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Pro-kit springs on.....WTF!

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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 08:26 PM
  #1  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Pro-kit springs on.....WTF!

Ok here's the problem. I put the pro-kit springs on the back the drop looks nice put the front springs on the nose hardly dropped at all. WTF? Below are the before and after measurements taken with the car in relatively the same spot in the garage for fairly accurate results.

Before: After:
LF 27.5" 26.75"
RF 27.25" 26.675
LR 28.5" 26.5"
RR 28.875" 27"

I have checked twice to make sure the front springs are seated and indexed properly. They are. Could the C5 brakes which push the wheels out about 3/8 of an inch be causeing some of this? My other thought was the sway bar I have a 36mm up front could that be causing the front to sit high. i had a heck of a time getting the endlinks back on as there was less space between the arm and bar. Perhaps I need to shorten the endlinks. I will let the car sit with the endlinks off tomorrow to see if that fixes the problem.

Any other ideas on how I could fix this? If the sway bar thing doesn't work I'm gonna have to cut a coil I suppose.

Here's a pic.

<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/473000-473999/473585_65_full.jpg">
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 08:46 PM
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From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Car: 91Z, 91RS, '84 Jimmy
Engine: L98, 355, L98
Transmission: 700R, T56, 700R4
How long have the springs been on the car? New springs often take a few days to "settle in" to their permanent height. We had this issue on my friend's 4th gen when we put Eibach springs in his car....it looked odd when we got done but it settled about an inch in the front and ended up looking really good.

The brakes and swaybar shouldn't affect ride height at all. If they do, something is wrong.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 09:00 PM
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Car: 92 Trans Am - Sold
This comes up a lot. Usually it's because your old springs were well worn and sagging before you replaced them. The advertised drop is from factory height, so give the new springs some time before you think about cutting them.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 09:00 PM
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Car: 1986 Camaro SC (Supercool)
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thats actually a good drop.....doesnt look like my prokit at least (massivly low in the front, and big rake out back)

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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 09:17 PM
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
I'm not sure the original springs were sagging before.
Here's the before pic.
It's an original California Car.

But then the 2" drop in the back makes no sense? The backs don't need to be indexed somehow also do they?

<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/473000-473999/473585_58_full.jpg">
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 09:45 PM
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My friends 86 also had some taller than usual WS6 rear springs, so that may account for more rear drop.
Now that I can see the picture, It looks like its sitting pretty nice now.
Only once have I heard that the rears should be indexed with the bottom end coil of the rear spring should point forward.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 10:17 PM
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semiller26's Avatar
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
so if the sway bars arn't it should I wait a week to see if it will settle before I cut the fronts?

I want the nice rake I had before just lower.

As it is now the rake is the wrong way and it looks kinda funky(hard to see in pic 1)
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 10:29 PM
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From: Roscoe, IL
Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: LQ4
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.70
heres a pic of my car, pro-kit in the front, the back are worn *** v6 springs and competition engineering shocks for the strip, the pro-kit actually sat a little bit lower. if you want to raise the rear, go get some new spring isolators for the rear from gm. they are taller, but will fit just the same

Last edited by KagA152; Jun 7, 2005 at 10:31 PM.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 10:32 PM
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From: Roscoe, IL
Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: LQ4
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.70
whoops, here
Attached Thumbnails Pro-kit springs on.....WTF!-as1df.jpg  

Last edited by KagA152; Jun 7, 2005 at 10:41 PM.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 10:40 PM
  #10  
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From: Roscoe, IL
Car: 1991 Trans Am
Engine: LQ4
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 3.70
i think this pic might be with the pro-kit in the back
Attached Thumbnails Pro-kit springs on.....WTF!-dscn5291.jpg  
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 11:45 PM
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From: Clearfield,Utah
Car: 1987 IROC, 1989 IROC
Engine: built 305, stock 305 tpi
Transmission: Corvette 700r4, t-5
Axle/Gears: 4.10 posi, 3.08 posi
Some one want to explain what spring indexing is and how to do it?
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 03:09 AM
  #12  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
I was refering to locating the end of the spring in between the two holes on the A-arm. Is indexing the wrong term?


Hmm I may have to cut that coil. The back looks so cool I'd be tough to raise it back up so the front wouldn't look wierd. It just looks so much better lower I'd rather the front just match the back.

Last edited by semiller26; Jun 8, 2005 at 03:12 AM.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 09:34 AM
  #13  
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Your back looks too low to be a Pro-Kit. Are you sure that's a Pro-Kit in the back? Do you have the isolators in? My Pro-Kit has a rake, similar to Camaroguy18.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 01:31 PM
  #14  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
yup they're dark grey eibach springs. pro-kit.

Funny cus I though they were too low also.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 01:50 PM
  #15  
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Dark Grey? Hmm, mine are black, but they are also over 7 years old. Do you have the number off the coil? Do you have the isolators on the top of the spring in the rear?
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 02:14 PM
  #16  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
their pretty much black and i'll see if I can find the number off the coil.

I'm kinda taking a break from workin' on it today.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 02:30 PM
  #17  
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Car: 1985 Trans Am
Engine: vee eight
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 4.10 gears
well looking at your pic, its a little dark in the pic. But the drop looks good to me , the car doesnt seem to be sitting high or anything , and isnt that a pretty close to prokit drop too . I mean it looks good the way it its , just drive it some and it might do something but i dont think mine ever settled .
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 03:18 PM
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Yeah, you're right, the 2nd pic looks better. I don't know about the 2" drop, mine has a good rake to it. I think the gfx tricked my eyes so I looked closer at the wheel wells.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 04:00 PM
  #19  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
If I cut the fronts what would be the best weapon for the job. I'm more concerned with not messing up the spring than getting it done quick.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 04:38 PM
  #20  
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Die grinder and cut-off wheel. Take it slow. People have done it with a dremel, going slow as to not overheat the spring.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 09:39 PM
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Car: 02 ws-6
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: t56
well i went to check out my height on my car with the pro-kit. my car is parked on a slightly uneven surface so its not a exact measurement but its is fairly close to it. keep in mind that i have still have my spare in the trunk and have couple of tools and parts that might possibly alter the height a little bit but i doubt it would and also my tire pressure is not up to par. i'll try to remeasure my car with the correct tire pressure and on an even surface.

left front-26.5
right front-26.5
left rear-27
right rear-27.25

heres a pix of my car.
Attached Thumbnails Pro-kit springs on.....WTF!-fscn0745.jpg  

Last edited by PHAT89TA; Jun 8, 2005 at 10:31 PM.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 10:40 PM
  #22  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
phat89ta

what kinda sway bars do you run?
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 10:49 PM
  #23  
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From: Newark, Ca, USA
Car: 02 ws-6
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: t56
my car has stock sway bar
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Old Jun 9, 2005 | 10:20 PM
  #24  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Well I cut 1/2 a coil off of the front springs today. Now it looks nice and level fronts are mow at 26". The half a coil dropped about another 1/2 inch. The car has the perfect stance now. Thanks for the tip guys.
<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/473000-473999/473585_66_full.jpg">
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Old Jun 10, 2005 | 12:49 AM
  #25  
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From: Hialeah/Mia.
Car: 1990 350 tbi l98,
Engine: 5.7 tbi
Transmission: t5
Do you guys have a panhard bar . If you dont have that ajustable thats the reson for your car being like that, you also need relocating brakets. And the eibach spring are only a 1.0" front 1.0" rear. -eric http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...23&prmenbr=361
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Old Jun 10, 2005 | 01:58 AM
  #26  
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From: Newark, Ca, USA
Car: 02 ws-6
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: t56
now they look like sportlines. looks great though. how does it ride?
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Old Jun 10, 2005 | 03:49 AM
  #27  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
90tbi305

Do you guys have a panhard bar . If you dont have that ajustable thats the reson for your car being like that, you also need relocating brakets. And the eibach spring are only a 1.0" front 1.0" rear. -
the car has lakewood LCA and BMR rod end panhard bar. LCA brackets get welded on when the shop finishes with the Jaguar. I also ordered a Panhard bar relocation bracket which will get welded when it gets here.

PHAT89TA now they look like sportlines. looks great though. how does it ride?
Rides nice and tight not to bouncy or harsh. I think I may change the progressive rear springs out for some GW linear springs. I'm not sure I like the feel with them back their. The car doesn't feel as predictable around turns but I'm still getting used to it.
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Old Jun 12, 2005 | 10:27 PM
  #28  
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Car: One of 5
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I just put on a set of the prokits and tokico hp shocks. My ride height is 26.75 fronts and 27 out back. My 91Z has 32K miles and the old struts would only come out about 1/3 of the way.

What a diffence it makes though no more scrapiing the air deflector on my driveway or tires when making a fast turn.
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Old Jun 13, 2005 | 11:23 AM
  #29  
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Car: 88 Sport convertible
Engine: 305TBI
Transmission: AUTO
Axle/Gears: 3.42 rear end
did anyone answer the question of "indexing the rear springs"

i don't see it, but i have been known to overlook things.....


I know that the bottom of both should be at the same "clock" position, but is there a proper palce for the top?
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Old Jun 13, 2005 | 07:01 PM
  #30  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
rear spring index

nope never got an answer. I just put them in the same way the old ones were siting.

anyone have an answer to this one?
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Old Jun 13, 2005 | 11:36 PM
  #31  
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Don’t worry about the bottom pigtails (although they will probably end up in the same spot anyway), the top pockets are not quite flat to the axis of the spring, just put the ends of the to top coils facing the same way. Usually, with the ends of the top coils towards the back the rear of the car will sit a little lower (1/2”) then they will with them towards the front of the spring pocket, and to either side is usually someplace in the middle.
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 10:38 PM
  #32  
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Originally posted by semiller26
If I cut the fronts what would be the best weapon for the job. I'm more concerned with not messing up the spring than getting it done quick.
milwaukee porta band.....

the 28v cordless variety.....best tool on earth
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 11:12 PM
  #33  
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Originally posted by 83 Crossfire TA
Don’t worry about the bottom pigtails (although they will probably end up in the same spot anyway), the top pockets are not quite flat to the axis of the spring, just put the ends of the to top coils facing the same way. Usually, with the ends of the top coils towards the back the rear of the car will sit a little lower (1/2”) then they will with them towards the front of the spring pocket, and to either side is usually someplace in the middle.
This is interesting. I'll have to check my springs orientation next time I'm under the car. I was trying to figure out why the right side sits higher than the left side in the rear. I don't have the 40lb spare tire/jack back there but I have a 10# nitrous bottle (25lbs when full) so the 15lb difference shouldn't make a noticeable difference. I may not have the tops pointed in the same direction, thanks.
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Old Jun 15, 2005 | 12:30 AM
  #34  
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Originally posted by 383backinblack
milwaukee porta band.....

the 28v cordless variety.....best tool on earth
Just about anything that cuts steel well will work. I usually like an angle grinder with a cutting disk, but have done it with a die grinder, hacksaw, torch, plasma… (contrary to popular belief, you’d have to be a ham fisted moron to get multiple coils hot enough to ruin a spring with a cutting torch or plasma)
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Old Jun 15, 2005 | 04:03 AM
  #35  
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From: Northern NV
Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
i used my trusty work dremmel worked like a charm. just be sure to use the reinforced cut-off wheels.

83 Crossfire TA
you’d have to be a ham fisted moron to get multiple coils hot enough to ruin a spring
That what I though after I got done cutting. Before I was wary that I'd screw up the springs. There was very little heat transfer with the dremmel.
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Old Jul 23, 2005 | 07:18 PM
  #36  
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From: Miramichi, NB
Car: 86 Monte Carlo
Engine: Blown 489
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: 9" 370s
ok this may be the right thread, im looking to lower my car, the front end sits up higher then the back, would i need lower springs for the front? or when i take the old ones will it all be even so that i can just put in the pro kit 1.0" front/back and it will look right? i dont know if i make sense or not, any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 12:50 PM
  #37  
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From: Newark, Ca, USA
Car: 02 ws-6
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: t56
roughskinjrz, when i first bought my car, my fronts sat higher than my rears. That was because it still had stock shocks/struts and springs and the rear were saggin a bit. After replacing them with kyb's and the pro-kit i am very happy with the stance it gave me, as u could see in the pics above.

Last edited by PHAT89TA; Jul 26, 2005 at 01:36 PM.
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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 12:58 PM
  #38  
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From: Miramichi, NB
Car: 86 Monte Carlo
Engine: Blown 489
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: 9" 370s
yeah your car sits VERY NICE, hopefully that will fix my problem
thanks alot
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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 01:38 PM
  #39  
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From: Newark, Ca, USA
Car: 02 ws-6
Engine: 5.7 liter
Transmission: t56
roughskins i recommend, when changing ur springs u should also change ur shocks/struts also. kyb is a very good shock/struts for the money.
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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 03:01 PM
  #40  
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From: Miramichi, NB
Car: 86 Monte Carlo
Engine: Blown 489
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: 9" 370s
thats what im doing... kyb and eibach pro kit, or maybe go more then 1.0 maybe 2.0
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Old Jul 26, 2005 | 10:08 PM
  #41  
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From: Pelham, NH
Car: 91 B4C, 17 C7 GS, 16 Denali DMax
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I installed the Eibach sportlines on my IROC. Are you all leaving the rubber isolaters on the top of the rear springs? I left them in there. My rear end sits higher for sure.

I didnt measure the before and after ride height. Regardless the sportlines are suppose to drop the front 1.4 and the rear 1.6 I think. I definately got 1.4 up front but I am not sure about 1.6 in the rear.

I'll have to wait and see how it sits after I drive it. I only put about 30 miles on it since they were installed.
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 12:33 AM
  #42  
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pro or sport

whats better for lowering?
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 10:58 AM
  #43  
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From: Detroit, MI
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: LT1 350
Transmission: T56 6 Speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42 LSD
Hyperco Performance Suspension Coils

i was wondering if anyone every used these springs,

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/in...?v=1&pid=27928

if so how do they compare to Eibach's prokit? What would be my best bet these or the Eibach?

Thanks for the help,

JAG
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 11:23 AM
  #44  
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From: Norfolk, VA. USA
Car: 86 Trans Am, 88 Formula
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I've got the Sportlines on my Formula and it looks more like a prokit to me,


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