Lowered Suspension

Doug,

Just do it. The only reason they are there is due to DOT bullshit about headlight height.

Even with them out, I can't imagine ANY clearance issues.

My car sits very low, and only the very worst of curbs/speed bumps ever have me bumping on anything, and I can count the times that has happened on both hands.

Old photo with Etoile wheels.

Larry

OK,but it's gonna' be your fault if I break them GT5 front lights you sold me on a manhole cover!
You better have spares.

With my lowered floorpans, if I make a fist I have to turn it flat to fit under now. Maybe I have big hands, huh?

I must admit that it does look right at that height.

Your car is what I had in mind when I asked this too. I saw the pictures.

I love the color. Does the color look better lower?

Really nice car.

quote:

With my lowered floorpans, if I make a fist I have to turn it flat to fit under now. Maybe I have big hands, huh?

I do not have lowered pans. What usually hits is the curved body brace just behind the front wheel openings or the brace just behind the seat area. If your pans drop below that point, you may have problems.

My clearance at those points is just at 4"

Springs and shocks are very firm - Koni gas and GT5 rates 450F and 550R. Stock was 200 and 350.

You can always put them back in.

Larry

With lowered floor pans the s brace gets cut out.
I have 2" dropped pans. Ive got 3" clearance to the pan now and I have 3/4" angle irons to bolt to the seat studs and reinforce the pans. I'd say 2-1/2" ground clearance for them.

Looks like I'm going to have about 1-1/2 to 2" of clearance with the spacers out but I won't know till I do it.

I know, just do it. Thanks Nike.

When can I get those led, behind the glass signal flashers for my baby turbo side mirrors?

I must be getting really old. I put mine back in to make ingress and egress easier. That's also why I am really wanting to see how some of the power steering projects come out.

I can't believe I just wrote that!

quote:

When can I get those led, behind the glass signal flashers for my baby turbo side mirrors?

Just send a blank check.

I'll get started on it as soon as I get my heads back and the engine put back together.

Larry

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:

quote:

When can I get those led, behind the glass signal flashers for my baby turbo side mirrors?

Just send a blank check.

I'll get started on it as soon as I get my heads back and the engine put back together.

Larry

I still have the spacers in my 73! At least until I finish installing my new bushings and then they will be in the parts bin!
Curt

Jeff,
I'm happy with my power steering from Wilkinson.
Glenn

Is there a part number or identification on the power steering rack?

Removed my spacers a couple years ago.

PD,
no number, Wilkinson sells the whole kit. Very complete except for fluid. I think the rack is a mid 80's chevette with lengthened tie rods.

My spacers have been removed and I believe that some of my front coils have been removed. I've scraped my front on a could speed bumps. Nothing major. I wouldn't advise going too low if your P car wears a front air dam.

Sorry guys, I meant to say that I believe that my front coils have been cut...

OK, I've got one of the spacers out. The right front. It isn't 1" thick at all it is less then 1/2" thick.
How does one result in a 1" drop from removing a 1/2" spacer?

Now I have Koni shocks with stock springs. I know some of you are using the stiffer GT5 springs.

Awhile back Hall was selling progressive rate springs. Is anyone using them?

Doug,

If your coil over was attached to the car vertically, a 1/2" spacer would drop the car exactly 1/2". But because they are sat at an angle it will drop it quite a bit more.

My car still has the original 30 year old oil filled Telecar shocks. The reason I have not changed them yet is because the car rides so well. I dont know if the European GTS cars got different spring rates to the American cars, but mine is nice and firm. I lowered the car a few years ago by cutting the spring seats off the shocks. I then fabricated new seats and welded them on further down. I turned the shock upside down so the oil would run to the other end (away from the heat) and welded a small spot at a time, and let it cool before proceeding. It sounds crude, but it worked perfectly!

I intend to replace my springs and shocks soon with modern units solely to save weight. I am interested in the Aluminium bodied Koni's that Dennis Quala sells. Has anybody else tried these?

Another way to lower you car and increase the spring rates at the same time is to cut a coil off with a grinder, then heat a spot half way around from the end coil until it's red hot, then press it on the ground to make the end flat again. I did this on my Lotus Esprit with great success. It is a bit of a guessing game as to exactly how low it will go. But you can always put your spacers back in if you go too far..

Think of the coil spring a coiled up torsion bar, if you shorten it, it will become stiffer.

Johnny

quote:

Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
OK, I've got one of the spacers out. The right front. It isn't 1" thick at all it is less then 1/2" thick.
How does one result in a 1" drop from removing a 1/2" spacer?

Now I have Koni shocks with stock springs. I know some of you are using the stiffer GT5 springs.

Awhile back Hall was selling progressive rate springs. Is anyone using them?

... Removing a 1/2" spacer lowers the car 1.0" Because of the 'Ratio' of the 'A' arm movement! The spacer came off the bottom of the shock, But the car 'rides' on the upright at the End of the Arm! Make sense?...