Lowering a GN

[T'squick6]

What are the best products to lower a GN without affecting the ride. Also, if you have pics please send to tshull@vt.edu
Thanks



87 GN, T-44, CAS V4, 42.5 injectors, 340 Walboro, ported throttle body and upper plenum, cracked header

 

[QuickWE4]

I too would be interested in information.

I was just gonna go the simple route of eibach's, since my goal is to bring it down just a smidge as opposed to slamming it into the weeds.

Rich

 

[ONLYA6]

My GN is lowered using the Eibach Pro-Kit springs and QA-1 12 way adjustable shocks. I also have Hotchkis front and rear sway bars, Hotchkis adjustable upper trailing arms, and Hotchkis lower trailing arms. The combo works great! The ride is a little stiff, but that's the way I wanted it. Pics of my car are in my sig.

Jacob

 

[QuickWE4]

Jacob:

That's a bad-ass ride you have there.

I'm going to try the Eibachs. I'm retaining the stock wheels and rubber - I just want to bring the car down a smidge. How much do the springs alone lower the car?

TIA
Rich

 

[STP]

Pretty close to the same wheel i have...nice setup...my pics here
http://www.meacham.pointclark.net/scottsbuick/index.htm along with some other stuff. I lowered mine with Impala SS Bell Tech spindles in front along with 12 in brakes...rear i used Suspension Tech 1.5 drop springs...Rides a little stiffer than stock...

 

[ppalamara]

Those rims are beautiful on these cars! What size and dimensions are those? They are boyd c. wheels right?

 

[87GN&98VET]

STP, did you use OE Impala SS spindles or are they drop spindles? What kind of wheel offset did you need for those. I'm planning on converting my brakes to the Baer system and I'm going to lower the car another inch (I currently have the Eibach Pro Kit but it's not low enough for the big brakes in my opinion). I'm not sure if I should do spindles or just cut 1/2" out of the "stiff" side of the Eibach progressive rate spring. If anyone has cut springs before, I've heard the general rule is to cut 1/2" out for a 1" drop. Is the 1/2" cut from the end of the coil (i.e. measure 1/2" along the coil from the end and cut), or is it a 1/2" vertical measurement (i.e. take a T-square from the end of the coil and run it along the coil until you reach a 1/2" vertical measurement and cut).

Also, from reading some of these posts about lowering your car, it seams that the amount of lowering achieved with Eibach's springs can vary. For instance, Jacob's car looks like it sits about an inch lower than mine judging by the line made from the bottom of the rocker panel in relation to the bolt circle of the wheels. However, we both have the same springs. Mine have been on for 2 years so I think they're settled. The Eibachs are supposed to drop it 1" over stock, and that was the case with mine. Maybe Jacob did something else to get his even lower?

Here's a picture of my car:
http://www.picturejudge.com/rating/index.cfm?catkey=153363

 

[ONLYA6]

QuickWE4: Thanks for the compliments! The Pro-Kit lowers the car 1.25 in the front and 1.5" in the rear.

ppalamara: My wheels are Boyd Coddington "Savages" They are 17x8 with stock backspacing.

87GN&98VET: When you buy a BAER brake system they come completely assembled with new spindles. I know that's how mine came but I'm running the 13" track kit with drilled, slotted and zinc washed rotors. I believe they are B-body spindles which is probably why mine looks a little lower than yours. I also have the Eibach Pro-Kit which lowered the front 1.25" and 1.5" in the rear. As far as cutting the springs, I have no idea. I know Eibach also makes a Sport-Kit which is supposed to give it an even bigger drop than the Pro-Kit.

Jacob

 

[STP]

they are drop spindles...OE impala SS spindles will lower a GN one inch...be careful about ordering drop Impala SS spindles..A 2 inch drop spindle will actually lower a GN 3 inch from current height. I ran into this problem on mine...Rectified the tire rubbing problem by replacing original springs with Moog 5606's...Reason for using Impala SS spindles is for the 12" brake upgrade...

 

[QuickWE4]

Ok, so it sounds like just doing the springs will bring the car down enough for my taste.

I'm assuming that, with stock wheels and tires, just dropping the car with the eibachs won't cause any rubbing problems, correct?

Rich

 

[ONLYA6]

Rich, you shouldn't have any problem doing Eibach springs with stock wheels and tires.

Jacob

 

[BlackBuick84]

Onlya6...where'd you get the Pro-Kit? Thats the stance I'm looking for.

 

[jsta6]

STP,

What do you need to use the impala spindles?

My GN is lowered about 1.5 in the front, but I want to come down some more. I do not want to cut the springs.

TIA

 

[STP]

I used Bell Tech Impala SS 2" drop spindles...Only drop spindle i could find for use with 12' brakes. The spindle will push the wheel out about .5 inch. BEWARE of using impala lowering spindles, because a stock impala spindle will lower your car approximately 1 inch from stock. So when i put the lowering spindles on my car I actually had a 3" drop. Major tire rubbage...put in a new set of Moog 5606's and all is well...Best improvement i've made on my driver...Good luck Scott

 

[jsta6]

OIC.

But will OE Impala spindles bolt right in?

 

[STP]

Need tubular upper a arms first...then they will

 

[geno]

I like them low myself
http://www.netsnapshot.com/pcw/b?KEY=4&ACCOUNT=2412

 

[STP]

Geno, what size are you front wheels and tires...Is that a 5 inch wheel??? Thx Scott

 

[ONLYA6]

Originally posted by BlackBuick84
Onlya6...where'd you get the Pro-Kit? Thats the stance I'm looking for.

I got them from T Byrne Motorsports. You can contact them at www.tbyrnemotorsports.com Tell him I sent you for a nice discount!

Jacob