I have a 1983 Trans Am and have been thinking about dropping the car 1.5 or so inches. I was planning on buying a 1 inch lowering springs and cutting some of the spring off. I would like to know if I put these springs in will I have to do anything else? Will my ride down the road be bumpier? Any tips or suggestions on dropping my car would be greatly appreciated.

 

Why dont you try taking out the spring isolators. That should drop an inch or so you might find its all you need. Or you could go with "weight jackers" they're pretty neat, do a search on them.

 

For just 1.5", other than an alignment, nothing more should be needed.

After putting on weight jacks & dropping mine 2", my alignment (before) was so bad, it actually got BETTER, after dropping the car!

Unless your springs are worn already, why not just cut your stock springs, instead of buying new ones & cutting those? I've cut springs before & used the cars for autocross. If you cut them right (saw, no torch), they'll still be perfectly fine afterwards & save you money.

 

.Just trim your stocks. Or buy some stiffer front Moogs like I did and trim those for firmer handling. Rears are real easy to pull out, isolators may only give a 1/2 inch so try that first then possibly trim those too. Later.

 

Where can I locate these isolaters? and I have to pull the springs out to cut them correct? So if I do decide to cut the springs I should get an alignment correct?

 

The isolaters are between the springs & the body. Some people put them back in, I never have.

To cut the spring RIGHT....Yes, you hafta pull them out. But the rears are SIMPLE. Even the fronts aren't nearly as hard as people complain about. I did all 4 corners & only took the 4 wheels off, 2 nuts & 2 "bolts" (large screws really) loose!

 

To save your tires lifespan, most likely you'll want an alignment. My fronts are already almost worn out, so I haven't bothered getting a front end alignment. But will when brand new tires go on.

 

Hello
I always suggest anytime a vehicle is lowered to look into a adjustable pan hard bar to allow you to re center the rear end under the vehicle. Below is a link to show you what all UMI Performance has to offer! And I would also suggest eventually looking into a set of lower control arm relocation brackets to allow you to locate the control arm so that it is parallel to the ground. And it will gain back your traction that you lost when the vehicle was lowered.

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...i95s2dvqq70j86

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...i95s2dvqq70j86

If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help.
Thanks
Brad

 

Don't forget shocks when lowering the car.