Too much drop from SPC A-body kit!

[BuickGS]

I just installed my SPC UCA & LCA with Howe tall BJs upper and lower on stock drum brake spindles on my 72 Buick GS. Used SPC springs also (1.3" drop according to their website). I have the height adjuster kit also, with the just cast piece that the spring end fits into installed now. The car is about 2" too low. I like my car low. So I mean it is so low, it is not practical to drive. I have about 3/8" air space at the bump stops at the current ride height. Anyone else had this problem? I can install the 2 remaining spacers in the height adjuster kit, but I think that will only get me 1/2" to 1" improvement.
I don't see where SPC sells a stock ride ht. spring. But if they did, that might get me where I need to be.
TIA,
Jeff

[LS1NOVA]

Give Marcus at SC&C a call.

[Roadbuster]

Did you buy it from SC&C? If so x2 on calling Mark.

If you have his lower control arms, you should have the progressive bump stops which are supposed to be very close to the frame.

For every half inch of spacers you install it will raise the ride height by 1 inch.

How high is the engine crossmember from the ground?

Jon

[BuickGS]

I did buy everything from S C & C. Marcus was great at helping me come up a package to fit my needs. The only downside was some difficulty getting back in touch w/ them, as some of my parts were back ordered for a while. BTW, my AFX spindles I ordered in February have still not arrived, hence the switch to the tall BJs on stock spindles instead. (ATS ought to be ashamed)
I have a call and email into Marcus. I was hoping to get quicker guidance here on Pro-Touring.com.
I do have his LCA w/ the progressive bumpers. All of the parts are top quality, right down to bump stops.
I can put in the 1/2" spacers I have left in the ht. adj. kit. I have 2 3/4" inches of ground clearance at the cross member now. If I picked up an inch here, I am afraid it would still be too low.
Can anyone else offer feedback on their clearance?
Anyone know the spring rate on the SPC front springs?

[GenPac]

A high quality shock will keep that low ride hight in check. I am running stg2+ with factory LCAs 750lb springs and have 3-7/8" crossmember clearance. My single adjustable Varishocks (adjusted firm) keep the suspension from bottoming out on speed bumps and hwy speed dips.
Remember also that those progressive rate bumpers are taller than factory bumpers.

Put in the rest of your shims and give it a ride around the block... keep it slow and gradually learn its limits. If you have long tube headers, you might want to get more shims for that reason alone.

[Roadbuster]

Jeff,
My GTO has the SC&C upper and lower arms with ATS spindles and coilovers. It sits a hair under 3 inches at the engine crossmember, with 255/35R18 tires. That is my normal ride height.

Try calling again, he is usually on the phone with someone. He helped me when I did the install on my car.

Jon

[gmorris]

I'm running SPC uppers and lowers with SPC springs and had the same issue at first. I now have the big aluminum helical lower spacer, thick aluminum upper spacer and 2 thin steel shock spacers on the bottom and everything is working really well. The key was the thick upper spc spacer without which mine was way too low as well.

[larknut]

Sounds like you got things sorted out now. Let's see some pictures when its all back together.

Not sure if it makes much of a difference in your situation but, remember the big block Buicks are supposed to weigh considerably less than say a Chevy big block. It might have some effect on your final ride height outcome.

[the450r]

What size upper and lower spacers did you end up using. I think I might put the upper urathane bushing on top I'm not using them. I have the aluminum heilcal spacer and 2 of the thin spacers under it.

[Mkelcy]

What size upper and lower spacers did you end up using. I think I might put the upper urathane bushing on top I'm not using them. I have the aluminum heilcal spacer and 2 of the thin spacers under it.

Do you realize that this thread is almost 5 years old?

[BuickGS]

I guess I am still subscribed to this thread, since I got an email notification. I ended up with 2 of the steel shim spacers on the bottom (1/4" thick each, I believe), and the cast aluminum spacer (also about 1/4") on the top of the spring. I had the urethane spacer on top of the spring at one time, but upon a later disassembly, I noticed it was crushed to less than half its original thickness. All of this with a 255/40/17 front tire, and about 3.75" clearance at the crossmember.
Later I installed the AFX spindles in place of the stock spindles/tall ball joints. This dropped the front end too much, and I had to add a third steel spacer at the bottom.
Then I changed to a slightly taller 275/35/18 Rival front and slightly shorter 315/30/18 Rival rear. I gained some height at the front, and the car did not look right. After measuring, I found the car to be dead level, with no rake. Back apart with the front end, and removed one steel spacer from the bottom. Now I have just a bit of rake, and the car looks great. Gotta love those SPC lower A-arms that allow for the spacers!
The car I am building now (65 Skylark) will have coil overs that have a height adjustment, as I am sick of breaking down the front end of my 72 GS.

[the450r]

Nope but if I started a new thread I would of got flamed for not using the search. Thanks.

[the450r]

I'm changing to 275/40/17 so I think I'll see what mine looks like after that before I change anything. I saw there are several sizes for the upper ones. I had the same issues with mine being too low with stage 2 SPC springs and control arms. I figured the ats spindle would only work with stock ball joints. I didn't realize the ats spindle would drop it even more.

[andrewb70]

There is no problem with bringing up an old thread if the subject matter is of interest. Carry on.

Andrew

[the450r]

I reread this post and I realized I have never measured my ground clearance. Is 3.75-4" without driver/passengers? I'm running the coil spacer and both thin spacers I think I might need a top shim but which one... To get 4 with driver. I do not have the urethane piece installed.

[Interceptor5588]

I had the same problem with my 70 -- all 4 spacers installed and the coil spacer on top and still couldn't get a jack under the crossmember. Marcus ordered me a pair of stock height big-block springs from DSE and had them direct-shipped. Now perfect. i believe the rate is 650 lbs/in.

This is with a Pontiac 400 with no AC; I would think that your LS is at least 100 lbs lighter, but every car seems to be differrent.

[the450r]

I have the Spc springs 550lbs/in three shims are under the spring. having a ls doesnt affect the ride height very much. its only 100lbs different. Having more spring rate doesn't make the car sit higher. Or make you need another 100lbs/in spring rate for a different engine. The shims adjust the ride height without affecting spring rate. I'm upgrading my shocks soon I'm might try one more top shim.