Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

which set of lowering springs?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-12-2006, 09:22 PM
  #1  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
maroon88iroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: mid GA
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI w/ l98 cam
Transmission: T5 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.45 posi disc 9 bolt
which set of lowering springs?

alright im having a hard time figuring out what springs i want. i know i want at least a 1.75 drop front and rear but would prefer 2 inch or more. i know everyone recommends eibach but their sportline springs are 1 inch front and rear and they pro kit is 1.6 front and 1.3 rear. i want it to be lower than that.

canuck motorsports= 1.6 drop front and rear and about $175

intrax= 2" front and rear and a little over $200

eibach sportline=1.6" front 1.3" rear and about $250

eibach prokit= 1" front and rear and about $250

sprint= 1.75" front and rear and about $215

dropzone= 1.75 front and rear and less than $150

zenn= 1.7" front and rear and less than $150

anyone have any expierence with any of these? let me know if i left any out thats all i could find but im sure there is more. idealy i would like to stay under $200 and get as close to a 2" drop as possible and having a firm comforatable ride. let me know your suggestions.

Last edited by maroon88iroc; 02-15-2006 at 03:51 PM.
Old 02-12-2006, 09:41 PM
  #2  
Member
 
Airpak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1982 Camaro Z28
Engine: 350
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt auburn posi 3.73
you got the prokit n sportlines backward. the sportlines lower 1.6 n 1.3 n the prokit lowers 1".
Old 02-12-2006, 10:40 PM
  #3  
Member
 
bulletboy29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: '87 Camaro SC
Engine: 305 LG4
Transmission: 700r4
Don't buy Zenn lowering springs. The rear springs are too soft and made my car sit too low in the rear. I had to put my stock rear springs back on. Front looks great, but the rear springs dropped it down about 3". Wish I had bought the dropzones.
Old 02-13-2006, 06:26 AM
  #4  
Supreme Member
 
CrazyHawaiian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Changing Tires
Posts: 5,675
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: too many ...
I've tried both Eibachs, I personally prefer the Pro-Kit even though its the mild drop between the two kits. I didnt like the SportLines because IMO the rates are a little too soft for the ride height and the rake is too extreme. But again, thats just my personal opinion.

I think you should ask yourself what the application will be. Along with the ride height you should also be looking into spring rate. You wanna make sure the ride isn't gonna be too harsh or too soft (per your personal preferance), and it has to be a good match for the shocks/struts (or vice versa). Some springs are linear meaning a static rate, some are progressive meaning a range of rates. So if you have a preferance there then be sure to consider that.
Old 02-13-2006, 02:37 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
maroon88iroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: mid GA
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI w/ l98 cam
Transmission: T5 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.45 posi disc 9 bolt
well i want it to be a firm ride but i really would like about a 2" drop. im really doing it more for looks than performance but since im buying them id like to get a little of both. i have V6 springs i cut to lower my car and it looks great but is too low and a pretty rough ride. does anyone know the stock ride height for an 88 iroc? that would help tremendously. that way i can measure to see about how low it will be with each type of spring.
Old 02-14-2006, 05:30 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
maroon88iroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: mid GA
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI w/ l98 cam
Transmission: T5 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.45 posi disc 9 bolt
ttt... still trying to decide. thinking about intrax. anyone have those and would like to share how they like them?
Old 02-14-2006, 09:13 PM
  #7  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,291
Likes: 0
Received 405 Likes on 309 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
I have read more bad things about intrax than good things. If you indeed want a 2" drop with a quality spring than I would look harder at the sportlines.
Attached Thumbnails which set of lowering springs?-dsc00044.jpg  
Old 02-15-2006, 03:50 PM
  #8  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
maroon88iroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: mid GA
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI w/ l98 cam
Transmission: T5 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.45 posi disc 9 bolt
the sportlines arent a 2" drop though they are like 1.6" front 1.3" rear. what bad things have you heard about intrax? thats what im looking at getting i found a used set for pretty cheap.
Old 02-16-2006, 06:07 PM
  #9  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
SnkSknrZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 561
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1988 Camaro IROC-Z
my buddy has intrax springs, they lower it really nice, loos really good, the ride is pretty rough tho.. He likes them, i would prefer something else, i think i'm going with the sportlines myself.

INTRAX





MJ

Last edited by SnkSknrZ28; 02-16-2006 at 06:14 PM.
Old 02-16-2006, 07:47 PM
  #10  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,291
Likes: 0
Received 405 Likes on 309 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Originally posted by maroon88iroc
the sportlines arent a 2" drop though they are like 1.6" front 1.3" rear.
No they are near a 2" drop. Just like I said before. Does it have to be exactly 2"? You want to leave a little room for suspension travel and 26" tall tires.
Old 02-17-2006, 02:02 AM
  #11  
Supreme Member
 
CrazyHawaiian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Changing Tires
Posts: 5,675
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: too many ...
If you want to slam the car I say go with weight jacks and custom length/rate springs like I did. This way you can get the spring rates you want and the ride height is adjustable. If you aren't down to spend that much, you can still go the custom spring route. 2" is pretty low for a street car.
Old 02-17-2006, 07:38 AM
  #12  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
SnkSknrZ28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 561
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1988 Camaro IROC-Z
Originally posted by CrazyHawaiian
If you want to slam the car I say go with weight jacks and custom length/rate springs like I did. This way you can get the spring rates you want and the ride height is adjustable. If you aren't down to spend that much, you can still go the custom spring route. 2" is pretty low for a street car.
Where would u find something like that, who did u buy that through, i'd like to check it out. What kind of prices are we talking about? Doing it this way can u actually get it to lower down and ride like stock?

Thanks, MJ
Old 02-17-2006, 08:54 AM
  #13  
Supreme Member

 
Dewey316's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Portland, OR www.cascadecrew.org
Posts: 6,577
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1990 Camaro RS
Engine: Juiced 5.0 TBI - 300rwhp
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Eaton Posi, 10 Bolt
Ground-Control makes the weight jack system.

Personaly, I would get the G-C front setup, but get the all-star rear perches, then you can use a standard 5" spring in the rear, instead of the pig-tail spring. Their rear mount seems a little more strudy then the G-C one.

Try calling Strano parts (www.stranoparts.com), Sam Jr. will get you hooked up with the right setup, if you are wanting to go with weight jacks.
Old 02-17-2006, 11:38 AM
  #14  
Member

 
Souseless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 89 WS6
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt T2R w/ 3:23
If memory serves me right it is about 450 for the weight jack set up. I have the ground control versions. If you want to slam it get 8" springs. I will be going to 9.5" springs to get my car up a bit. I got mine from Strano's and I buy many parts from there.
Old 02-17-2006, 04:49 PM
  #15  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
maroon88iroc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: mid GA
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 305 TPI w/ l98 cam
Transmission: T5 5-speed
Axle/Gears: 3.45 posi disc 9 bolt
yes i have read a little bit about the weight jacks setup and it would be ideal for me but i cant afford that right now.

SnkSknrZ28 that iroc looks sweet. i am a little worried about the ride i dont want it to be too rough b/c thats part of the reason i am getting new springs the springs on there now that i cut are pretty rough.

does anyone have any pics of the sportline kit? i wouldnt mind getting those i mean 1.6" is fine for me but i dont want the car to have a rake i want it to be the same front and back.
Old 06-06-2006, 06:19 AM
  #16  
Junior Member
 
KniteWulfe's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Korea/Wisconsin
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 Firebird, (miss my 87 Formula)
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Originally Posted by ShiftyCapone
I have read more bad things about intrax than good things. If you indeed want a 2" drop with a quality spring than I would look harder at the sportlines.
Sorry to resurrect this thread but it seemed kinda inconclusive ShiftyCapone, was that image you attached to that post with the sportlines? I am considering those too, but I'm also worried about the rake. maroon88iroc did you end up getting a lowering kit or are you still looking?

Also, has anyone heard of the tenzo lowering springs? They are pretty cheap on ebay (like $120 shipped) but I can't find any info about the spring rates or anything... I'll probably stay away from them and go with eibach since I am more confident in their quality. So then I'm stuck deciding between sportlines and pro-kit.
Old 06-06-2006, 06:16 PM
  #17  
Member

 
Vaneat-91RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: A/T
And what has anyone heard about Tenzo or hotchkis lowering springs?

Thanks.
Old 06-06-2006, 06:35 PM
  #18  
Supreme Member

 
laiky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,587
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
2 things to keep in mind considering that 3rd gens don't have much suspension travel to begin with, lowering a 3rd gen 2" will greatly reduce your available suspension travel. So you either get nice soft springs and slam into the bumpstops as you cruise around or you get really firm springs and get bounced around by the rate. Unless you live in glassy smooth road land a lowered 3rd gen will have a rough ride. Either way you must have premium struts, because your going to need some serious compression damping to stop the sloppy soft (in my experience eibach pro-kit) springs from hitting the stops or some serious rebound to damp the really stiff springs. The best setup i've experienced is the guldstrand kit. i have a good deal of experience with the slalom coils, the rears might need a slight trim.
Old 06-06-2006, 06:40 PM
  #19  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (3)
 
RU-QWIK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Central Coast Calif.
Posts: 2,635
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 91' Camaro
Engine: 383 ci
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt / 3:70
I am plenty happy with my sportlines.... ( see sig ) I put this set in my car around 1993 or 94' and have had no trouble...

Jason

Last edited by RU-QWIK; 06-06-2006 at 06:41 PM. Reason: sig
Old 06-06-2006, 09:44 PM
  #20  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (45)
 
Stevo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: Pair of 92 Z28s
Originally Posted by KniteWulfe
So then I'm stuck deciding between sportlines and pro-kit.
See i kinda wish i went sportlines now, because either way i scrape every god damn thing with my pro-kit now and i have trouble getting a jack under the car anyway so what the hell i shoulda slammed the car. I like the pro-kit other then the rake, i jsut removed the insulators from the back and got it down about a 1/4". I would be happy if i could get to lowered about another 1/4" but ill live with it.

If you have stock struts/shocks think about getting new ones soon. Lowering your car on factory shocks/struts will kill them fast. I run big tires on the back and the thing scrapes alot over 40mph on any big bump in the road.

I like the pro-kit more then i dislike it though. If big dips/steep driveways and/or getting a jack under your car is not a concern or a problem then get the sportlines. Its just a pain when you jack your car up frequently like myself. Plus it gets stuck on the drive on wheel alignment racks, and i can only fit 3 arms of a lift under the car.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
customblackbird
Suspension and Chassis
4
08-15-2021 10:16 PM
Orr89RocZ
Power Adders
206
04-25-2016 08:28 AM
sailtexas186548
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
10
08-26-2015 03:32 PM
1988iroc350tpi
Tech / General Engine
8
08-14-2015 07:52 PM



Quick Reply: which set of lowering springs?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:53 AM.