Ok my car's exhaust is a couple of inches at best from the street. I have 16 inch wheels with 245-50-16 tires all around that are gettin pretty worn. What would be the least expensive way to get another 1 1/2". I could go with new taller tires since I need them anyway but I'm not sure how much taller I can get without rubbing. Or will I have to get new springs front and rear or is there another route? Thanks, BUTTE

 

fix your exhaust problem, don't jack up the car, it's a camaro not a jeep, your problem is that your exhasut is to low correct???? so raise the exhaust.

 

I built the exhaust system myself as that is what I do. It is as close to the cross members as possible without touching. I'm not wanting to skyjack it just an inch or so to clear the nasty railroad crossings and such.

 

moog iroc replacement springs will most likely raise the car an inch at least.

 

How much would the replacement springs cost as compared to installing a larger set of tires or is installing taller tires an option?

 

69 per spring

 

I had a similar problem.
wasn't the exhaust!
wasn't the springs!

It was the engine mounts!!!!

both were old and for lack of a better term, collapsed or shorter than new ones.
I replaced them and had no more clearance issues, other than normal!

good luck,

If you change them the nuts inside the crossmember are a @!^%*$#!*.

 

NO!!!!!!!! motor mounts do not effect clearance, why the hell would you think that???????????? if the motor mounts fail than the mmotor will rest on the k member, and still no clearancew will be lost, the oil pan may drop 1/2" but it's still above the k member and way above the exhaust

 

Go to a bigger new tire. 255/50r16 will be a good bit taller than a bald 245/50r16.

 

If the engine is closer to the crossmember or K- frame, since the exhaust is connected to the engine, then it will sit lower as well.

Why in the hell would I think that?

Because, my exhaust was low and scraping speed bumps, etc.
It was hanging lower than the bottom of the car.

I replaced the motor mounts.
Both mounts were 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch shorter than the replacements.
Since the mounts are on an angle, it raised the engine more than the difference of the old to new mounts.

My exhaust did not scrape anything after that!
It raised the exhaust and engine signifcantly.

This is not an opinion, IT IS WHAT I DID to my 84 Trans Am.

This may or may not be your problem, just sharing what I did to correct a similar issue.

 

Where'd you run the exhaust to loose clearance? Not bashing, just curious.

A 255/50 is just a slightly wider tire than a 245/50 and about .4 inches taller overall. That'd be less than a 1/4 lift...

 

Well it's not that it's too low for me as I have never had it drag, I ran the exhaust straight back from the headers then angled toward the center of the car on each side of the driveline back to the mufflers and dump out in front of the rear axle. I am selling the car and the guy who is buying it is about 6'4" and well over 300lbs plus his son is just as big, he was wanting to know the best way to get some more clearance I told him since the tires are worn out that I'm losing at least a 1/2 inch there and if he put a taller tire on it that should fix the issue. He's kinda overly afraid with his and his sons weight that he might tear something up if he happens to bottom out on something.

 

I'd change the exhaust. But short of that, just get some new springs and GOOD shocks/struts in it and it should be pretty resistant to bottoming out.

My Konis kept my old dual 3inch off the ground easily. But they're a hell of a lot more expensive than the average catback.

 

I don't think my car would clear that too well haha



Springs and shocks and maybe a taller tire would help. But, keep in mind- changing tire sizes will mess up the speedometer and odometer.

 

Ok thanks for all of your suggestions. I gave the guy who wants the car all of the recommendations and if they buy it they have all the proper info they need, Thanks, BUTTE

 

Right, but if his 245s are near bald like he said above, i'm not sure how tall tread is on a new tire, but that plus the .4 inches, overall it could be close to 3/4 inch taller than he is now. Does that make sense?

 

Yes it does. But the tread depth is only 9-11/32s. That plus the .2 inches (it's .4 over all, but only half of that is on the ground at once) is still about half an inch. It'd help some, but not a whole lot. Still worth a shot though.

 

i would get the new springs first, your stock ones are most likely shot anyway. See where it gets you, they pick a larger tire to fill the wheel well if you want to.