<VV> Re: Early Model springs

[Bill Elliott]

Welcome to VV!

I have "Live at the Roxy" in the player right now....

I don't spend a lot of time with earlies, but the first things I would do would be:

1. Make sure bearings, balljoints, tierods, & bushings are in good shape and alignment is correct.
2. Add a poly pitman arm bushing
3. Add quality shocks (Bilsteins, Carerra, Koni, or KYB)
4. Add 14 or 15" rims and sticky tires (V-rated or better). 
5. Add fast steering arms (and realign) or box&arms
6. Add a '64 rear suspension with the transverse spring.
7. Add a front anti sway bar.
8. Then (and only them) consider cutting or changing springs. (for the street, 1 full coil is all you'll want to 
cut)

I like my street Vairs lightly sprung (even HD springs are still pretty soft) and heavily damped. My wife's '67 
convertible with stock springs, sticky tires, and Koni's is wonderful to drive... doesn't handle as well as my 
Corsa, but it's a lot more comfortable...

Bill Elliott
Urbana, MD

On Wed, 24 Mar 2004 15:25:38 EST, Kevmcclain@aol.com wrote:

>Hi everyone,
>    This is my first post on Virtual Vairs. I have a '61 two door monza. I 
>would like to improve the handling. I am considering new shocks and heavy duty 
>springs from Clarks. I have heard cutting the springs will also help. Is this 
>so? If so, how many turns should I cut out? Hey Geoff, I'm glad I'm not the 
>only Corvair owner who listens to Social Distortion too loud.         -Kevin 
>McClain
>_______________________________________________