OK, so when I bought the Patriot Dream Camaro it was basically hollow in the back. The previous owner installed the center support and gave me the aftermarket rear frame rails. I plan on installing them at the factory width for springs and then installing minitubs for clearance.

Now my questions is this. With the leaf springs attached to the frame the way I have them, the car will effectively be about 1-2" higher in the rear because the springs will be mounted under the frame rail instead of to the side in the little pocket like they are from the factory. The factory frame rails kick to the side a little to allow the spring to be mounted beside the frame rail. My aftermarket ones are straight, so the springs have to mount right underneath them. Make sense? What would be my best option for lowering the rear of this car? I had planned on either Hotchkis 2" drop leafs or DSE 3" drop leafs, but last night I realized I need more drop than that.

Should I take some factory springs and have them rearched for the drop I need? I'm on a very tight budget, so a 4-link is out of the question, unless someone knows of anyone who might want to donate something to the project.

This car is gonna look major stinkbug unless I can figure something out.

I would talk to Calvert Racing (Caltrac) and see what their split mono has to offer. You may even talk to a local spring shop and see if they could build a set or de-arch your set ?