonly used to lower 1949-52 passenger (and I now know Corvette), I don't know how a 1949-52 passenger car upright compares to Corvette?

Cheers,
Arnold.

 

Thanks everyone. Does anyone make lighter coil springs?

 

Check the Moroso Trick Spring chart

 

@jimdillon,

I knew that it was the upright but called it the spindle. Thanx for pointing that out.

Can you give the dimension shown?

 

It's just my opinion but I think cutting one full coil is a lot.

 

Bruce I will measure it tomorrow..

 

When you cut the coil spring, the spring rate will increase.

 

Not always. I've done some cars where I cut 1 coil, bolted it back together and no change at all. And also cut a second coil out with the same outcome, only to cut one more and have the car sit way too low. So now if I'm cutting coils, I start with one and than 1/2 coil at a time if needed.

 

One of the things Zora Duntov was most proud of was the variable rate coil spring. It was introduced in Corvette for the 1964 model year. I do not know if or when it may have been used in other Chevy or GM lines. That said '64 and later spring rates will be affected by cutting coils. The spring rate of earlier springs aren't likely to be affected.

 

Doug, In my experience cutting a full coil is more that most will need. I usually
cut 1 half of a coil and check height. Unfortunately there is no chart to guide
this process.
Dave

 

Bruce I measured centerline to centerline and the black one measures 4 3/8" and the silver measures 3 5/8", for a difference of 3/4". Just for the record I am not sure what year the black support is from as my knowledge on lowering these cars is extremely limited. If I have any knowledge, it is in the other direction with raising the stance.

I have heard of guys cutting one coil and having the car drop up to 2" but that may be the exception and not the rule. The coils in my red car I got from a guy in Montreal. He complained about how someone put some crazy coils in his 62 that raised it considerably. I asked him if he wanted to sell them and he shipped them to me free of charge. They got a good home.

 

I've cut coils but never on a C1, always started with one coil which equaled around 2" on most cars. If cutting with a torch, put the spring in a bucket of water with just the portion to cut off sticking out.

I know from paperwork my 58 Vette had new GM 1953 BelAir front springs which lifted it about an inch. Also had an extra leaf in back and overload shocks. (built in the 70's) Picture is the day I got it.

 

These are the ones from fatman. They are a 2 inch drop for a passenger car. Would they work or would that be too much.?


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Never mind. It looks mine they would work according to their website


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