big problem varishocks
 

today i will do my first testdriving with the new suspension in my camino.
lower a arms from spohn and varishock coil overs 575lbs.
the first problem when i will move out of my garage: steering ! i can not steering easy:(
back on the car lift and i can see the tie-rods both side scrups on the chassis.
the next what i see and feel: no damping and absorbing, and i see the problem.
the lower a arm bumps on the chassis.
this pic is shot with the jack under the front end
http://www.chevy-elcamino.com/varishock2.jpg
what is the problem ? is the spring rate too low ?
when i install the new parts, the camino comes 2" lower than before:question:

I think what you're saying is that the ride height simply needs to be raised.

scott
thats what i´m think. but with the coil overs i can only down not up.
the springs are too short ?:_paranoid

Really? You're out of adjustment, can't raise the ride height more? If that's the case, and you're on the bump stops, you definitely have the wrong free length spring.

It sounds like you need to get taller springs. BTW - like the frame mounted air horns!

hmm, i think so.
i send marcus a email, and we will wait again.
the old stock a-arms with the hotchkis springs have a straight line under the car, the new spohn arms have a angle up !
i will post later new pics.

hmm, markus send me now a mail.
mark says:

You`ve got the ride height set WAY too
low. The suspension is bottomed out. Add some preload to the ride height
adjusters.


when i give more pre-load, the spring have no more space for working.
the coil windings are for the moment narrow nearby:_paranoid

This is all part of putting a really adjustable suspension in a car. You need to adjust it. The motion ratio of the coil over is such that 1/2" of coil over travel equals about 1" of wheel travel. On a lowered car we don`t have much jounce travel left so the coil over shows even less. That looks funny to people at first but as long as the coils aren`t actually touching at any point (coil bind) you`re fine. Using a longer spring would mean that it`s compressed height is also higher and it would coil bind before the shock has used it`s full travel. It`s permissible to use a 1" coil spring preload spacer and it`s sometimes a handy tuning aid but it shouldn`t be necessary with 575lb/in springs on a small block G body. We can`t help without enough information though. We need more info as far as where the lower seat is (can`t see it in the pic). Posting threads like this before the client has even spoken to the vendor is almost always counter productive because you end up with a lot of wild speculation from (well meaning) people who have never worked with the system before. It just muddys the water and makes it harder to get things done. It`s best done after the tuning is done,then it can be a help to others. Mark SC&C

hi markus,
i have you now send a mail with pics.
adjust is not the problem, the problem are the spohn arms.
i have now the springs fully compressed, for the arms can free moving.

chassis grinding is the next:(

yeep, here is the problem
first pic, under the car, springs fully compressed.
messurement from centerbolt to a-arm
http://www.chevy-elcamino.com/0P1020504.jpg

second pic
old a-arm, messurement from a-arm to centerbolt

http://www.chevy-elcamino.com/0P1020507.jpg

difference 0.7":(