Ride Height problem...please advise.

[trapin]

Take a look at the first pic (taken last Summer). This is the ride height of the rear of the car. The tires are 26" tall on 17" wheels. The springs are DS&E 3" drop springs (loosely installed). There's roughly 3.5 inches from the top of the tire to the wheel lip. How much can I expect this gap to decrease when the engine/trans/gas tank with gas and interior is installed? How much will the springs settle? As it stands I'm thinking about running a 2" lowering block to start out with and then trimming the block to adjust the height later. I have heard that going over a 1" block will cause some kind of ride problem....what problem would this be? Wheel hop?. If so, will a set of Cal-Track bars correct this? I should point out (in pic 2) that I am using DS&E's mono-to-multi leaf conversion kit. The aluminum blocks you see pictured I am having duplicated and made taller so that they saddle the entire side of the 2" block from top to bottem. The 2" blocks and duplicates of the DS&E blocks are billet aluminum and NOT cast.

Talk to me. Thanks guys.

[CAMAROBOY69]

I swear no one gets the car as low as they want buying aftermarket springs. I am soo glad I de-arched mine for only $60.00. Sorry Tony but dang I would not be happy with it sitting that high considering you ordered the 3" drop kit. You might end up de-arching them anyway to get it lower.

[baz67]

Tony, there is no wieght in the car. I would be impossible to see how it will sit now.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We put 350 to 400 lbs of sand bags in the trunk when a car is striped to get a completed ride height. Figure glass, tank, interior, fuel, bumpers, etc.

[TitoJones]

This might help you feel better:
DSE 3" drop leafs , early construction of car:


Saqme leafs, after constuction, and with a 1" lowering block:



Tyler

[trapin]

How tall are the wheels? Are those 18's? I have 17's on my car.

Got anymore pics....that car is sweet looking.

[SickSpeedMonte]

The wheel size doesnt really matter, just notice the difference between the two pictures he posted. He is probably running close to the same tire diameter as you are anyway.

I dont see how those are 3" lower than stock though. Maybe with the 1" block, but not without.

[TitoJones]

Tony-
Wheels are Fikse Profile 5's, 17x9.5 in the rear. 275/40/YR/17 tire mounted on them.

Tyler

[DJW32]

Tyler,
That is a total of 4" 's i the rear? If so, Damn!

[TitoJones]

4 inches from factory ride height. It is LOOOOOOOWWWW.

Tyler

[trapin]

More pics if you got em. That thing looks straight.

[Steve Chryssos]

Tony,
Your 3" springs will be darn near flat when fully laden. And I'll bet if you look at your rear shackles, they are damn near vertical right now. With a load on, they'll be pointed rearward. Just put it out of your mind for now.

Trust me

[rockdogz]

Tony, I have the exact same setup, 3" DSE springs and 17" wheels. I've been told that it will take time for the springs to settle. They've been on for about a year (while the car has been at the paint shop) but with no weight in the rear. I plan to get 300 lbs or so of sand or cement bags and put them in the trunk for a while to get it down plus the full gas tank, and then after that will explore lowering blocks if necessary.

[ahowudoin]

just bag it and be done

[harshman]

figure ride height as the last step. finish the car and let the springs settle. then cut or add blocks as needed. take into account who is riding with you (kids?) prior to droping.

[DJW32]

Tyler,
Do you have the specs on that car? It's nice

[TitoJones]

Tyler,
Do you have the specs on that car? It's nice

Rather than pollute this thread with a 4 page build sheet, why don't you ask me specifics, and I can answer them.

Tyler

[wendell]

With an unpainted shell, I think you're jumping the gun in stressing over ride height. That said, I've run 1 1/4 blocks and even with Hoosier TDs there was no wheel hop. Shock tuning can overcome the leaver arm that the lowering block is introducing.

[vanzuuk1]

It seems that ride height is a journey, not a destination. Focus on the other stuff and get back to it later when the car is on the road, as long as the front is not higher then the rear.

[trapin]

Thanks for the advice guys. The sand bag idea I think is a good one. But I'll wait until it's back from paint to do that. If I need them, I will have the 2" blocks that I can chop down if needed for later. I will start with the ride height the way it is and then work my way down from there. Thanks again.