68 lemans newbie

[lemans68]

Just needed advice. I want a low ride stance and was wondering if I can do it. I believe when i first purchased the car, the stock springs were cut. It looks like a 3" drop. Im very new at this and want to know if anyone can give me tips. I still have drum brakes all around. Can i just purchase some 18,19, or even 20" wheels and just get air ride suspension? .

[chevelletiger]

the low ride looks cool but could affect performance.what are you shooting for?a 3" drop is pretty low for and performane handling abody.if your looking for some lowering springs im switching over to coil overs and wont be needing them the drop springs i have so there up for sale.post a pic of how low a look you want to gage the drop your after.phil

[compos mentis]

Welcome. :

Agreed on posting a pic or 2.

[BMR Sales]

Welcome to the site and great pick on the car BTW... before I suggest anything I usually ask a few questions before I make any suggestions to determine the best possible bang for the buck.

I think many guys spend more than they need or will use. I pride myself in asking as many questions as possible before making a decision on what is best for the customers hard earned money.


First question is what do you have for goals for the car once it is done? Is it going to be a factory restoration, daily driver/weekend cruiser, weekend warrior/drag car, Pro-Touring/handling machine, etc.

Second question is do you need and/or plan to improve the braking & steering systems to compliment any suspension upgrades?

Third question is do you have a specific budget in mind?

Lastly, do you plan to do the work yourself?




For the time being try to post a few pics of the car when you get a chance.

[UMI Tech]

Just needed advice. I want a low ride stance and was wondering if I can do it. I believe when i first purchased the car, the stock springs were cut. It looks like a 3" drop. Im very new at this and want to know if anyone can give me tips. I still have drum brakes all around. Can i just purchase some 18,19, or even 20" wheels and just get air ride suspension? .

Welcome to the board.

It's a good group of enthusiasts here.

Are you already at a 3" drop but want to get rid of the cut springs and replace with similar heights, but correct, components?

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...roducts_id=707

For brakes, there are a huge number of choices, depending on your budget. The most common is to do fronts first. Prices range from $600 for a basic Summit kit, then Kore 3, then Baer entry level, then Baer ultra deluxe...

And, as chevelltiger says, be wary of going too low or you can have some header smash issues. It all depends on how you're planning to drive the car.

Pics are always good to help us help you.

ramey

[lemans68]

the low ride looks cool but could affect performance.what are you shooting for?a 3" drop is pretty low for and performane handling abody.if your looking for some lowering springs im switching over to coil overs and wont be needing them the drop springs i have so there up for sale.post a pic of how low a look you want to gage the drop your after.phil

I am just looking to cruise. Here's my car which is the blue lemans and the red ss is how i would want my ride to look as far as ride stance. Hopefullly these pictures came out. I'm new at this.
.

[lemans68]

Welcome to the site and great pick on the car BTW... before I suggest anything I usually ask a few questions before I make any suggestions to determine the best possible bang for the buck.

I think many guys spend more than they need or will use. I pride myself in asking as many questions as possible before making a decision on what is best for the customers hard earned money.


First question is what do you have for goals for the car once it is done? Is it going to be a factory restoration, daily driver/weekend cruiser, weekend warrior/drag car, Pro-Touring/handling machine, etc.

Second question is do you need and/or plan to improve the braking & steering systems to compliment any suspension upgrades?

Third question is do you have a specific budget in mind?

Lastly, do you plan to do the work yourself?




For the time being try to post a few pics of the car when you get a chance.

Rich, thanks for the reply. My goals for this project is just aesthetic.The car has been pretty much restored to my liking already as far as interior. The motor is the original motor with about 80K on it. It does have basic bolt ons. Im not planning to autocross or drag. I just want to cruise.

AS far as brake and steering upgrades, i am not quite sure. If I need to to achieve the aesthetic look I want, then yes. Meaning that whatever it takes to create the ride stance and it being safe to drive in that stance since I am just cruising.

My budget would be in the vicinity of 3000 just for wheels tires and any other suspension components I need. I will attempt to do the work myself depending on the tools I will need to use. Anything out of my scope I will have to utilize some resources.

[lemans68]

Welcome to the board.

It's a good group of enthusiasts here.

Are you already at a 3" drop but want to get rid of the cut springs and replace with similar heights, but correct, components?

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalo...roducts_id=707

For brakes, there are a huge number of choices, depending on your budget. The most common is to do fronts first. Prices range from $600 for a basic Summit kit, then Kore 3, then Baer entry level, then Baer ultra deluxe...

And, as chevelltiger says, be wary of going too low or you can have some header smash issues. It all depends on how you're planning to drive the car.

Pics are always good to help us help you.

ramey

Ramey,
good advice on being too low. I do not really want to be too low but would like to have the nice tucked wheel as seen on that ss picture i posted along with my ride. I think that the wheel tucked in the well gives the lllusion of being low if if you really are not really .

[lemans68]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Looking forward to your thoughts.

[csouth]

I think you need to start taking into consideration what wheels you are going to use. You also know if you do 3" drop in the rear, you've pretty much used up all the suspension travel?

[lemans68]

Csouth, whats suspension travel? What do you mean. Again, sorry im as green as they get.

[UMI Tech]

Suspension travel is how far the suspension moves during use. If you lower the car too much to tuck the tires, the rubber bump stops get close to bottoming out. Then things start rubbing and your car becomes a go-kart.

[lemans68]

I see. So what suggestions do you have that can get me to have a ride stance such as the picture of the red ss? Suspension, wheel size, etc??

[csouth]

I'm thinking those are 22" wheels on the rear of that Chevelle. I gather you are mainly going for looks over performance? I would decide what you want your wheel and tire setup to be first, then do your suspension around that.

[lemans68]

Yes looks over performance. Do you have any idea what wheel specs i can go with without having any issues with back space and or rubbing. Without having to roll my fenders or minitubbing?

[lemans68]

Csouth, just looked at your project. Great build. Cant wait to see the end result. Im new to this forum and this community is so helpful. Its totally changing my take on my project. Hahha. I can almost feel my wallet getting thinner. Im pretty sure after i stop by the good guys car show in del mar california, that will be the straw that breaks the camels back. Hahha.

[csouth]

Yes looks over performance. Do you have any idea what wheel specs i can go with without having any issues with back space and or rubbing. Without having to roll my fenders or minitubbing?

On an 8.5" front wheel you'll probably need 5" bs and 5.5" bs on 10" rear. I've seen 5.75" bs on the rear too.

Csouth, just looked at your project. Great build. Cant wait to see the end result. Im new to this forum and this community is so helpful. Its totally changing my take on my project. Hahha. I can almost feel my wallet getting thinner. Im pretty sure after i stop by the good guys car show in del mar california, that will be the straw that breaks the camels back. Hahha.

Well Good Guys may leave you even more confused. My advice would be to set a budget if you haven't already. Most times you will go over, but at least you can have a starting point of how much you'd "like" to spend.

[BMR Sales]

can almost feel my wallet getting thinner. Im pretty sure after i stop by the good guys car show in del mar california, that will be the straw that breaks the camels back. Hahha.

With your budget for wheels/tires & suspension is not realistic with the type of wheels/tires you are looking at, but I can only suggest going with coilovers at all four corners to adjust the stance of the car to exactly what YOU want. They are more expensive than conventional coil springs and shocks, but they will improve the ride and give you the ability to put the stance where you want no matter the wheel tire combo.

[lemans68]

Thanks for the advice. I will look into the coilovers. Is there anything else I should consider with coilovers? Such as for them to be installed i would need to change other suspension or brake components or can they pretty much be installed with my stock components?

[marolf101x]

Air would be the way to go as you can set it really low when parked, but raise it up to drive so you have proper clearances and alignment.
However, air is the most expensive option.

Coil overs would be less money overall, but it may not get as low as you'd like. (remember, you have to have enough suspension travel so things don't bottom out and make the ride horrible. In the end you want a car that looks bad ass, but is still a pleasure to drive. If the drive-ability is sacrificed you'll be less likely to enjoy the car!)

We offer a complete bolt-in kit for either air or coil over. No one has more A-Body's on their parts than we do!
You can start by looking here:
http://www.ridetech.com/store/muscle...hash=V270.V328

When you have questions please feel free to call us up and discuss.