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Why does my car set so high?

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Old Jan 19, 2018 | 06:37 PM
  #1  
tater's Avatar
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From: Altus, Oklahoma
Car: Dad's 87 Bird (Org Owner)
Engine: Vortec 350 Crate Motor
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi
Why does my car set so high?

It's an '87 Firebird V6 with a 350 conversion. Installed 3rd Gen STOCK WS6 springs (all 4) and WS6 sway bars, front and rear. Stock tire size for the Formula wheels (245/50/16).

Why does my car set so high?-bird.jpg
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Old Jan 19, 2018 | 06:39 PM
  #2  
JamesC's Avatar
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: Why does my car set so high?

Are the front springs indexed correctly?

JamesC
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Old Jan 21, 2018 | 09:57 AM
  #3  
turboguard's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 137
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From: Upstate SC
Car: 1985 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: 700R4 Automagic
Axle/Gears: No clue
Re: Why does my car set so high?

Looks fine to me. Remember, these cars came from a time where stock height was practical and not SMASHED N SLAMMED to where you have trouble getting over speed bumps.
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Old Jan 22, 2018 | 02:58 PM
  #4  
yevgenievich's Avatar
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From: college station, texas
Car: numerous
Engine: ls1, others
Transmission: t56, others
Axle/Gears: 3.23 7.6"
Re: Why does my car set so high?

here is a picture of mine when it was all stock. looks similar. Other than making sure springs are indexed, it might settle a little as well.
Attached Thumbnails Why does my car set so high?-img_1538.jpg  
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Old Jan 22, 2018 | 03:03 PM
  #5  
dmccain's Avatar
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From: South Ms
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: Why does my car set so high?

One reason is because it doesn't have ground effects. Ride height looks to be about right.
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Old Jan 22, 2018 | 04:26 PM
  #6  
LiveIt!'s Avatar
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From: Florida
Car: 1988 Camaro Sport Coupe
Engine: The All-Powerful 2.8l!! :P
Re: Why does my car set so high?

Just had all new shocks struts and springs put in my car, made a huge difference in ride height, I was shocked at first too!!
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Old Jan 23, 2018 | 01:58 PM
  #7  
83 Crossfire TA's Avatar
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From: DC Metro Area
Car: 87TA 87Form 71Mach1 93FleetWB 04Cum
Re: Why does my car set so high?

Yea, that doesn't look that far off stock, you can't see the fender gaps here unless you turn your display brightness way up, but you can see how high it sits. This is an '87 with the stock '87 WS6 springs and stuff (it sits well over 2" higher than my Taurus SHO, which is a suspension used in police cruisers that need ground clearance):

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Old Jan 25, 2018 | 11:26 PM
  #8  
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From: Houston, TX
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: SuperRam 350
Transmission: Pro Built S/S TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Why does my car set so high?

Take a tape measure and measure from the ground through the center of the wheel to the fender lip. These cars came with "roughly" 27 inch height on the front and 28 inch in the back.
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