Need To Lower The Rear Of My 68 Camaro...suggestions

[wwolfe]

I have the front ride height correct, now I need to work on the rear. It is currently all original (bushings that is) with multi-leaf set-up. I just installed 255/50/17's on a 8" rim with 4.5" b/s and have approx 3.5" from the top of the tire to the wheel lip. The rear shocks are new KYB Gas-A-Just. The front of the car has hotchkis dropped coils. Here are my options....let me know your thoughts

- Hotchkis Sport Leaf Springs Kit for the rear (2407C)
- GLobal West L-2 Leaf Springs Kit with del-a-lum bushings/shackles
- De-Arch original leaf springs and add del-a-lm bushings/shackles
- Lowering blocks (last resort)

I am leaning towards hotchkis or global west spring kits..any other suggestions or recommendations between the two?

Also, I currently have lakewood u-bolt traction bars that I would like to get rid of so I do not have ground clearance issues and clean up the look of the car....do these leaf spring kits do a good job of eliminating wheel hop? I have 406 with approx 400HP and a 4 speed muncie.

Wes

[6'9"Witha69]

Hotchkis springs work really well and will practically eliminate wheel hop.

[DeepBlue68]

How bad is it to use lowering blocks? Those would be a cheap easy fix. I know it's one of those "it's really not the best way to do it" things. I've also read that they can create/worsen axle-hop issues because they give the axle the ability to generate more torque about its center. I'm certainly not saying go buy a 3" lowering block and be done with it. But if you put the Hotchkis springs on there, and they didn't get it quite as low as you'd like, is it bad to put a 1" block on to get it a little lower?

Anyone have any experience with them?

[6'9"Witha69]

No more than 1" on a lowering block. That is when you start experiencing issues. Another issue with lowering blocks (like raising blocks on trucks) is having longer bolts which can stretch over time/use and cause some even worse damage when the block pops out!

[sikryd]

I say scrap the leafs and put in ladder bars with coil overs, this will solve your ride height issue, and totaly eliminate wheel hop / axle wrap problems. On the down side your looking at about $700 if you put them in yourself. Art morrison has a good package you may want to look at.

[importkiller69ss]

i second hotchis i love mine and have no wheel hop like i did before...some people are using them and then getting 1" blocks to perfect the stance..

[6'9"Witha69]

I say scrap the leafs and put in ladder bars with coil overs, this will solve your ride height issue, and totaly eliminate wheel hop / axle wrap problems. On the down side your looking at about $700 if you put them in yourself. Art morrison has a good package you may want to look at.Ladder bars are among the worst handling rear suspensions ever!

[wendell]

I've run 1 1/4 lowering blocks on a full race camaro w/ no ill effects. I also don't see longer ubolts as a potential problem. Please don't put ladder bars on your car.

[jy211]

I used DSE lowered leafs...

[CAMAROBOY69]

I always suggest De-arch. Worked great for me and only cost $60.00. I have no regrets at all for doing it.