I just put new rims and tires on my 1984 Camaro Berlinetta. Now I want to lower it to give it the right stance. I have a set of Eibach Sportlines ordered and will be here on Friday, so I am trying to read whatever I can about the job ahead. I read the Lowering 101 thread and in the article about lowering springs it says "When lowering, there are several other suspension components that you will need; adjustable panhard bar, LCA relocation brackets." Do I need to have these things? What can you guys tell me about this job? Looking for people that have done this to their cars. We live a long way from nowhere so when the job begins it's imperative that all parts etc are here. Also was curious as to the rubber isolater or whatever it's called, the rubber that goes between the spring and the metal, I have seen some folks remove it and other keep them. What would be the best in my case and would it even make a difference removing them? thanks in advance for any and all input

 

I've heard of people using rubber hose instead of the isolators. Sportslines lower the car quite a bit and additional suspension parts might be required...ideally you want your lower control arm parallel to the ground, therefore LCA relocation brackets are needed. Lowering can also uncenter your rear axle...adjustable panhard bar required. This is just stuff I have read in advance of me lowering my car, not from experience.

Do a search, and read for a long time, as this can be a safety issue.

 

Okay thanks for your help, not sure where I am going to find an adjustable panhard bar up here in northern Ontario. Just to be clear I am not doing the job, going to have a garage switch out to the coils for me. This is undoubtedly the first time this shop has done one of these jobs so I need to be sure to have anything that they will need. Would they be able to remove aznd replace the springs without me having the adjustable panhard bar? The garage is over three blocks from my house so I could limp it home if need be. Going to get back to reading. I'd like to hear from some members who have done their own lowering and hear of the problems and issues they had. I have seen alot of folks that have had this done and few if any have mentioned a panhard bar or relocation brackets.

 

I lowered my firebird about mid december using sportlines as well. Only differance was mines a v6. Its already been half a year and nothing has gone wrong. The drop was subtle for me since im a 6 but i dont see how much of a diff body wise the cars have. I like it too. Its almost perfect but i need the front lowet so im in the process of cutting the front a 3/8s of a coil to see what it doea. You might not see a drop so drive it around a few weeks and then itll show. Give time for the springs to settle. hope this helps you

 

UMI makes a nice one. They are in PA, USA. Sure they would send it to you. With Sportlines, you will surely need one. I would bank on LCA relocation brackets, also.
You will like the results, BTW.

 

mailman did you instal an adjustable panhard bar and relocation brackets?

 

nope. everything under the car is stock except for springs. only thing i would see for using other parts is wider tires?? in running stock tire sizing right now soo i believe its a 215 or 225 65 15s for the car. thats the only thing i could see for people having problems. in the rear nothing rubs on dips and i go through like 50 daily to and from work. front is the same. nothing rubs at full lock. hope this helps.
if you have the time and not the money right now its worth a shot to see what happens and if you need them just see your driving conditions and try avoiding rubs nd such until you can afford the rest. thats how i am doing it

 

Your car wont explode without them, however yes you really should be installing them.

This however is something you really should just be doing yourself, its not something huge and with a little guidance which is readily available you can tackle it no problem.

 

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The shocks and struts that are in the car are monroe sensa trac and have been in the car for about 4 years. The mechanic at the shop said that they would be fine to use with the new lowering coils. Myself I would just as soon put in new shocks in the rear and new struts in the front, however that`s a lot of rupees to spend. What would you do. My car will only be on the road for another month or so, and I want the new coils to be in the car so that by spring time the car should have settled and have the desired stance. I see that there are several different adjustable panhard bars available through Spohn all differing in price. This is the one I was looking at buying($125.00) Please let me know if this will work or not. Thanks for looking

 

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That looks like a quality piece as well, thanks Moto (:

 

Got the Eibach Sportlines in yesterday and will be put in the car on Thursday. I am going to do a before and after shots.


Okay here is how the car sits as of now.


Here are the Sportlines.


I will post a photo once they're installed. As I understand it, it will take a few months for the springs to settle and the car to have the desired stance. Been looking at adjustable panhard bars online, I need to find one nearest my location. I found a couple of panhard bars for like $100, but the shipping was ridonkulous, over 110 for shipping.....so I will continue to search.

 

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Thanks Moto! I can't wait to see it with the new springs installed.

 

Are the Sportlines the 2inch lowering springs? Do they come in different spring rates for 8s and 6s? What are the spring rates front and rear?

 

Not too sure about the spring rates. Pretty sure canuck motorsports has a set for the 6 and the 8. As far as I knew Eibach has the pros and the sportlines. I like the looks of the cars with the sportlines best, personal preference. The car goes into the shop tomorrow at 1 PM and I need to make a decision about whether to remove the isolators or leave them in. If I do choose to leave them in, I will ask the mechanic to use a chunk of heater hose to help dampen any metal on metal. Is there a down side to removing the isolators? Thanks in advance.

 

Car is on the hoist and the rears coils are on. The front ones are almost done. Will post updated pictures later (:

 

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Hahaha smartass! I am pretty excited as if you couldn't tell (:

 

I was quite surprised and happy with the stance.

 

Perfect stance!!

 

Thanks 85ZED. I am loving it so far. The ride is much better and it just feels more sporty being lowered. One of the best upgrades I have made to my third gen. Oh and by the way, this is with no adjustable panhard bar or anything. I am getting an adjustable panhard bar soon.

 

Looks great, did you leave the isolators in or out?

 

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Are those Sportsline or Proline? Just thought Sportlines were lower than that. Want to do that to my Z'er. Will they settle a bit lower? BTW, looks sweet.

P.S. Love the Ontario license plate...

 

Not sure about that. However I believe that they are still in the car or the mechanic would have called me to ask first. He did say the bump stops were close, and that he could trim them if needed but so far so good.

Thanks Moto, I couldn't agree more totally changed the cars attitude.

These are indeed the sportline coils. Not sure I would wanna go much lower myself. I have been told the car will settle some after being driven for a few weeks. The roads up here in Northern Ontario are just brutal, wishing I had a nice flat freeway to run the old girl and stretch her legs (:

 

Yeah, it'll settle down just a bit more. I didn't need a adjustable panhard bar at all, but I will be putting LCARB's on this winter. The LCA angle definately changed. Here's a pic of how my car settled after a few months. Isloators are still on, but I also installed JM caster/camber plates up front, which probably lowered my front an additional 1/2".....Your car is sittin nice!!

 

I run Sportlines lcarb lakewood lca and not running rear isolator
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GETTING upgrading from Monroe shocks there going to wear out VERY quick there not designed for lowered height and you will have a crappy ride thays not enjoyable ...at least KYB Agx low end or Koni or Blistien higher end night and day difference !!!!! Well worth the money
With lcarb are not really needed its not end of the world especially if you just crusie weekend car but performance wise they make world of difference the rear hooks a lot better then spinning tires there only 65-80 bucks so I recommend them
When I had the rear isolators it gave car a slight rack stance Im not a fan of that
With rear isolator rear fender height has 26in front was 25 sum thing inches
With NO rear isolator rear fender height was lil under 25.5 in and front 25
Overall it even out the look and I LOVE it it just a little bit that made it perfect
Only bad thing about Sportlines is that there way to soft spring rate wise for the lowered stance especially if you don't have high end shocks for daily cruiser there just fine tho but for spirited driving not so good

Notice the fender gap vs the front rear isolator on rear

Stock height vs Sportlines

Another view rear isolator on park on incline so rear suspension compressed slightly

Angle view with rear isolator on

Rear isolator removed slightly less rack may trim 1/4 in or less to get another 1/4-1/2in lower but rear is actually lower there was slight incline and gas tank was nearly empty so it's actually 1/4 inch or more lower

Any questions let me know

 

Not sure if you're talking to me, but I'm running Bilstein AK1049's all around, and the same LCA's as you (Lakewoods). No doubt I'll install LCARBS. They should be at least level with the ground or angling downward slightly from the frame mount to the rear axle. Mine are slightly the opposite...horrible for traction. But it handles like it's on rails.

It's true that the sportline springs are soft as compared to the stockers I had on it prior, so stiff shocks are a must IMO. But with these shocks, the ride is actually very stiff, and has yet to bottom out. But - the problem with my Moser rear was made worse since the rear end is positioned further up into the chassis now, and I had to disconnect my E-brake cable because it was rubbing on top of my UMI TQ arm and actually slightly engaging my rear brakes when I hit any big bumps (and they squeaked otherwise)...So I'll need to install an additional E-cable support bracket to keep the cable off the arm.....so there are some downfalls to lowering I've discovered....

 

It's very easy to remove isolator jack up rear remove coil remove isolator put heater hose and pop back in its easy DIY free mod

 

Oh Mybad I was reading OP lol

What sway bars your running I have the biggest from factory front and rear that makes up for soft spring rate or Sportlines As people running smaller bars in rear with higher spring rate

Yea sounds like a easy fix and doesn't sound like a downfall to me lol

Yea I'm comtemplating getting stiffer springs with my new shock. N struts was maybe going to go cut Moog spring route

With the lcarb you will love it yours will really hook with your rear setup w/ posi and moser ....but running with no lcarb sounds kinda fun tho fish tailing around corners lol w/ posi

 

-Sorry to the OP...I couldn't tell who he was asking...

 

Lots of great information, thanks to all that posted. All of the cars pictured are just badass! So glad I lowered the car now. I am looking at a set of Koni shocks and struts. Will install it all next spring, including an adjustable panhard bar and some other goodies hopefully, possibly pick up some LCARB. Will have to wait and see what santa brings me this year.

 

Lol it ok I'm the same sometimes
Blonde moments Jk


Your thidgen is badass too looks like a good setup your cooking up

 

Thanks Zach, wishing I had a money tree...then I could have all the parts I need when I want them, lol (:

 

i know im wishing that to
most parts im getting are traded or bought used on CG or TGO or people i know... im keeping it Budget build theme and seeing how it will turn out only important and critical things are bought new.. and do everything on my camaro myself so that helps alot instead of paying $50-60 a hour for labor only thing i dont do is machining or welding.. once im done ill break everything down and clean up and paint along with new paint job nobody would know the difference if new or old lol but im loooonnnnggggg from done