C3 Front Springs

[Tom L.]

I've recently purchased front springs from one of the familiar Corvette parts suppliers for a 1970 big block. The new springs are 2 1/2 inches shorter than the originals and do not have the tighter coil at one end. I asked the supplier about this and they told me that the new design was for "installation safety" and that the new spring will have the same ride hight and spring rate.

I'd like to verify the springs before I put them in because I won't know if they're wrong until I put the motor and body back on the frame some time from now. Has anyone used these? Thanks.

[Richard F.]

Re: C3 Front Springs

There is no way those new springs will have the same ride height unless they are much stiffer, and have much reduced preload. Are you sure the new ones are not F41's? Given the same diameter of wire, more coils always means softer.

[Alan Drake]

Re: C3 Front Springs

Little hard to tell, but the new seem to have a constant spacing in the coil, as opposed to variable spacing on original. Think all should be variable, but have not seen the F41 style.

[Barry Chappell]

Re: C3 Front Springs

Many years ago I replaced my front and rear springs with F41 springs.
The front F41 springs look very much like the new one in your picture. My original springs looked like your old spring.

Point of interest, my original springs were getting weak and the front was down about an inch. The new F41 springs were at least 2+ inches shorter than the old tired springs. With the new F41 springs installed, the ride height was restored back to the correct height.

Contrary to some beliefs, the F41 springs are not harsh. If you install the F41 shocks, then your teeth will rattle.
I've been very pleased with the F41 spring/sway bar combination.

I recently replaced the shocks with the Delco "road sensing", or whatever name, type shock and have been pleased with that as well. It improved the ride and handling.

I had fairly soft shocks on the rear and that contributed to wheel hop under wheel spin conditions. The regular Delco shocks eliminated that completely.

I do realize this is NCRS and my setup is in conflict with that, I just wanted to pass along some information.
Thanks
Barry

[Tom L.]

Thanks *NM*