C2 coupe ride height

[Richard S.]

I would appreciate if someone could provide me with a procedure for adjusting my 63 coupe's ride height. I had replaced my rear springs some time back but now need to adjust the car's ride height.

Thanks
Rich

[Michael B.]

[Bob R.]

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Richard, short of changing the outboard spring bolt length I don't think there is another way to change the height. A stock GM spring should be all that's needed to set the height, what type of spring did you install?

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Tim. Thanks. I was hoping there was some other technique. Suppose to be original type purchased from LIC few years back. I thought I had seen an article in the Corvette restorer magazine several years back that provided some insight but unable to find same. I am giving some thought to work I would like to do on my vett when the weather gets bit warmer here in NJ.
Mike, Bob and Tim thanks for the feedback greatly appreciated.

Rich

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Rich,

There is no other easy way to change ride height other that changing the end bolts. The hard way is to use a different spring.

Gary

[Matthias S.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Eaton Springs Detroit offers lower leaf springs, -1" or -2". I have -1", the height is perfect.

Matthias

[Gary B.]

[Douglas L.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Richard,

The type of shock might play a role in the ride height. Gas shocks when installed have upward pressure. That is the way they are designed. Hydraulic shocks do not. Cars in 1963 were designed for hydraulic shocks. Just a thought.

[Matthias S.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

I don't think it makes much difference. My 66 also has Bilstein gas shocks.

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Tim
Do you know any source of suitable outboard spring bolts of various lengths. If I try this approach I would need to obtain several lengths of suitable bolts to best fit the ride heights.
Rich

[Richard S.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Thanks Gary for that information.
Rich

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Tim
Do you know any source of suitable outboard spring bolts of various lengths. If I try this approach I would need to obtain several lengths of suitable bolts to best fit the ride heights.
Rich

Measure the "D" dimension as explained in your 1963 Corvette Shop manual and 1963 AIM. If it's high you'll need longer bolts by about the amount the "D" dimension is above spec.

Off hand I don't know where you can find a proper bolt, but once you know the proper length suggest you do a Web search for an "industrial strength" hardware/fastener supplier for the proper size, configuration, grade, and finish.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

I don't think it makes much difference. My 66 also has Bilstein gas shocks.

From my experience with deCarbon type high pressure gas shocks, it takes about 10-20 pounds of force to compress them halfway. The C2 front suspension design yields a wheel rate of only about one-third the spring rate, so the gas pressure force has little noticeable affect on ride height.

At the rear the C2/3 wheel rate is about 75 percent of the spring rate, so there is a slight, but still almost insignificant increase in ride height.

On any example if the ride height is somewhere near the middle of the OE range with conventional shocks, Bilsteins are unlikely to knock ride height out of the acceptable range.

Duke

[Mark E.]

Re: C2 coupe ride height

Be careful with longer spring bolts. They reduce the spring's clearance with the tire's inner sidewall and the ground. Be sure to account for tire flex. This issue is more critical with wider or lower profile tires.

Longer bolts may also affect suspension geometry, as Duke points out. Using a spring of proper rating and arch is the best approach; but buyer beware- I've learned some aftermarket composite springs just don't fit or feel right.