Hi All, Just recently bought my 68 BB camaro, The suspension needs replaced, I've been going through the posts reading about everyones ideas on improving handling and steering. I keep reading about lowering with the use of drop springs such as Hotchkis TVS. This may be a dumb question but if I lower my suspension doesn't this reduce my clearance between the top of my tire and wheelwell? The tire's that are on it now do not have a great deal of clearance now.I was going to replace springs with OEM type to restore original height and thought that should raise it up a bit. But with everyone talking about how lowering improves handling I don't know what my options are with my clearance so small already.

Thanks for any advice

People lower their cars mostly to improve the stance and appearance.

If you do it with shorter springs, the upper (lower?) limit of travel stays the same, the tire doesn't go further into the wheelwell when the suspension compresses, but will probably go their more often.

suppose the first question is: Do the tires/wheels you have actaully fit into the wheelwells? If they stick out, all bets are off.

The other thing is, if you replace your springs with anything, the ride ht is gonna change some, and you never know what you're going to get. The springs on my car are "oem replacements" and it sits plenty low in the front.

Ray check out this 67. http://www.lateral-g.net/redwitch/ Notice how the front wheels are tucked in and it has a real low(perfect in my opinion) stance. I think the only difference between this car any yours, suspension wise, is the spindles. It uses the factoty control arms and lowering springs. I post this car as an example of what can be done.

Now if you are worried about the wheels hitting and do not want to buy new wheels, you can improve the handling without lowering the car. You can do this by doing the Guldstrand mod and using stiffer bushings.

Brian

I second the guldstrand mod, too. Another thing I've found recently is that it actually lets you run bigger tires of less b/s, because the tre tucks into the fenderwell when the suspension compresses.

now besides the obvious big brakes on that Red 67 how do you put those Vett Wheels on a 67? What needs to be done? I love that stance and look but budget keeps me from using big brakes. I have a disc converison in front from a 69 and stock drums in the rear. What needs to done get this look using stock control arms and above brakes? Who do I call for this info? Those vett wheels can be bought real cheap. But the spacers?

Thanks
Joe

Joe,
I am also interested in those Vette wheels. I was under the impression the the backspacing was way too much, and they wouldn't fit on first gen Camaros. Is there a company making those with custom offsets?

Nice garage and cars !! I like the stance.

Jim,

I don't remember the story, I thought the Red Witch was a '69???


Rick. :cool:

Rick, the Red Witch is a 67, the Thrasher is a 69. I should probably remove the last pic on that page, shouldn't I.

As far as lowering goes, it isn't all about looks. I want a good handling car, and a lower CG will definitely help.

Hey baz67, your car looks great! That's how I want mine to sit one day. I was wondering what wheel & tire combination you have going on and how much back spacing? By the way, I love the look of a lowered camaro with no front bumper. Good job!

thanks lopro, but it is not mine. It is a member of this boards though.
Brian

Well whoever that car belongs to did a great job. I love that stance.