BB front springs = what average ride height?
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
BB front springs = what average ride height?
As I posted the other day, I just bought this car a few days ago. I like the stance, but honestly it sits a little too low. Body roll is not good, either, IMHO... but I need to drive it a little more before scrapping stuff and spending more $$. LOL It actually rides well (not harsh), but roll and bump-steer is noticeable. I can't tell what springs are in there. It does have some relatively new-looking KYB shocks, sway bar end-links are new, as well as end link bushings. Granted, it has been 15 years since I've had an older C3 Vette... everything since is late-model sports car/sedan stuff... I don't expect it to handle like my ZR1.
However, the front fenders sit 26.5" off the ground. Tires are 245/45-18, so a little less than that under load. You can see in the attached pics, I can slide 1 finger in between the top of the tire and the outer fender lip.
Can those with the BB springs confirm your front ride height? I did a search and found 27 1/4, but I couldn't ascertain what tire size was being used in that application. Really don't want to pull it all apart and go with new BB-specific 550# springs, just to be back where I am as far as ride height goes, but I'd also like a little more gap between the tire and fender. This _looks_ good, but I'm more about function than form, when there is a choice between the two. Car will not be road-raced... its just going to be a fun, primarily in-town cruiser. So I'm not even going to consider coil-overs, etc. All that cool stuff would be lost on the purpose for this car.
Here's a couple of pics after her first bath:
However, the front fenders sit 26.5" off the ground. Tires are 245/45-18, so a little less than that under load. You can see in the attached pics, I can slide 1 finger in between the top of the tire and the outer fender lip.
Can those with the BB springs confirm your front ride height? I did a search and found 27 1/4, but I couldn't ascertain what tire size was being used in that application. Really don't want to pull it all apart and go with new BB-specific 550# springs, just to be back where I am as far as ride height goes, but I'd also like a little more gap between the tire and fender. This _looks_ good, but I'm more about function than form, when there is a choice between the two. Car will not be road-raced... its just going to be a fun, primarily in-town cruiser. So I'm not even going to consider coil-overs, etc. All that cool stuff would be lost on the purpose for this car.
Here's a couple of pics after her first bath:
#2
Team Owner
Years ago installed the VB&P 550# front springs with the 1 1/8th sway. They dropped the front end one inch. So I called them up and they had these rubber spacer rings that were about 3/4 inch thick. That actually raised it nearly 1 1/2 inches because of the ratio of lifting in the middle of the a-arm. So then I was a little pissed and made my own spring spacers to get it where I wanted it. It was something like 3/8th rubber made from industrial conveyor belt material and just cut it on a band saw at work.
I went to the coil over for adjustability. I know that you are not interested in. But you could add a spacer. Even a thicker front sway bar. Your tires are narrow and only 26.7 tall. The 255/45/18 are 27 inches.
I went to the coil over for adjustability. I know that you are not interested in. But you could add a spacer. Even a thicker front sway bar. Your tires are narrow and only 26.7 tall. The 255/45/18 are 27 inches.
#3
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Years ago installed the VB&P 550# front springs with the 1 1/8th sway. They dropped the front end one inch. So I called them up and they had these rubber spacer rings that were about 3/4 inch thick. That actually raised it nearly 1 1/2 inches because of the ratio of lifting in the middle of the a-arm. So then I was a little pissed and made my own spring spacers to get it where I wanted it. It was something like 3/8th rubber made from industrial conveyor belt material and just cut it on a band saw at work.
I went to the coil over for adjustability. I know that you are not interested in. But you could add a spacer. Even a thicker front sway bar. Your tires are narrow and only 26.7 tall. The 255/45/18 are 27 inches.
I went to the coil over for adjustability. I know that you are not interested in. But you could add a spacer. Even a thicker front sway bar. Your tires are narrow and only 26.7 tall. The 255/45/18 are 27 inches.
So, the 255/45-18 should fit on the front with no issues? I'm going to be changing wheels anyway... 18x8 with 4" BS. The ones on the front of the car now are 4.5" BS... which I think shoves the tire too far inward for my personal taste. If the wider/taller tire will work with no rubbing... yeah, I'd strongly consider that. That's a good idea.
Last edited by WA 2 FST; 11-21-2019 at 03:35 PM.
#4
Le Mans Master
Here's my tire and height on my 77 BB, iron heads, no ac.
I changed the springs after the swap to new BB springs. Honest truth...it actually sat lower. I put
the old SB springs back in.
Best of luck with the car, looks beautiful.
I changed the springs after the swap to new BB springs. Honest truth...it actually sat lower. I put
the old SB springs back in.
Best of luck with the car, looks beautiful.
Last edited by John 65; 11-21-2019 at 02:39 PM. Reason: Best of luck with the car, looks beautiful.
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WA 2 FST (11-21-2019)
#5
Team Owner
for what it's worth I just measured my front wheel well lip and it's at 27 inches both sides. For street driving I have 9 inch front wheels with 4.5 BS. I ran some taller 255 width which were 27 inch front tires once. On lock to lock they brushed the frame both directions and polished it. So when they wore out I went to 275 which are only 25.6 inches tall. They don't touch the frame.
Your 255/18's are 26 inches tall and they want you to use about a 9 inch rim.
Your 255/18's are 26 inches tall and they want you to use about a 9 inch rim.
#6
Safety Car
Thread Starter
for what it's worth I just measured my front wheel well lip and it's at 27 inches both sides. For street driving I have 9 inch front wheels with 4.5 BS. I ran some taller 255 width which were 27 inch front tires once. On lock to lock they brushed the frame both directions and polished it. So when they wore out I went to 275 which are only 25.6 inches tall. They don't touch the frame.
Your 255/18's are 26 inches tall and they want you to use about a 9 inch rim.
Your 255/18's are 26 inches tall and they want you to use about a 9 inch rim.
I'm thinking of trying a 255/45-18, which would be 27" before loaded... so probably 26.5" or so once installed and sitting under the weight of the front of a BB. I'll just be careful with lock-to-lock... not a big deal with the type of driving i will be doing with this car.
Sincerely appreciate the thoughts, advice, and help.
#7
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2011
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72 BB Iron heads, PS, alum rad, no A/C
27-3/4 on the PS, 27-7/8 on the DS
I'm going to drop it a little this winter. (17" rims would probably be almost perfect the way it is)
M
27-3/4 on the PS, 27-7/8 on the DS
I'm going to drop it a little this winter. (17" rims would probably be almost perfect the way it is)
M
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WA 2 FST (11-21-2019)
#8
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Thanks for the help so far.
I probably worded my ? poorly... since many of us run different size wheel/tire setups that will obviously affect overall height of the vehicle. Just looking at the pics posted, it appears I have less gap between the tire and fender than others. It leads me to believe my BB springs (is an original BB car) have either sagged over the life of the car, or the PO cut a spring, or a combination of both. My guess is if I installed some new Van Steel BB-specific springs, it would raise the front end a good .75+". Not sure I want/need to do that, but we'll see.
I'm going to be getting some new wheels/tires anyway, so won't make any decisions on spring choice until after that all arrives and is installed.
I probably worded my ? poorly... since many of us run different size wheel/tire setups that will obviously affect overall height of the vehicle. Just looking at the pics posted, it appears I have less gap between the tire and fender than others. It leads me to believe my BB springs (is an original BB car) have either sagged over the life of the car, or the PO cut a spring, or a combination of both. My guess is if I installed some new Van Steel BB-specific springs, it would raise the front end a good .75+". Not sure I want/need to do that, but we'll see.
I'm going to be getting some new wheels/tires anyway, so won't make any decisions on spring choice until after that all arrives and is installed.
#9
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You can get coil spring spacers in 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 from summit. Some are full circles, some horseshoe shaped and with a bit of screwing around you could install without having to completely disconnect the suspension
M
M
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WA 2 FST (11-21-2019)
#10
Safety Car
The measurement on my stock 69 427 measured the same as Mooser's pic is 27 3/8ths on both fronts with BFG 255/70R 15's. That's for a 69 427 4 speed with power steering and brakes and there are measurements somewhere in either the factory ASM or Chassis Service Manual with proper height tolerances + or - front and rear.
Last edited by CanadaGrant; 11-21-2019 at 07:19 PM.
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WA 2 FST (11-21-2019)
#11
Melting Slicks
Stock 71 BB w/original BB springs running 255/60R15's = 27.1" to the fender lip and just 26" to the top of the tires (loaded).
Can fit my entire hand in between at the top.
I'd think with the 18" tires/rims you'd get less sidewall deflection/squat when loaded so your tires, relative to stock 15" tires/rims, are "taller" when installed/loaded.
Can fit my entire hand in between at the top.
I'd think with the 18" tires/rims you'd get less sidewall deflection/squat when loaded so your tires, relative to stock 15" tires/rims, are "taller" when installed/loaded.
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WA 2 FST (11-22-2019)
#12
Team Owner
I worked on clients vettes, like A-Arm bushing replacement jobs. I actually hated stock long length spring removal compared to the shorter and stiffer 460 and 550 pound. The short ones fall out before the A-arm is all the way down. The long ones are still under pressure even prying down on the A-arms. So I learned to leave the shock bolted to the bottom as a safety idea and pry the spring sideways and pop it out.
#13
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Stock 71 BB w/original BB springs running 255/60R15's = 27.1" to the fender lip and just 26" to the top of the tires (loaded).
Can fit my entire hand in between at the top.
I'd think with the 18" tires/rims you'd get less sidewall deflection/squat when loaded so your tires, relative to stock 15" tires/rims, are "taller" when installed/loaded.
Can fit my entire hand in between at the top.
I'd think with the 18" tires/rims you'd get less sidewall deflection/squat when loaded so your tires, relative to stock 15" tires/rims, are "taller" when installed/loaded.
Your point about the current 245/45-18s having less sidewall deflection is absolutely correct as it relates to a 15" wheel/tire combo with a taller sidewall. I only lose about 1/2" of rolling diameter when loaded.
#14
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I worked on clients vettes, like A-Arm bushing replacement jobs. I actually hated stock long length spring removal compared to the shorter and stiffer 460 and 550 pound. The short ones fall out before the A-arm is all the way down. The long ones are still under pressure even prying down on the A-arms. So I learned to leave the shock bolted to the bottom as a safety idea and pry the spring sideways and pop it out.
I pulled the shocks, went in with the internal spring compressor (lower jaws only) and could compress the spring enough to take the spacer out (it was a full ring so needed to be cut) without removing anything else. I would think you could install the thinner horseshoe style spacers the same way, while keeping fingers WAY far away
I'm going to pull the springs out this winter to shorten a little but I've been removing the arm from the frame rather than the ball-joint. rod down through the shock hole for added safety
M
#15
Safety Car
Thread Starter
I am going to install the beefier Van Steel front sway bar, sway bar mount bushings, end links and end link bushings... then will ditch the KYBs for some Bilsteins or non-adjustable QA1s, if front body roll isn't better/good enough before resorting to a new set of 550# BB springs. I don't know why mine sits lower (in relation to the tire) than most. Again, it looks good (to me at least), but if when I install the new wheels (Fikse 701) and tires they start rubbing b/c it sits too low, then I'm going to have to lift this thing up to a more normal ride height.
I saw some other types of spacers/stabilizers that fit in between individual coils... look very easy to install, basically just jacking up the car to let the coil decompress some. Not sure if those would work or not, as a short-term solution.
Last edited by WA 2 FST; 11-22-2019 at 09:34 PM.
#16
Drifting
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I have used those coil spacers on my Jeeps in the past but did not like them. Distorts the spring coil and made the ride stiffer. Did raise the vehicle about 1/2 inch. Take a look at the coils and see if the individual coils look evenly spaced. One of my car's previous owners had heated up my front springs and changed their shape to lower the car. Some of the coils were actually hitting each other.
Redvette2
Redvette2
#17
Safety Car
Thread Starter
I have used those coil spacers on my Jeeps in the past but did not like them. Distorts the spring coil and made the ride stiffer. Did raise the vehicle about 1/2 inch. Take a look at the coils and see if the individual coils look evenly spaced. One of my car's previous owners had heated up my front springs and changed their shape to lower the car. Some of the coils were actually hitting each other.
Redvette2
Redvette2
I'm going to install new wheels/tires and just see how it does. As long as it doesn't bottom out and have fender-to-tire clearance issues on cornering, it will be fine. That is honestly my biggest concern.
#18
Dr. Detroit
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Glad to hear it can be done this way... seems like a much easier way to do it, honestly.
I am going to install the beefier Van Steel front sway bar, sway bar mount bushings, end links and end link bushings... then will ditch the KYBs for some Bilsteins or non-adjustable QA1s, if front body roll isn't better/good enough before resorting to a new set of 550# BB springs. I don't know why mine sits lower (in relation to the tire) than most. Again, it looks good (to me at least), but if when I install the new wheels (Fikse 701) and tires they start rubbing b/c it sits too low, then I'm going to have to lift this thing up to a more normal ride height.
I saw some other types of spacers/stabilizers that fit in between individual coils... look very easy to install, basically just jacking up the car to let the coil decompress some. Not sure if those would work or not, as a short-term solution.
I am going to install the beefier Van Steel front sway bar, sway bar mount bushings, end links and end link bushings... then will ditch the KYBs for some Bilsteins or non-adjustable QA1s, if front body roll isn't better/good enough before resorting to a new set of 550# BB springs. I don't know why mine sits lower (in relation to the tire) than most. Again, it looks good (to me at least), but if when I install the new wheels (Fikse 701) and tires they start rubbing b/c it sits too low, then I'm going to have to lift this thing up to a more normal ride height.
I saw some other types of spacers/stabilizers that fit in between individual coils... look very easy to install, basically just jacking up the car to let the coil decompress some. Not sure if those would work or not, as a short-term solution.
Jebby
#20
Safety Car
Thread Starter
I've never run spring spacers on any car I've owned, so I honestly don't like the idea at all.... just get the spring with the correct ride height. LOL