I wanted it low, but this is ridiculous. - Lateral-g Forums

PT Goat · #1 03-15-2008, 10:51 PM

Finally got my GTO on the ground and it's just too damn low up front. So low that I'm wondering if something is wrong. I've got 1.5" of ground clearance at my downpipes (with R/A manifolds, not even headers), and just about 2" at my scattershield. I can't get my low-pro aluminum jack under the frame or even past the front swaybar. That's low! It looks great, but I sure can't drive it this way.

Here's my current front setup: SPC upper and lower arms with Howe tall balljoints on stock spindles. Eibach springs and Hotchkis shocks (as recommended by SC&C). The balljoints lowered the car .75", springs are 1-2", and SPC lowers are 1", for a total advertised drop 2.75-3.75". To offset that, I've got .75" spacers on top of the springs and 1" of spacers in the SPC lowers. So I should only be looking at a 1-2" drop, and it's obviously much, much more. And I don't even have any front sheetmetal installed (no hood, fenders, inners, header panel, grilles, etc).

Right now, my upper control arms are at almost a 25-degree angle, which certainly doesn't look right. It's so low that the front sway bar is laying on the outer tie rods. I've got to do something - considering swapping to BB Hotchkis springs, but I might just reinstall the stock springs.

Thoughts?

Vegas69 · #2 03-16-2008, 12:33 AM

Air ride.....if you want it that low, that is your only alternative.

ccracin · #3 03-16-2008, 08:56 AM

What is the angle of the lower control arm? It sounds like the springs you have are either too soft or the free height is to short. Are you sure they are the right ones for the control arms you are using. This is one of the pit falls to piecing together a system, sometimes all the advertised numbers don't add up. If SC&C recommended springs, give them a call. Some others on here might correct me, but I like to start from the lower control arm. The line between the center point of rotation in the lower ball joint and the center point of rotation on the inner chassis mount should be level. This gives you very predictable movement in compression and rebound. Then start measuring pieces from there to see where the issue is. Another thing to look at is the shock wipe. Where are you in the shock travel as it is. If it's mostly compressed or the opposite it can tell you something as well. I can't tell you specifically what is wrong because I don't have any experience with these cars, but I'm sure someone will chime in shortly. Good Luck.

fesler · #4 03-16-2008, 09:08 AM

post some pictures so we can see

PT Goat · #5 03-16-2008, 01:47 PM

Took another look at things today, and took some pics. I think they speak for themselves that there is a problem here. Note the car is that low without any front sheetmetal. And almost 2" of spring spacers.

PT Goat · #6 03-16-2008, 01:49 PM

First pic shows distance from my swaybar to the ground - about 3.75" - obviously unacceptable. And that's with almost 2" of spacers on the front springs.

Second pic is of one of my other early GTOs - stock suspension, but also with a 1.25" front bar. That car has 10.5" of ground clearance at the front bar.

How could this front suspension possibly lower the car almost 10" over stock?

ccracin · #7 03-16-2008, 06:11 PM

It looks to me like the springs are simply too short. Check the springs you have in it compared to the stock ones as far as free height. Then check the depth of the sping pocket in the LCA's. The depth from line from the center of the ball joint to the center of rotation. Then check the stock ones. I didn't realize at first, but this is the same front clip I used in my race cars. I had 5" ride height with stock LCA, 79 Impala spindles, long Howe Ball Joint and 27" Tires. If you are using dropped spindles, springs, and arms, I might see what you have from that. Anyway take some measurements.

Ventoso · #8 03-16-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PT Goat

First pic shows distance from my swaybar to the ground - about 3.75" - obviously unacceptable. And that's with almost 2" of spacers on the front springs.

Second pic is of one of my other early GTOs - stock suspension, but also with a 1.25" front bar. That car has 10.5" of ground clearance at the front bar.

How could this front suspension possibly lower the car almost 10" over stock?

Well, you really didn't get 10 full inches of drop... That swaybar has a U-offset in it between the mounting hangers, so it's an exaggerated reading. As the suspension tucks up into the wheel wells, the swaybar points down further.

***Still a ton of drop and definitely not right though

impalatpi66 · #9 03-17-2008, 12:03 AM

air ride the car, or get larger rims 19, or 20's to raise the car a bit.

skatinjay27 · #10 03-17-2008, 11:21 PM

wow look at that LCA angle... deff not right...no you dont need air ride to fix it and (above post) even if he puts taller wheel on the the suspension geometry sux!... im a lil surprised marcus would reccomend those springs...i have seen many many unhappy purchasers of eibach springs for older cars... and have heard of people installing them and it doing what it did like yours and also seen they ride sky high!!! i have eibach in my 4th gen and love them though... like said above you just need taller springs.