Rich (DaddySS) and I have been "collaborating" on springs, etc. A question came up with regard to SLP's "Level One" Bilstein suspension. Here's a link to an SLP Post
...anyone with any insight on this??
Posted by chrisL (Member # 97) on :
looks like Jeff got you your answers.
the SLP Performance Parts pkg is the "old" Bilstein pkg that was OE on 98-early00 cars.
I am running the SLP Performance Parts Level One SLP Bilstein package on my SS. I went that route since I didn't want/need the larger sway bars.
But I did cut 1/2 a loop off the front spring.
Posted by WeaSSel (Member # 902) on :
My car was built in Jan. 2000. It came w/ the Y2Y option and the Bilstein suspension. I always thought I had Eibach springs, but after reading the post out at the SLP board, it looks like that's not true. I have SLP progressive rate sprins and Bilstien shocks valved to match them.
My question is...how do I lower the front of my car 1 - 1.5 inches from where it is now?
It may just be my imagination, but it seems like the car has less of a rake than it did 3 years ago. It's almost like the rear has sunken a bit.
I really want the stance I see on so many cars these days...like the Intimidator SS, Hot Rod SS, etc.
Do you guys know what springs I need to change up front w/ out causing a mis-match in my shocks and sway bars?
Thanks, Ryan
Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :
It most likely is not your imagination that your rear end looks lower than it did three years ago. This is something that I have experienced with my car with both Hotchkis and Global West springs (race spring rate with ride height adjusters). I had the Hotchkis springs replaced under their warranty, but went with Global West springs in order to use their ride height adjusters (front and rear). Over the last two years, I have had to raise the adjusters to maintian the car's stance (slight rake up to the back). It is now to the point where I have raised them almost two inches and the springs will soon need to be replaced.
I have also noticed that a lot of older F-bodies (i.e. third gen's) look like they are dragging their butts due to collapsed rear springs.
I believe this is inherit in the chassis design and the spring rates used at the rear. The rear springs are actually very soft (anywhere from say 100 lb/in to say 200 lb/in). This means that the springs must compress A LOT (in the order of 7+ inches) to hold up the back of the chassis. I believe that the resultant amount of "twist" in the spring material causes the metal to fatigue over time, and let's the car settle.
So, as I see it, there are two routes to fix it. Replace the springs or use ride height adjusters under the springs.
Bill M 98 TA
Posted by chrisL (Member # 97) on :
quote:Originally posted by WeaSSel: My car was built in Jan. 2000.
you are borderline with the change over they did. you may have the 35/21 sway bar bilstein.
as far as not being eibach's. they are built to the same tolerances as eibach used.
Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
Ryan, ...about how to lower the front, ...this is the big question. Since I was after the same, ...this is where I started looking into all of this, ...and come to find that (many) others have as well. You can change springs, or cut your fronts to lower it. I'm in the middle of 'experimenting' with this right now..., I will post results when complete. If you have any questions, feel free to email kevink7@hotmail.com, or reply to this post as many others have (and continue to) help(ed) me along the way.
Kevin
Posted by WeaSSel (Member # 902) on :
Great information! Now I'm convinced the car has settled some in back
Kevin, I'm very interested in what you find. I look forward to your posts and I'll come back here with anything I dig up.
My initial thoughts are that it would be better to buy new springs rather than cut my existing ones. I want to maintain the correct geometry and I want to make sure the return rates of the spring matches the sway bar....at least I think that's important.
Armed with the answers to this issue and the results of DaddySS and his way-cool 315's swap I could spend a lot of money this summer.
Ryan
Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :
If you get new springs you may want to consider the Global West springs and adjustable ride height collars. This way you can adjust the ride height to whatever you want and get the exact spring rate you want to match your sway bar setup.
They have been on my car for over two years (year round driver) and I have no complaints......other than the issue of collapsing rear springs. But I think that is going to happen no matter want springs are on the car.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)