TomP

I've got four options to choose from:

Intrax, part # INT-25-1-004. V8 springs. Lowers front by 2", rear by 1.8", progressive rate, $190 from Summit. http://www.intraxsuspension.com/

Eibach pro-kit, part #EIB-3801-140. V8 springs. Lowers front by 1", rear by 1", progressive, $240 from Summit. http://www.eibach.com

Eibach sportline kit, part #EIB-4-0138. V8 springs. Lowers front by 1.6", rear by 1.3", progressive but might be linear, $230 from Summit. http://www.eibach.com

Suspension Techniques (BellTech), part #STQ-60115. V6 springs! Lowers front by 1", rear by 1", progressive, not listed in Summit's catalog. Autosportz.com (!?!!?) wants $232.88. Summit wants $180 for V8 springs (STQ-60110). http://www.belltechcorp.com (go under Products/Downloads & Links to get the appliation guide for Suspension Techniques).

I'm leaning towards Suspension Techniques because they're meant for v6's. Next choice would be the Sportlines. The Prolines are, I think, more progressive because they advertise a soft "normal" ride. I'd rather have a hard ride all the time- thus, the Sportlines.

Joe_L

I was just wondering if there is an advantage to lowering springs over drop spindles?

I know you can buy drop spindles for the front followed by lower springs for the rear. This way I see an elimination of Finding V-6 lowering springs, or cuttin v-8 springs for the front. This has been an issue for some time. But I just see buying drop spindles more feasable for the lowered look.

88CamaroKid

I havent thrown on lower springs... yet! But if I was you, I would go for the Suspension Techniques b/c they're meant for the V6! Not a bad price either.. keep us updated on what you go for, I want to lower my Camaro and I'm not sure what to go for either!!

AGood2.8

I would suggest going with the Sportline Eibachs and trim a half coil at most off the fronts to compensate for the lighter weight motor

-or-

If you don't want to trim or cut springs then go with the Sportline front with the 1.6" V8 drop( will sit you about 1" lower only with a V6) and go with the Prokit springs in the rear 1" drop whether its on a V6 or V8 they are the same in the rear.

EDIT: This is equivalent to what old school vintage racers would do by using stiffer big block springs with a half coil cut off placed in a small block car. You will need a decent set of road race shocks to dampen the higher spring rate- stock shocks or equivalent will not have enough rebound force for stiffer springs to ride well. Dong-dong-dong down the road- we've all seen this.

eric17422001

Yes, the "ding dong-ding dong" we have been suffering with our '91 RS that the prior owner cut the stock coils on, the fronts have four could boosters stuck in them as they were cut "too far" and the rears bottom out on the shocks. They also took out the isolators. We have 24 13/16" from ground to innner fender lip front and 24/ 11/16 rear. This is with 225/60/16's on 16X8 flat spoke Z-28 rims.

I am going with the SPortlines, the Susp. techniques don't offer enough of a drop. Still want it low, but they will still (sportlines) make it within 3/4 of an inch of what it is. I may have to trim the front coils a tad, go to the suspension and drivetrain board, others have done it.

Go do a search on my post "Pic test" and you'll see a pic of the car showing how low it is.

Eric

CC_HotRod

Man I wish I would have kept those spring rates I got!!!
I have been thinking about lowering springs also and couldn't find any that I didn't want to spend a fourtune on.
A local suspension shop gave me spring rates on the different springs and if I remember correctly the springs for the 4 cylinder was pretty close to the ratings on the lowering springs for the 6 I found on the internet. A heck of a lot cheaper too. You may want to research that option.

TomP

Yeah, there's no way I want to go around cutting springs. Cutting a linear spring is bad enough, cutting a progressive rate spring- ouch. Plus, I'm not after a slammed look; just want to get the car a bit lower. The air shocks are getting dumped this summer; it's time to change the look of the '86. The back's been raised up since 1994!

Found a message from one guy on the Suspension board that removed the factory isolator, and put a piece of garden hose over that end of the spring to prevent metal-to-metal squeaks. Sounds like a hell of an idea. I should hunt him down and ask him how the hose has been holding up.

I figure any of these lowering springs will make my car lower than brand-new factory springs. In fact it'd be nice if I could "at least" get the same ride height I have now, with these high-mileage springs.

krazycracka55

i got some drop zone springs off EBAY for 89.99$$
115$$ after s&h
and i dont possibly see how u can jus throw em on, maybe the back but looking at the frontm from what im seeing i got to drop the control arms and a lot more crap up there and i dont know what they hell im doing, my dad tells me after all that the spring will lose compression and go in any which way! YIKES!
ive done lowering springs b4 on some imports but those were struts!
easy of easy on
anybody have a srep through of how to do the springs
MINE will be here by the end of the week

pictures would be nice

WaynesRS

my back is lowerd but my front is stock height ...How did I do this ? I got my struts changed in the front about 3 years ago or so and never have changed my rear shocks , and they prabably need changing because my rear sits lower in the back .

It's almost ghetto looking . But , when it gets ghetto looking , I'll be changing em !

TomP

I'll also be replacing every bit of the car's front suspension, so putting the springs on will be "Just" throwing them on.

As for pictures, the $15 haynes manual has some, as does the $90 GM service manual. You'll need more than pictures, you'll also need torque specs; also in both books.

LT1guy

iTrader: (1)

On Redraif's car, we used Eibach Pro Kit springs, but had to cut a half coil off the fronts to get the nose out of the air (looked like a V8 car with no engine in it). While I wouldn't cut a worn out original spring, there is no problem cutting an aftermarket or new spring as long as you don't go too crazy with it. We cut it with a zizz wheel, minimizing heat. In the future, I'd just use the Sportlines.

Dale

iTrader: (12)

I noticed on s10 springs (almost same design as camaro) you can cut about 5/8 to 3/4 of a coil off w/o effecting the ride. Once you get past that point, it really started to get that bounce back in it.


I have always wondered if s10 drop coil springs would work in the camaro, and give it the proper drop.

eric17422001

I'm still running my four cylinder coils in my V8 s-10, they lowered the truck about two inches in the front, (actually, intalling the engine lowered it) I used 2" blocks to level out the rear. It's way too bOuNcY! Once you hit some dip-and-patch on the interstate at 75 or so you slow down in a hurry! I need to get some extended cab V6 coils and cut them to give me the hieght I need. But then I'd have to tear the front end all apart. Then I'd have to replace everything. After I re-roof the porch, build a deck, paint the garage, ah, Hell, it ain't happenin' any time soon I tell ya!

Eric

Ovrclck350

I have Sportlines, but not on a V6. THey are STIFF. I'd suggest them anyday. They do sit a lil low, but honestly Tom, I doubt you'll have to trim them. The sportlines drop more in the front than the rear, so with the lighter engine, it may even out.


However ,it is nice having the front wheels tucked into the fender well.

TomP

AUGH! So many flippin' choices. Glad to hear the sportlines are stiff, though. Haha, watch, in 10 years (yes I'll still have the car), I'll be in therapy for a bad back.

Brighter note; got confirmation that the Energy Suspension Hyperflex bushings in black have graphite... don't need to order from PST, I'll get the Hyperflex kit straight from Summit.

LT1guy

iTrader: (1)

We rebuilt Redraif's suspension with Energy Suspension bushings, and I was pretty pleased with them. Just grease them really well with their grease. They have been quiet for a year, but now occasionally we hear something from the passenger side (we have had a LOT of rain this winter). I'll probably drill and tap my set for grease fittings.

TomP

LT1guy, do you plan on giving the inside of the bushings some kind of grooves to hold the grease? Just wondering what kind of pattern you might make... something like a star pattern?

LT1guy

iTrader: (1)

I haven't decided exactly how I'm going to do it, but I have seen several LCAs (Spohn included) with grease fittings and figured it would be easy enough to add them.