lowering a 66 vette

[grampsc6]

looking for ideas on lowering my 66 coupe.

 

[Patrick Brennan]

I lowered my 66 convertible 2 inches front and rear in the following way:
Front, I used 79 gymkanna front coil springs and hacksawed off one full coil.
Rear replaced the spring bolts with grade 8 bolts 8 inches long and replaced the rear spring with a mono-leaf composite. I also used washers on the bolts with nilock nuts and deleted the rubber cushions.

 

[grampsc6]

Thanks Patrick I will cut my existing springs and go with the 8" bolts and leave rear spring as is and give this a try first as I only drive it 500/600 miles yearly. Do you know if there are any videos showing how to do these mods.

 

[Patrick Brennan]

I did those modifications back in the early 80"s. I don't know of any specific videos. There must be some on u-tube about remove and replace front and rear springs on a c2 or c3.

 

[grampsc6]

With cut springs did you notice any difference in ride? Car would need an alignment correct?

 

[XFIRE82]

Instead of all the work to cut the coils, back in the day the boys would just use a torch and heat a spot on the coil and let the weight of the car sag it down to the desired height.

 

[Patrick Brennan]

With cut springs did you notice any difference in ride? Car would need an alignment correct?

Yes cutting a coil off increases the spring rate so the ride is slightly stiffened. And yes the lowering will effect camber, caster and toe in so an alignment is in order. I do not recommend heating the spring as suggested in another post, it is harder to get equal results side to side and can ruin the spring.