Alright guys I am looking for some opinions here. I installed a Hotchkis TVS in my GS. I removed the AC and moved the battery to the trunk. The car is sitting about 1" higher in front (measured from gound to fender lip). I am running 28" tires in the rear and 27" tires up front. In your opinion, should I install spring spacers in back to raise it up about 1-1.5" or cut the front springs to lower it. I like the way the car sits in the rear but I have long tube headers and a deep tranny pan that I dont want bouncing off the ground. Suspension is pretty stiff. Just looking to see what you guys think.
the front is supposed to be sit a little higher thatn the rear. personally, i would cut about 1/3 of a coil off the front. then again, it is about the look u want.
I like it just the way it is. If you lower the front any, you'll run the risk of damaging your headers and tranny pan. I flattened a pair of Hooker Super Comps by lowering my car, ad I don't recommend it. -Josh
It looks good just like it is but I favor the slightly nose down attitude. I would leave the front as is and raise the rear 1.5" I'm in agreement with the rest about avoiding damage to the headers and oil pan.
A direct side view photo with the wheels turned straight ahead would help get a better view of it but I like the front down slightly more than the rear so it would be a toss up whether to lower the front or raise the rear a little. If header clearance is a problem then I'd go with raising the rear. It's certainly a lot easier than lowering the front. Spring spacers in the rear coils are a no-no IMO but you can put spacers underneath the springs and cut them to whatever height you desire.
That car looks amazing, I love the gta rims on it, I also say keep it the way it is. I will have to raise my car, some idiot lowered it before I got it and now I'll need to repair my headers =[
I installed 1967 El Camino front springs on my 67 GS. They are Moog #6204. The stance is 26" from ground to top of fender well and about 10" from ground to front of rocker panel. They were like moroso drag springs and really allowed front end lift and planted the rear tires. . I am planing to try some Moog 5230 springs and get my front a little lower. If you want to try my 6204's, let me know.
I would drop the front a bit. I like how just a little bit of the top of the rear tire is tucked under the fender. I'd try to match that look in the front.
I appreciate the positive input guys. :TU: I've put a lot of time into the car and I am still debating on the stance. I am leaning more towards raising the rear with metal spacers beneath the springs, if I decide to change anything at all that is. Dimensionally, the rear is 26" from ground to wheel opening and the front is 27" from ground to wheel opening. I believe factory was almost a 2.5" difference between rear and front heights. I think the tire size difference (27" vs 28" might be throwing things off). My concern about raising the rear is upsetting the suspension geometry (wheel-hop) etc.
I think would leave as is if mine. The raised rear would not look better than it is now. If headers and pan are good then drive on. The only difference that the raised rear is will make the car faster ... Because you are always going down hill then !! uzzled: Thanx Dave
If you look at my avatar pic, my Skylark sat just like yours does. Here is is with a 2" drop up front from almost the same angle as my avatar. I'll try and get a full side shot later.
How do you like the Hotchkis kit? I have a chance to buy a new one from a guy here locally for a good price...
I bought a set of the machined Alum disk type spacers off ebay and put them on top of my springs in the rear. It really made a difference in the way the car sets. now my spacing between the fender lip and the tire is about even front / rear but still has a slightly nose down attitude. Ive had many positive comments about it.
UB Machine makes all kind of spacers for springs, including spring jacks. I'm picking up my upper and lower control arms from them. Keep them in mind should you nip a coil shorter than you like. Just do a search on UB Machine.
I have not a chance to drive the car yet but the parts themselves are top notch high quality pieces. The rear suspension components are what impressed me mostly. The machined uppers are impressive.
