how low can you go without air? - Lateral-g Forums

speedshftr · #1 08-23-2009, 06:54 AM

how low can you go without air ride
im building a 68 cam and i simply cant swing an air system at this time.can i get that air ride low look without it?iu dont care about u turns or a few scrapes from rubbing.i just want that low mean ass look.is it possible or am i dreaming?

DRJDVM's '69 · #2 08-23-2009, 09:18 AM

It can be done no problem...but you will be miserable on the road. It will look bad ass sitting still but it will get real old real fast actually driving the car. Every small pothole or bump in the road

Thats the beauty of Air Ride.... you can have the best of both worlds

pro-tour79 · #3 08-23-2009, 06:14 PM

that low look coms from dropping the air bags and can't be driven that way so I would not chase the impossible

novanutcase · #4 08-23-2009, 06:18 PM

Depends on how low you wanna go....

I'm sure there is a breaking point, depending on your wheel size and tire width, where you'll be rubbing so where ever that is is your lowest point.

If you aren't concerned with that and are able to live with it then you can probably get it REALLY low. Just make sure you plan before parking in a parking lot. Those Y turns are gonna be a b!tch!!!!

John

JRouche · #5 08-23-2009, 06:28 PM

You can lower a car and be correct with the suspension geometry, as low as you want to go. But that big bucks. Takes new frame mounts for ALL the suspension components, including steering, maybe a new frame.

The air ride setup still has ONE ride height. Just like any suspension setup. The only diff is you can lower it for parked situations. But you cant drive it like that. You take up alot of VALUABLE bump travel when lowering it with air. So what ends up happening is you run the risk of hitting the shocks internal bumps if you dont have frame mounted bump stops. Not good, hit them too often or too often and you will hurt the shock. And Im going off the assumption the shockwave shocks have an internal bump cushion.

If you want to get that nice low look there are ways to do it on the cheap but the car wont drive worth a crap. Like cutting or heating the springs. Or putting shorter springs in there. Talk about a bad ride. The control arms will be pointed in a compression cycle when at ride height. Same with the steering. And your travel will be lost, expect a lot of hard landings.

It is difficult to get a lower ride height without spending some money. And yes, you can do it. Air ride IS expensive. But it also wont get you a lower ride height.

New frame mounting locations with the new control arms and springs can do it. Dropped spindles can do it really quick with the same components in place. But that only looks at the front. The rear?? Oh so many possibilities. Air ride does not give you a lower ride height. Not just my words, ask them. JR

cluxford · #6 08-23-2009, 07:04 PM

I'll have my 68 sitting with the frame and exhausts 4" off the deck.

This will be it's ride height.

As others have said, takes some time and $$

Full custom 4 link rear with this ride height in mind. Custom tubs to allow enough rear wheel travel in the tub sitting that low.

AME from end with the top of the shock mounting tower raised 1.5" as standard from AMR would have only given it 1" of travel at that height, now it has 2.5" of travel.

As said it can be done, but it ain't easy.

Here is a pic of mine at ride height. Note front will be lower it's sitting up as all front sheet metal etc is off the car

gmjj13 · #7 08-24-2009, 10:53 AM

i went down 3" in the back and 4" in the front. i have about 4-5" of ground clearance, and this is my ride height. i'd love to go with air ride or something similar, but that'll be later down the road. i don't think i could go any lower and be comfortable with it...

Vegas69 · #8 08-24-2009, 11:02 AM

Do you want looks or performance and looks? I just don't understand not wanting a car to drive nice. That is the point of a car last time I checked. LOL

BeCool68 · #9 08-24-2009, 06:42 PM

The headers are another factor to consider i have run into especially if you run with 3" and long tube headers. block hugger headers are a option.

stance is everything i would agree, wheels and tires are a close second in my opinion try to do it right and do a lot of research on what best fits your budget.

i actually raised my car up a little after not being able to clear speedbumps and other raised concrete areas.

my personal favorite stance was following the body line to the top of the wheel in front and slight rake in the rear

Norm Peterson · #10 08-25-2009, 04:20 AM

As good a guideline as any can be found in the SCCA Solo rules for Prepared category cars. It may even be a legal road requirement in some areas (or something quite similar). Either way, it makes sound, logical sense, and if it's good enough for a real production-based competition car . . .

Quote:

No part of the bodywork or chassis, to the rear of the front wheel opening, shall touch the ground when both tires on the same side of the car are deflated.

Obviously, clearance to things like front spoilers and exhaust systems is open to whatever any given individual is comfortable with (and how many times the need for repairs will be tolerated - I started getting tired of making new chassis side brackets for a low-mounted aftermarket front sta-bar on a long-ago car after I'd had to do so two or three times).

Norm