hotchkis front springs aren't low enough on 2nd gen - Lateral-g Forums

72OBSESSED · #1 03-08-2008, 09:43 PM

I'm building a 72' RS and I just put the hotchkis front springs but they aren't low enough. I have already installed the DSE 3" drop in the rear and the car isn't sitting right. What would be my best solution? drop spindles? i want it low, but i want it all to work right. any suggested manufacturers? the belltech's are cheap so i was leaning toward them. i'm going to be running wilwood 12.19" rotors and budnik 18x8's in the front.

Vince@Meanstreets · #2 03-08-2008, 10:26 PM

They can be trimmed to your liking. I'd go a half turn at a time and use a saw-z-all or die grinder with cut off wheel.

72OBSESSED · #3 03-08-2008, 10:35 PM

i thought about just doing that. but since i'm putting big brakes on it do i need to replace the stock spindle anyways? i just don't want to put the spindles in and then the car becomes too low and i smack the headers off everything. i also don't want to go back to the jacked up rear end look but now just lower

zbugger · #4 03-09-2008, 01:50 AM

How about this. Tell me what you've done to the front end of the car outside of the suspension. Engine, body, that kind of thing. Just so you know, Hotchkis cut the front of their springs after installing an LS1 in their project car to get it to sit right. They were designed on a stock body, all iron small block car. Any sort of parts to make the front end lighter will make the front end sit higher. Oh yeah, and they were also designed with their on 1.5" drop rear leafs in mind. I haven't checked any cars out with the Hotchkis fronts and more than the 2" rear drop springs in back.

72OBSESSED · #5 03-09-2008, 03:26 AM

first of all thanks for the help guys. i'm really enjoying the website.

the car isn't far from stock just a few simple mods. 350/375hp, built 700r4 w/b&m ratchet shifter, aluminum rad, march pulley system, hooker headers billet oil pan, msd hei, DSE frame connectors, DSE 3" rear leafs, and now hotchkis sway bars and front springs. and when i get the budnik ice 18x10 and 18x8's i have wilwood 4 piston dynalite's front and rear. car doesn't have paint and interior yet, only a dash with a set of autometer gauges.

i know paint and interior add alot of weight. the stance is just way off now. i know something has to be done i just don't know to what extreme.

zbugger · #6 03-09-2008, 12:42 PM

Did you install the springs yourself? Is there any way to post a picture of the car?

72 RS/SS · #7 03-09-2008, 01:20 PM

I had the same problem on mine when I installed Hotchkis lowering springs in front. Barely went down at all and I just couldn't live with it so I cut one full coil off to drop it 1.5-2" lower and now it sits perfect for me.
I'm also running a sbc with iron heads. It has an aluminum radiator w/twin elec. fans. The suspension is new but stock except for a fatter sway bar.

72OBSESSED · #8 03-09-2008, 02:37 PM

perfect, that is my exact situation. how is the ride after the mod? they are wound so they sit flat.. i'm just wondering where and how you cut them exactly? you say one full coil, your height is what i think i'm going for.. could you post a picture? what are you running in the rear?

Vince@Meanstreets · #9 03-10-2008, 03:38 AM

I'd wait till the car is all together and driven for at least week. Then cut the coils with a saw-z-all or die grinder. Remember 1/2 coil at a time.

72OBSESSED · #10 03-10-2008, 09:40 AM

thanks for all the advice guys.. i'll post some pictures when i get it painted.