Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Suggestions on dropping my ride

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-03-2018, 07:52 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
SBNJ84Z28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 84 Camaro Z28
Engine: 305HO
Transmission: 5 Spd
Axle/Gears: 373 Gears
Suggestions on dropping my ride

Hey gang... I have a stock 84 z28 with a air suspension in the rear from the previous owner. I'm looking to get rid of some of the wheel gap in between the front and rear tire and the fender wells. The back I suppose I can let air out of the shocks to lower, but the front I would need to change the springs. I'm looking to drop about an inch... nothing drastic that would give me problems with turning and tire rubbing. Should I do both front and rear springs, or just front? Also what manufacture do I go with? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Old 10-02-2018, 09:50 PM
  #2  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Mirror Image's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 859
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird convertible
Engine: LQ4 ls 6.0
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 342 Limited slip
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Coilovers is the best way to go so much adjustable and if you go with double adjustable just more fine tuning
Old 10-09-2018, 05:36 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (14)
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 12,650
Likes: 0
Received 44 Likes on 42 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am, 92 Firebird
Engine: 408 sbc, 3.1L of raw power
Transmission: TKO600, T5
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3:70 trutac, 3:23 torsion
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by Mirror Image
Coilovers is the best way to go so much adjustable and if you go with double adjustable just more fine tuning
Umm no. Coilovers are an expensive buzz word and are not something magical. Aside from packaging the two parts closer together, a conventional spring and shock do the same thing. Double adjustable is shock valving and has nothing to do with height adjustment.

The best adjustable setup for these cars is a weight jack setup since they are no designed or setup properly for coilovers. Even basic lowering springs work just fine for a bit less money. Eibach prokit or sportlines are the common ones, there are others too. Prokit is about an inch drop.

If you actually have rear air shocks, take them out before you break something, seriously.
​​​​
Old 10-09-2018, 06:19 PM
  #4  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Mirror Image's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 859
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird convertible
Engine: LQ4 ls 6.0
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 342 Limited slip
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Ive never had weight jacks Ive had lowering springs and coilovers and no valving has nothing to do with ride height I like the option of adjusting my ride height and I never said they were magical
Old 10-10-2018, 04:41 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (6)
 
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, California For Now
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by //<86TA>\\
Umm no. Coilovers are an expensive buzz word and are not something magical. Aside from packaging the two parts closer together, a conventional spring and shock do the same thing. Double adjustable is shock valving and has nothing to do with height adjustment.

The best adjustable setup for these cars is a weight jack setup since they are no designed or setup properly for coilovers. Even basic lowering springs work just fine for a bit less money. Eibach prokit or sportlines are the common ones, there are others too. Prokit is about an inch drop.

If you actually have rear air shocks, take them out before you break something, seriously.
​​​​

I Agree

Originally Posted by Mirror Image
Ive never had weight jacks Ive had lowering springs and coilovers and no valving has nothing to do with ride height I like the option of adjusting my ride height and I never said they were magical
you just stated it was the best tho ?

lowering springs are ok for looks but performance wise front spring rates are similar to stock Irocz rates and rears are all progressive which is fine for cruising but suck when push hard

but weight jack system either put together yourself and or pre made kits with springs are the way to go , coilovers you are limited in front wheel size as usually the widest is about a 9.5

adjustability is with the shocks you get and many will say Koni are the best which they are and AGX are not bad either for price

Old 10-10-2018, 06:40 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Galaxie500XL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 679
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
Car: 1988 IROC-Z
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56 swap ongoing
Axle/Gears: 2.77 9-bolt Posi
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Are dropped spindles still available for our cars? It does the job of lowering the car, but leaves suspension travel and spring rates stock.

They were a thing back in the day IIRC, but I've not looked into them in decades.
Old 10-10-2018, 07:31 PM
  #7  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Mirror Image's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 859
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird convertible
Engine: LQ4 ls 6.0
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 342 Limited slip
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by Zach/90\irocZ
I Agree



you just stated it was the best tho ?

lowering springs are ok for looks but performance wise front spring rates are similar to stock Irocz rates and rears are all progressive which is fine for cruising but suck when push hard

but weight jack system either put together yourself and or pre made kits with springs are the way to go , coilovers you are limited in front wheel size as usually the widest is about a 9.5

adjustability is with the shocks you get and many will say Koni are the best which they are and AGX are not bad either for price
i have 10.5 rims up front and they have 295x30x18s and they dont rub Im also using 2 1/4 spaces

Old 10-11-2018, 10:31 AM
  #8  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (6)
 
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, California For Now
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by Mirror Image
i have 10.5 rims up front and they have 295x30x18s and they dont rub Im also using 2 1/4 spaces
tight fit I would assume
I ran have ran 10 and 10.5 up front even tried a 11 lol and with my specs on wheels it was close to strut with right set of wheels and spacer It can work but coil overs upfront eat up some space I haven't look into them and or cared too as performance doesn't justify the price for me

I would like to see pics of your clearance upfront in your thread only see the 9.5 up front with 245s
so others can have picture reference of clearance

Last edited by Zach/90\irocZ; 10-11-2018 at 10:45 AM.
Old 10-11-2018, 10:49 AM
  #9  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (6)
 
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, California For Now
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by Galaxie500XL
Are dropped spindles still available for our cars? It does the job of lowering the car, but leaves suspension travel and spring rates stock.

They were a thing back in the day IIRC, but I've not looked into them in decades.
no I believe no one makes anymore but will purely be just visual and no performance gains

can use extended ball joint
Old 10-11-2018, 11:29 AM
  #10  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Mirror Image's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 859
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird convertible
Engine: LQ4 ls 6.0
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 342 Limited slip
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by Zach/90\irocZ
tight fit I would assume
I ran have ran 10 and 10.5 up front even tried a 11 lol and with my specs on wheels it was close to strut with right set of wheels and spacer It can work but coil overs upfront eat up some space I haven't look into them and or cared too as performance doesn't justify the price for me

I would like to see pics of your clearance upfront in your thread only see the 9.5 up front with 245s
so others can have picture reference of clearance

Old 10-11-2018, 12:07 PM
  #11  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (6)
 
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, California For Now
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by Mirror Image
definitely tight fit nice project as well but there might be clearance issues depending on tire as it looks like wall runs kinda flush with wheel bead , and with tires that have curb protection and the variables in each tire
Old 10-11-2018, 12:34 PM
  #12  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Mirror Image's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 859
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Car: 1991 Firebird convertible
Engine: LQ4 ls 6.0
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 342 Limited slip
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by Zach/90\irocZ
definitely tight fit nice project as well but there might be clearance issues depending on tire as it looks like wall runs kinda flush with wheel bead , and with tires that have curb protection and the variables in each tire
ive done this setup I will be installing 8 inch springs
Old 10-11-2018, 12:44 PM
  #13  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (6)
 
Zach/90\irocZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, California For Now
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by Mirror Image
ive done this setup I will be installing 8 inch springs
lol I know you know but for others that may not know
Old 10-13-2018, 03:47 PM
  #14  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (15)
 
Tibo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Desert
Posts: 5,025
Received 76 Likes on 66 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 Vert
Engine: 383 single plane efi
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 with 3.73s
Re: Suggestions on dropping my ride

Originally Posted by SBNJ84Z28
Hey gang... I have a stock 84 z28 with a air suspension in the rear from the previous owner. I'm looking to get rid of some of the wheel gap in between the front and rear tire and the fender wells. The back I suppose I can let air out of the shocks to lower, but the front I would need to change the springs. I'm looking to drop about an inch... nothing drastic that would give me problems with turning and tire rubbing. Should I do both front and rear springs, or just front? Also what manufacture do I go with? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Do a search on lowering these cars and you'll find a boatload of information. Basically lowering these cars nets you a snowball effect in that you make this one change (Lowering the body) and that leads to now needing to correcting this, that and the other. Best way to lower the front is with extended ball joints, replacing the old worn out springs with new "IROC" springs which I think are Moog 5662 or 5665. Then buy a pair of aftermarket strut mounts and a decent strut. As for the rear, it's a bigger can of worms to lower it and set it back up correctly.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dennisbernal91z
Suspension and Chassis
29
11-07-2017 02:13 PM
Kandied91z
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
1
09-20-2008 09:24 AM
BlueZee28
Group Purchases
17
12-29-2006 01:01 PM
3.1 firebird
V6
16
08-20-2001 07:38 PM
AdamS91RS
Auto Detailing and Appearance
8
03-09-2001 05:35 PM



Quick Reply: Suggestions on dropping my ride



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:09 AM.