blktransam

Hey Guys!

I'm wanting to adjust the ride height on my '87 TA, what's the most inexpensive way to do that? Are coilover shocks an option?

Thanks!

plum92_camaro

I used to speak against it but after learning more I've even done it myself to lower the front of my 69 camaro. Cutting springs is the least expensive way to lower your car if you do it right. there are a few rules to know to do it safely. after all, its metal working, not rocket science or magic.
1. are you qualified to safely remove and install coil springs? these can be very dangerous, even deadly.
2. Do NOT get the springs hot when you cut them. Absolutely NO torch. I used an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and cut just a tiny bit at a time keeping one hand next to the cut to feel for heat. Heating the springs can make them brittle and they will crack/break.
3. Cut a 1/4 coil at a time until it sits where you want. unless you know exactly how much to cut off. Don't forget to roll the car to settle the suspension when you get everything put back together. Maybe even drive it for a week to see how things settle. this is a lot of time and effort removing and installing the springs possibly more than once but it is the cheapest.
4. Make sure you index the springs properly. IIRC, it's the bottom of the spring that needs to be fit into the a-arm properly.

I wouldn't use coil-overs. They put the load of the car on the strut towers which were not designed to support the weight of the car especially under the loads of cornering. I would and do use weight jacks in my car for adjustable ride height and the ability to select my desired spring rates.

blktransam

What about adjustable shocks? Are those an option? I don't think I would cut the springs....

plum92_camaro

springs control ride height. struts/shocks control the springs.

The adjustment on adjustable struts/shocks is the valving for how quickly the struts/shocks can move. Single adjustables are for the rebound (extending) only. double adjustable is for compression and rebound.

A high pressure gas shock might raise your car 1/2" or so but struts shocks don't control ride height.

If you want to change your ride height in the front you have three options.
1. change or cut the springs.
2. extended ball joints
3. remove spring isolator (rubber piece between spring and member/frame that helps with noise transfer into the car to keep your ride quieter). Since the car is 25+ years old they are probably pretty smushed so you may get 1/2" or less out of removing them.
For the rear there are only two options
1. change or cut springs (may require adjustable pan hard bar to center rear end)
2. remove spring isolators. Might get 1/2" if your lucky but from what i hear the absence of the rear isolators is much more noticeable audibly than the front because in the rear the noise transfers directly into the cabin while the front has further to go.

I personally have no front isolators with my weight jacks and no complaints about road noise but i also have full dyanmat plus new OER rubber sound deadener on top of that.

blktransam

What do you need to cut springs?

plum92_camaro

i used an 4.5" angle grinder with a cut off wheel. Remember, tiny bits at a time so the metal doesn't get hot. Can you safely remove and install the coils springs?

blktransam

I have no idea, LOL.