I have a 91 Camaro RS w/ a 305, auto trans, 16 in wheels, and t-tops (if it matters). What I want to know is if my cars been lowered before. I was told the springs were heated, but can't tell by looking at them, however it does right rougher than I think it should. Could you guys that have a similiar car post your measurements from ground to fender lip so I don't have to pull my springs out first.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

springs are probably worn out after 15 years so it sits lower then when it was new. of course thats if the springs are original.

 

I am mainly trying to find out if the springs are original or not.

 

Heated springs ? I think they were trying to l;ower the car a bit by the sounds of it . So it shouldn't be the same ride height as stock .

 

I've always heard that heat+spring=bad things
heat makes springs brittle....anyone else hear this? just trying to confirm or deny for my knowledge

 

Heating stock springs is a free way to lower stock cars VERY fast

Not very accurate way of lowing it, IMO

Lots of people have done it where i live, never heard any problems unless the person heating the springs left the torch on the spring too long and actually cut it... in that case it gets really bad cuz the person heating the springs is under the car and the springs have full weight on them the full time

 

I've heard it makes them brittle as well......knowing this info...I'd just change them anyway....

 

theres a discusion thread under auto detailing about lowered rides also. heating spings is bad, cutting them is another option. niether is 100% accurate but both do work. i would go with cut spings over heated springs. heating springs changes the hardness and internal stress mechanics

 

heating also drastiaclly changes the rate of the springs. Cutting is better than heating(if cut w/ cut-off wheel/saw), but new springs is alays the right way to go. It's a couple hundred bucks, come on...

 

A side note: When I was 16 or 17 many moons ago, I heated the front springs of my 1954 Chevy as far as possible. The ride was--well, it's a stupidity I'll not repeat again. Do it correctly or don't do it.

JamesC

 

What color are the springs? What type of coating is on them? Stock springs are flat black whereas most afternmarket springs have glossy rubberized color coating on them.

Intrax = blue/purple
Sportlines = red
Pro-kit = black
Hotchkis = grey
BMR = red

Old stock springs sag and give the illusion that your car is lowered. This is common.

Heat on springs is bad bad bad. It changes the properties of the material which in turn affects the dynamic way the spring behaves. This equals not good and can be very dangerous.