<VV> Ride Height

[Kent Sullivan]

Ray--why do you say the repro springs are discontinued? I just talked with
Cal about what he was offering less than a year ago, to help straighten out
some gaps. The vendor he was using was and is going strong, as far as I
know.

For a street car, I strongly recommend NOT cutting stock (or other springs).
You will get the ride height but man oh man will the ride be stiff,
especially in the front where the Corvair does not have much weight. A much
better solution (again, for a street car) is to purchase the repro HD
springs.

Many, many things add up to the final stiffness you will feel:
* Springs
* Shocks
* Anti-sway bar
* Tires (sidewall height mainly)

I really like the stance that my coupe has:
http://www.corvairkid.com/images/101376L113039_02.jpg

This car has repro HD springs, Koni shocks, Bob Coffin's anti-swaybar kit,
and 15" tires (205/50-15s in front on 7" wide rims and 225/50-15s on 8" wide
rims in the rear). It is quite stiff for a street car but not obnoxiously so
since I put the Konis place of the KYBs.

--Kent
-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Ray Rodriguez
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 8:59 AM
To: Rick & Janet Norris; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re: <VV> Ride Height

Rick,

     To my knowledge Clarks coil springs are all discontinued for my car (65
and 66 coupes).  The only ones they have available are NOS front stock,
which I dont need.

     Where do you guys get springs now? I'm more interested in lower ride
height and stiffer springs, but will cut standard ones if neccesary for my
500 coupe.  The rears on that car need replacing, they are badly sagged, the
front still rides too high, so I can cut the existing ones.

Ray

     Thanks!
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick & Janet Norris" <rickjanet at charter.net>
To: "Ray Rodriguez" <reray at echoes.net>; <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2006 10:10 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> Ride Height


> Ray,
> I usually cut the springs to lower the car but I have used the shorter 
> springs offered by Corvair Motorsports which is no longer in business. He 
> (Rick Stansbury) offered springs in several lengths.
> You can experiment with some old springs by cutting them and see what you 
> get. One thing about new springs. Run them for awhile before cutting. They

> will sag a little as they take a "set" so to speak.
>
> I always cut the top of the spring. The first coil is flat so it won't 
> lower it much. Cutting the second one will but it will vary with the 
> spring. I don't reflatten the top coil either.
>
> Clarks HD springs will lower the car but it still varies. I put a set on 
> my 69 Vert and was pleased with the result. I did not notice a harsher 
> ride either but, at the same time I installed a set of KYB GasAdjust 
> shocks.
>
> Rick Norris
>
>
>>I agree that the factory ride height is too high, what is the best method 
>>of lowering a late model vair if you cant find a set of the sport springs?

>>Be specific please (i.e. if cutting, how much to cut).
>>
>> Ray Rodriguez III
>> CORSA
>> 66 500 coupe/PG
>> 65 Corsa 140/4
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Yeow!
>>> With that measurement you would have what is called an "agricultural 
>>> stance".
>>> Think farm tractor.
>>> I believe the dimension is from the floor (or ground) to the top of the 
>>> wheel opening. As stated in Clarks catalog the factory ride height is a 
>>> bit too high.
>>> I lower all my Vairs to suit my needs anyway.
>>>
>>> Praise the lowered!
>>>
>>> Rick Norris 

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