How to lower a W-Body ( Gen 1, Gen 1.5 )

[kuntzie]

coilovers all around

[Garrett Powered]

That valance is a 2 yr old GM NOS unit that has no sag, hence the not slammed appearance out front.

 

 

I know but the fender well was damn near touching my tire. I could hardly even get my hand in there above the tire. have you got any closer up pics of the front wheel?

[GOT2B GM]

not really, i could take some on friday

[kuntzie]

dont forget matt is using a smaller tire then a 245.50

[Garrett Powered]

ya thats right, my friend Jim has those tires and they are noticeably smaller.

[Chris]

So now what if you wanted to raise the front of your car about 1.5"? Do they even make taller springs?

[19Cutlass94]

why would you want to raise the front end?

[Crazy K]

why would you want to raise the front end?

 

see his sig pic.

 

 

I'm sure you can add spacers under the springs... or try a different taller and thicker spring.....

[Chris]

I wanted to change out the springs, but after having to reinstall one I'll never do that again. I'm now thinking about a spacer, like they have for "leveling kits" on trucks.

[CSI_MuNkY]

Lower the rear? or put coil overs on the front and jack it up as far as you want

[Chris]

Front has coilovers stock straight from GM

 

Are there other coilovers that I don't know about?

[CSI_MuNkY]

yes, adjustable coil overs, aftermarket, go read the first post in this thread and follow the links there, one of them is to the build thread when I built my Grand Prix

[Chris]

OK, I don't think we're on the same page here... I'm looking for direct-replacement coils, just longer/heavier instead of shorter. There has to be some interchange with another (heavier) vehicle somewhere that would fit this purpose. I know w-coils are like 40 feet long after disassembling a strut over the weekend.

 

Those links haven't worked in a while, but I think you're referring to something like these? http://www.westshorefabricators.com/WBody/Coilovers.htm

I was thinking about building some custom ones like I did for the rear, but I want to be lazy. And I don't want to spend a ridiculous amount of money (again) on a shitty W-Body.

[CSI_MuNkY]

My bad, I didn't realize that the link to my thread had gone bad with the new forum change.

 

I have the Held kit, its a great starter kit, but for those that are serious, its crap. The upper spring mount is machined out of plastic.

 

As for an interchange, that I have no idea, but highly doubt the same springs were used on none w's

[Chris]

Yeah, forum changeover hosed a bunch of links. That always happens when changing from one flavor to another. I didn't realize that kit had plastic components, that's a joke. I don't like how the link I posted doesn't show prices, and I haven't heard back from them on pricing yet. I'm thinking a strut spacer will be my best option, but I'd like something to stiffen up the front also.

 

It'll be easy enough to make a custom spacer like they have in leveling kits for trucks.

 

Edit: just got an email back from Erik @ westchorefab - looks like he's writing me up a quote for a stage 1 kit...

[CSI_MuNkY]

Stage 1 coilover kits?

[Chris]

Yeah.

[CSI_MuNkY]

Here are the Held Coil overs just before I put them in the car

 

Here are a couple pics of that white plastic part that holds the spring

 

 

 

 

To give you an idea of what you have to do to install the Stage 1 kit...

You have to take your front knuckles out

Like so,

 

Cut these parts off,

 

Then you are left with this,

 

Then I painted, when I redo it in the spring I will be powder coating, paint didn't hold up worth shit.

 

I won't be putting the Held kits on the front, I am designing a set up from scratch. (Held ones are spoken for)

 

Jamie

Edited November 2, 2010 by CSI_MuNkY

[Chris]

Wow, that's it? I can easily machine that out of metal like I did with my rear coilover mounts.

 

[CSI_MuNkY]

Yup, I will say their rear mount is about as good as it can get

 

 

There is a red poly bushing to go in the center part.

I will be re-using these, minus the poly bushing.

 

I am having all Delrin bushings manufactured

 

Jamie

Edited November 2, 2010 by CSI_MuNkY

[Twenty]

What would be recommended as a good street/light track setup then? Held with the plastic parts replaced?

[CSI_MuNkY]

Unless you have the means to machine parts on your own, or have a buddy do it, I would recommend going with Mark's (DOHCv6) parts.

 

His parts don't make a whole lot of sense for me because I have the ability to design my own parts and the sources to have them made.

That being said, I'm not stepping on his toes by making my own, because I will not be selling them. I am not taking the liability on my shoulders. I know he has a waiver and all, its just not a risk I'm willing to take.

 

When I make my new lateral links, trailing arms and tubular front control arms, the most I will offer is to tack them together. After that it will be up to the buyer to get them welded and powder coated. But I'm not even sure I want to go that far with them.

 

Jamie

[Twenty]

Unless I'm on the wrong page, I don't see any coilovers on his site. I'm specifically after coilovers for height adjustability along with the performance.

[CSI_MuNkY]

His front Camber plates can be ordered to give you coil overs, then you can order the other parts like springs, threaded sleeves and adjuster nuts separately.

 

Jamie

[Twenty]

Well, look at that.