[locomotivebreath]

This is the front end now with 2 in drop springs from jegs . That’s about how it sat when I took the car apart . I haven’t lowered the rear yet by the way . Jegs brand , who ever winds theirs , 2 inch drop 500lb/in spring set was on sale for $269 for all 4 .

[694.1]

500 ft/lbs will be brutal.

[locomotivebreath]

Ya think so ? The stock springs are around 330lbs fro memory and although comfortable , everything I’ve owned from the 60/70’s seemed under spring and floated . All the suspension sights I’ve been on listed springs from 550 to even 650 on some kits ! I thought a 500lb rate sounded like a good compromise - of course I base this off of nothing , I’m in uncharted territory .

[Greg Reid]

I don't know about that but the front end ride height sure looks better now.

[locomotivebreath]

Thanks Greg , I don’t even think it looks lowered or slammed whatever it’s called . Looks normal to me . Dropping the rear to match should give me what I want , just have to wait and see if it knocks a filling out lol

[Formulajones]

It depends on how tall that front tire is for me to judge, but the top of that tire is already hiding in the wheel well and the picture gives the impression that the lower valance is pretty close to the ground. I hope that's not a 26" tire.

If it is I'd say the front end is pretty low....?? It doesn't look like it would do well driving the streets of Arizona lol but pics can be deceiving. A measurement from the rocker would be helpful and give an idea.

[locomotivebreath]

Yes it’s a 26” tall tire p215/65r15 . I haven’t been up to see it in person yet . If it doesn’t work out , the next call will be to coil spring specialties , I’ll pretty darn well know what I’ll need the 3rd time around lol . They were several weeks out and I’m trying to wrap this up and just get it home . The jegs sale was hard to beat and in stock . She’s been at the shop for 2 years and I’m ready to wrap things up ! Atleast at the fender well , it only seems maybe an 1” shorter than stock when it had F70’s on it that are about 1/4” taller . Btw , what’s wrong with Arizona roads ? I thought rough roads were from salt and freeze damage ?

[Formulajones]

Just obstacles is what I was referring to. Mountain terrain, lots of uneven driveway entrances at weird angles and they really like their speed bumps on steroids out here. Low hung cars are a real pain to drive around, you have to constantly be aware.

When I lived in Ohio, things were pretty flat and was never a big deal.

[Greg Reid]

I can see what you mean on the second pic where the rear is jacked up. Looks much lower than on the first pic.
I've had slight rubbing issues on just about every decent sized tire I've had on the front of mine.

[locomotivebreath]

As high as the front was before , it sat level . I don’t know why he didn’t put the rear springs from the new set in while he had it on the lift . Those are 275/60 coopers on the rear .

[Carousel72TRed]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

I can see what you mean on the second pic where the rear is jacked up. Looks much lower than on the first pic.
I've had slight rubbing issues on just about every decent sized tire I've had on the front of mine.

For me BF Goodrich P225 60R14’s on all 4’s and even when my front end was sitting lower than it is now have worked out pretty good.
A picture from 1978 and that’s when it had AC cast iron intake and the original rally wheels on front and the Cragar slots I just put on the rear. And the front has a Lemans grille on the front because I was stupid enough to let somebody borrow my car and it got in a fender bender and the body shop couldn’t find a GTO bumper back then.


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[Greg Reid]

I think a new pair of shocks on the front of mine might improve the condition. I know that ride height is not the purpose of shocks but I never did change them. They are probably 30-40 years old. My rubbing always occurs in a 'diving' turn. Shocks might firm that up.

[locomotivebreath]

I’m thinking that backspacing is as important on these cars as tire width & height . A p215/65 is just not that big , tall or wide . The factory G78’s were close to 27 inches tall ! The factory rallys had much deeper backspace than a lot of off the shelf wheels . My Repro rally II are only 4 inch bS . Doesn’t rub static lock to lock . Wheels & springs were the least of my concern with this resto ! Lol something else that I learned , it’s harder to stay factory than I thought and I started out with a complete car that was pretty darn stock . I was missing the factory wheels and air cleaner ,and the rear is a 3.90 N unit , it came with 3.55 . Now I have ps , pb , ram air pans , vintage air , hurst competition + , 15 inch rallys and smoked glass and led headlights .

[locomotivebreath]

I was up to see the car today and measured the front at the rocker - 8 inches . If I wanted to pick , mayb I’d like an inch higher but it has a beautiful stance . Headers would drag for sure , and they did stock but I have manifold now . My crackhead Civic seldom drags its nose and it’s much lower .

[locomotivebreath]

Got my new stance , front tires don’t rub . I dig it . It’s almost done !

[Greg Reid]

Yeah, looks good!

[Carousel72TRed]

I measured the height from the ground to the top of the wheel moulding and there is a 3” difference 28” front vs. 25” rear and I talked to our resident suspension specialist who did all the suspension work on my car and he said if you want to cut the front coils you have to do it one whole coil at a time (no quarter or halves) and as a general rule of thumb cutting 1 coil should lower the front end by 2” which would get me in the ball park. Also if you have spacers you have to first take the spacers out and see how much that lowers the front end before cutting your coils.


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[Formulajones]

Did he happen to mention when you cut coils it also increases the spring rates?

My experience with that has never been great. Starts riding like a dump truck pretty quick.

[Carousel72TRed]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

Did he happen to mention when you cut coils it also increases the spring rates?

My experience with that has never been great. Starts riding like a dump truck pretty quick.

Thank you Formula Jones. I will talk to Jerry (resident suspension specialist) about that and I do have a pair of coil springs from a GTO I bought for parts back in the 80’s besides maybe having Coil Spring Specialties making me a new pair. 3 options to consider.


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