Hello,
Just had a new exhaust system installed: Dual 3" going under trans cross-member. now im down to about 3" of ground clearance. After I removed all of the emissions equipment and installed a fiberglass hood, the front end came up by and inch. The rear used to be nice and stiff, now it is soft and i could swear, a bit lower than i remember. I think if i raise the back an inch, the car will have an even stance and i will have a bit more clearance. What is the best way to bump the back up an inch? Maybe make it a bit stiffer at the same time?

 

4th gen rubber spring isolators

 

you could try and lose some weight, or replace your coilsprings. on the cheap,...you can get some coilspring expanders at the local autostore.

 

Or, (shudder!), air shocks.

 

Yeah air shocks are a big "shudder"... the place they attach to on the car, is just a hole in the floor pan. No structural strength whatsoever. Guaranteed to fail by the shock literally punching a hole out.

Best thing to do is a new set of rear springs. Dirt cheeeeeeeeeep, super eeeeeeeeezie to change out. And, they confer other benefits besides just ride height, including stiffness and improved handling. Best of all... no risk of destroying the rest of the car in the process of a very short-term "fix".

 

Ok, sounds like a good idea.New springs and either some 4th gen isolators or spring expanders if i need more height... Any particular brand or kind of springs better than others?

 

The Moog 5665 should give you an inch or thereabouts with OE isolators. If that's not sufficient, throw on the fourthgen isolator. I'd stay away from 'expanders.'

JamesC

 

What James said...

The other part # option is CC635. 5665 is a constant-rate spring, CC635 is variable-rate. Which is better, depends on how you use the car and what you expect out of it. (i.e. 5665 maybe better for ideal handling, CC635 maybe better for bumpy roads and having people ride in the back seat) Either is a VAST improvement over ANY factory ones, even if they're not already wore out and sagging.