[Ken K]

If you want to lower a car in the front that uses stock Pontiac type springs, remove the spring first. Measure the spring height. They might make one with a lower height. If not you can start with a taller spring and remove a coil to get the desired height. When it comes to a GM suspension, if Moog does not offer the spring then it's probably not avalable.

[Bob Hall]

Ken,

Ok, I'm running extremely slow tonight in the brain department so bear with me if you will. I can't use the same springs as the Monte for the front of the LeMans? Ok, I can deal with that then. What spring should I go for then?

Also, cutting a coil out is not an option for me. I don't have the equipment to even attempt that, nor do I have the confidence in myself to even try it. I'm looking more for a 'plug and play' (to borrow a phrase from the computer field) spring.

Now, I'm a bit confused about the El Camino spring you mentioned. Am I understanding you correctly that you can use the CC627 designed for the rear of a 79 El Camino on a 72 LeMans?

Thanks,
Bob

[marauder]

I got her sitting just about right now and will post some pics soon. We took a few inches off of the right front spring and that did the trick. All measurements are now with in 1/8" and you can't really notice any difference unless you measure.

[68GTOKeith]

I would cut the coils in front only 1/2 a coil, reinstal, and see how they are. Dont do anything to the rear, seeing as how it sits well enough on its own. My '68, I cut a full coil after installing brand new springs from moog, only to have the same nose in the air stance. A full coil cut, dropped it significantly...but now my headers scrape over moderate speedbumps. My 2 cents.

[Ken K]

I found a spring chart that includes the rear springs. The CC501 and the CC509 rear springs are basicalley the same thing.

[68GTOConv]

I'm a big fan of the Hotchkis springs and Koni shocks for these old musclecars. See pic >>



Mike M

[marauder]

Ken,
Any chance you can post that chart?

[marauder]

Dude,
Your car was my inspiration and why I now have 295/50-15s on the back! I printed pictures of it from your website a few months ago!

[Ken K]

www.classiccarsprings.com/springrates.html

[marauder]

Ken,
The link worked for me. I wish I could have put my hands on that info a couple of months ago. I tried the auto parts stores and even called Moog trying to get spring specs but they simply told me that they could give me the part# for, "the spring that is supposed to be on my car only".

"but they would only s some really great information.

[68GTOConv]

That's the best compliment you can give another car guy - Thanks man, that made an otherwise crappy day almost nice ...

Mike M

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Marauder:
Dude,
Your car was my inspiration and why I now have 295/50-15s on the back! I printed pictures of it from your website a few months ago! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[marauder]

Mike,

Glad I could brighten your day. Hey, I noticed you are using a "narrowed 12 bolt rear end" as listed on your website. My car also has a 12 bolt rear end in an otherwise mostly stock car. I understand that 12 bolts were not available in the GTO's until '70. What do you mean by narrowed?

Thx,
Curt

[sharkbite]

I think air shocks are a bad idea. I'd go w/air bags in the springs. This will raise the rear end and you still get the benifits of a good gas shock. Just my two cents.

[jpratt]

Marauder,

When you replace your rear springs with Moog CC501 (which looks great, by the way) what shocks did you use? Did you need longer than stock shocks?

Thanks

[marauder]

I'm still using stock replacement shocks and haven't had any trouble.

[hozy]

Will the air bags raise it as much as air shocks?

[marauder]

I've heard air bags work rather well and do not provide the rough ride as air shocks do when they have a considerable amount of air in them.

[Zonian]

All this talk about lowering is alien to this "child of the '60s; I intend to "jack up" my '67 GTO 3 to 4 inches above stock. I can't be the only one and it would be good to know what products are out there to facilitate proper front end alignment.

Back in the day there was a "C" shaped bracket bolted between the upper ball joint and spindle, but I can't find it in this new millenium.

[tillertracker]

Here's 3 pics of my progress.

The first is the stock 14" Rally wheels and suspension.

The second is 17" Billet Rally wheels and stock suspension with air bags in the rear (20psi).

The third is 17" Billet Rally's with 2" lower front springs from OPG part#G990051, stock rear springs, and airbags with almost no air at all.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/eb527c56.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...Pontiac002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...r/40b2a072.jpg

I was surprised how much lowering the front transfered the weight and had alot to do with the rear end height.

[marauder]

That is really looking good in the 3rd pic!