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Lowered Trans Am help/question

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Old Nov 5, 2009 | 08:44 AM
  #1  
WSX123's Avatar
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From: Bridgeville, PA
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
Lowered Trans Am help/question

88 GTA When I purchased the car the previous owner lowered the car by 3in using just springs.

When u have any sort of weight in the car, the car bounces, and rides crappy, i dont have the original springs.

Is there a way to fix this or just try and find OEM springs for it. I know they sell them new also.

Any thoughts what to do. thanks
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Old Nov 5, 2009 | 08:56 AM
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From: East Tennesse
Car: 1991 RS Camaro
Engine: L03 (want LS1)
Transmission: 700R-4 (and T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.23 posi
Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

I think you can buy OEM springs @ AutoZone. You'll probably need shocks with them if the car's been dropped that much- the on car shocks will be killed most likely. The problem with the ride is probably related to a lack in dampening with the shocks and the spring rate of the springs. Do you have a picture of the car to show how low it actually is? You might be able to fix it with shocks but you will have to spend a good deal on them if the car is really 3 inches lower than stock.
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Old Nov 5, 2009 | 09:05 AM
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From: Bridgeville, PA
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

here is a link to it http://www.wsxserver.com/gta thanks
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Old Nov 5, 2009 | 09:24 AM
  #4  
91_5.7_TPI's Avatar
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From: East Tennesse
Car: 1991 RS Camaro
Engine: L03 (want LS1)
Transmission: 700R-4 (and T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.23 posi
Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

I don't think that's 3 inches. My car sits on the ProKit from Eibach and actually sits about that height if not a little lower.

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I'd say your best bet will be to look at the springs and see if they are lowering springs or hacked up stock springs. You can lower the car on the stock springs using a couple different methods if you do it correctly, but few know how or take the time. If they are lowering springs, just get some good shocks/struts. If they are hacked up stockers, I'd reccomend getting new springs (either lowering springs, stock springs, or getting stock springs and cutting them if you want) and getting shocks/struts, because like I said, they're likely blown.
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Old Nov 5, 2009 | 10:19 AM
  #5  
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From: Bridgeville, PA
Car: 1988 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

there lowered springs, there not cut, ill have to try replacing the struts and see if that helps. think i should get lowered struts or buy factory struts.

Id say our cars are about the same height, if not pretty close
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Old Nov 5, 2009 | 01:10 PM
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From: East Tennesse
Car: 1991 RS Camaro
Engine: L03 (want LS1)
Transmission: 700R-4 (and T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.23 posi
Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

How much do want to spend on the shocks? That'll determine what to get. You'll need at least a certain level or shock, or the springs will kill them quickly.
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Old Nov 5, 2009 | 01:14 PM
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From: Houston
Car: 1984 camaro z28
Engine: 305 H.O.
Transmission: 700r4 automatic
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

you need rims >.> lmao imo you got this cosmetic goddess of a car and then bam! :/ lol plain rims thats just imo
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 01:28 PM
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Car: '91 Camaro Z28, '85 Camaro Z28
Engine: LB9, LB9
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Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

That's definitely not a 3" drop. I have a 3" drop and the top of the tire is perfectly even with the fender lip. There is no wheel gap. You probably need new shocks. I would check your bump stop clearance as well just to be safe.
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 09:05 PM
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Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

looks like a 1" drop to me, sound like you need some new shocks, nice looking car by the way
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 09:22 PM
  #10  
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Lowered Trans Am help/question

That is a 1" MAYBE 1/8" drop. Mine (see sig) is 1 3/4" & mine is lower. Sits right at the top of my tires, which are the same height as your stock tires.

With the "bouncy" you describe, your struts &/or shocks are blown out. Replace them & it'll be good again.
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