Whats Your Ground Clearance?

[Motobrewmaster]

So I am curious what kind of ground clearances we are running on our cars.

Please do the poll at the least, however it would be cool to know your clearance, where is the lowest point and your thoughts on your ground clearance (good, bad, etc.)

My lowest point on my car is the exhaust headers at ~3 3/4". I might raise my ride height to bring this up as New England roads in spring are frost heave war zones!

Cheers, Steve

[yellow1098Greg]

Low enough that my 2 post lift arms don’t fit underneath without using a low rise jack ...dammit

[GoodysGotaCuda]

About 3-3/4" to the lowest part of the header. It's not really a problem here in Texas, only the most aggressive driveway transitions or speed bumps kiss the header. Car sits pretty low on the chassis, but my tires are quite tall, which helps, 27.1" fronts.

[Bugzilla]

I am right at 5". There is no low point under my car. Its got a nice flat belly.

[Zspoiler]

My 1979 Z-28 is a little above 3" above the front crossmember .But with a Vette Brakes adjustable C-4 mono leaf suspension .I can adjust it if needed .Because it can be a pain at time getting a floor jack underneath it at times

[130fe]

4.5 inches, subframe is 5” and headers hang below 1/2”. The standard speed bump height is 4”.

[Motobrewmaster]

4.5 inches, subframe is 5” and headers hang below 1/2”. The standard speed bump height is 4”.

That is actually a very good point about speed bumps. To me anyone who is planning on driving their car a bunch might what to consider this. I am super pleased with the quality of my headers and don't want to get the common header dents we all are familiar with on lowered cars.

[pittpens24]

My exhaust is currently at 2-3/4" at the mufflers which is too low! I had no issues at all under normal driving conditions. On back roads with a high crown, I hit in certain areas. Pulling into a car show where there are speed bumps is a total nightmare. The only part of my build that I totally underestimated and failed miserably at that!!!

[Pro Touring Store]

I've got a couple clamps that are 2.5" from the ground. I've rubbed them a couple times but honestly hasn't been bad. If your car isn't super soft then 3.75" is plenty IMO.

[anguilla1980]

My lowest point is the bottom of the damn QuickTime SFI bellhousing for my T56 Magnum. The bottom of it is rounded instead of flat. It's been self clearancing for a few thousand miles but next time I do a clutch or have the trans out, I'll be grinding it flat on the bottom.

[Motobrewmaster]

They are making a low profile one for LS/LT engines. https://www.holley.com/products/driv.../parts/RM-8019

[anguilla1980]

They are making a low profile one for LS/LT engines. https://www.holley.com/products/driv.../parts/RM-8019

Sucks they don't make that version for all engines they have their bell housing for.

[Alponcho]

Sucks they don't make that version for all engines they have their bell housing for.

Sure would be nice to have one for Pontiac powered cars. I'm in the same boat as you with my bell housing. I'm afraid it's going to catch on something and do some real damage. I was thinking about adding some sort of skid plate.

[CarlC]

4.5" at the header collector. Car is totally driveable from a ride height standpoint but still take my time going over the big speed bumps.

[dhutton]

Back in the day Frank from Prodigy stated 5” guarantees no rubbing. I shoot for 4” absolute minimum.

Don

[vette427-sbc]

Sure would be nice to have one for Pontiac powered cars. I'm in the same boat as you with my bell housing. I'm afraid it's going to catch on something and do some real damage. I was thinking about adding some sort of skid plate.

Why not just cut the bottom flange off flush to the “bell”? Unless you need it to be sfi cert...

[67-LS1]

The lowest part of my car is the bottom of the front K member at 3.5”. My exhaust, oil pan, transmission pan are all above this low point.

[Alponcho]

Why not just cut the bottom flange off flush to the “bell”? Unless you need it to be sfi cert...

I hadn't considered that option. To make it worthwhile, I would have to eliminate the 4 bolts on the bottom. Wonder how that would impact the integrity of the unit?

[anguilla1980]

That's what I've planned on doing since it's been self-clearancing there anyway. I don't see how not having those bottom bolts would cause a problem. From the factory, there are no bolts on the bottom.

[vette427-sbc]

It’s to secure the block plate to the bell so that clutch parts can’t exit the bottom... I cut every scattershield I’ve ever installed in a lowered car (with the owners consent of course). I’ve been in a car that grabbed a manhole cover with that bottom edge... not a good feeling!