Hi everyone, I'm toying with the idea of lowering my Skylark a bit and saw this set of springs on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0396055227&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT Has anyone used this brand of springs before? It is supposed to lower the car 1 inch in the rear and 1.3 inches in the front. I would also be interested to know if I would have any problems with rubbing or turning with these springs and my wheel/tire combo of 15x7 with 245x60x15s in the front and 15x8 with 275x60x15s in the rear (both with 4.5 inch backspacing). Lastly, if anyone has lowered their Skylarks/GSs I would love to see some pics.
Chris, I'm with ya on this.:TU: 5k for full airbags are never gonna happen. My Riv seems to sit a good 3 inches above what the rear looks.uzzled: I was gonna cut a coil or 2 but my friend has been trying to change my mind. I may ignore him as his advice is to heat them upou: . (I don't know much, but I know that 'aint good) :idea2:
V8Sky, Eibach is one of the top coil spring companies out there. VERY popular with the imports and they don't make bad parts. That looks like a great price for a lowering spring package. As for tire clearance, I own a lowered 67 Skylark. My wheel wells are a lot smaller than yours, and I run a staggered 17x7 and 17x8 wheel setup with 205/50/r17 fronts and 255/45/r17 rears with no issues. Perhaps someone else can chime in about your whel and tire set up on a lowered Skylark. I posted a pic of my 67 with the 17's, lowered 1 inch with Hotchkis Ground Zero Springs front and rear. POPPALUV66, DO NOT heat up the coil springs!!! It makes them brittle. Cutting coils it acceptable but installing proper lowering springs is your best bet, and you can drive around without worrying if your springs are going to break or shift out of the perches because they don't fit correctly. My dad always told me that you're going to pay for it one way or the other. Do it right the first time and take the hit in the wallet, or do it right the second time after you have it towed back to the house ( I learned that lesson about U-joints when I sling a bearing cap @100mph because I didn't feel like changing the front u-joint. The $15 U-joint swap cost me $150 for the tow and a new driveshaft) -Josh
I have them on my 71 now,it gives a great stance.The only problem i have is i have a large sway bar and the tire rub on it. I did all the work at the same time with tires so i don't think it was the spring that caused the problem.That sway bar is huge.I'll see about some pic if it ever stops raining.
>>I'm assuming you are referring to the front sway bar? I actually have a 1.25 inch front sway bar coming in for my car so this may concern me. Do your front tires rub when you make any turn or just turning the wheels all the way in one direction? I would love to see a pic when you get the chance.
>>Yeah, there is no way I will ever be able to get airbags so lowering springs are the way I will go. Just a bit worried about installing both the springs and new larger front sway bar = tire rub.
I wonder what the difference is between the 'Larks and my Riv????? It seems to me the front suspension would be the same ie. a-arms, ball joints et al. ('cept spring dampening characteristics for a heavier car) .o No: I mean even the wheel wells look alike. Anyone know the diff????:idea2: Sorry for the hijack Chris-hopefully it's all the same.:TU: I will post this on the boats section as well in case.:Smarty: BTW Do you REALLY NEED to spend that much $ for springs??? :eek2:
>>It may be similar between Larks and Rivs, just curious to see pics of Larks with the lowered look as it would more closely match my car. I haven't shopped around yet for other brands of lowering springs - these that I saw on ebay looked like good quality. Will have to shop around a bit more to see what else is also out there.
I lowered my car a few months back...didn't notice any major performance/handling issue. Get compliments on the look a lot though!
Tim (my little bro) has bags in the back with a 4 link and drop spindles in the front....rides like a vette... (good or bad) 17" Hot Wheels
Lowering the vehicle lowers the center of gravity, making it more stable in the turns, but sway bars will make the most difference. I like the look of a lowered car, but not where the crossmember is 1 inch off the ground (been there, done that). I have 1 1/4 front sway bar and 1 1/8 rear sway bar on my skylark, and it corners like a dream. None of that "old car roll", like the fenders are going to scrape the ground when your turn. As for the front tires rubbing the sway bar, mine does it too. It only rubs when the wheels are turned all the way left or right, and it's only the edge of the tread. -Josh
I'll tell you about the only rig I've been around where someone heated the springs to lower it. I use to have a beater 70? Chevy truck that a guy had done that to. The springs were so soft that cornering was like trying to push a wet noodle through a corner. You could lean across the seat and make the truck lean (I was a lot thinner back then too). I'm sure the same method could have gotten better results, but that told me that you should just spend a few bucks and get the right springs, or leave well enough alone.
Don't heat the springs! I have the Eibach's for my 67 and getting ready to install them. They are one of the best makers of springs and are used a lot by the pro touring crowd. Check out pro-touring.com. Tons of information. You could also go with SPC springs from SCANDC.com Call and ask to speak with Marcus. This dude knows all there is to know about getting our cars to handle and he even owned a couple of GS' back in the day. Tom
Fill the tank with gas, and the trunk full of mulch, and I'm "lowered" :laugh: Yep, SCANDC.com should be able to set you up. ElectraJim
I just bought new Adjustable Upper Control Arms, tall upper and lower ball joints from them and will be adding the eibach lowering springs. Combine that with a monte carlo ss box and this will handle like a modern day vette. I also am adding LS1 disc brakes to the front and rear of my gs. I am also considering adding a hydroboost setup as well. Anyone needs details, let me know. Tom
