Lowered springs: Looks good now or go lower?!

[ModernMuseum]

The car is almost ready to go live. My only hesitation is the front ride height. The car currently has 2" Hotchkis lowering leafs in the rear and 2" lowered coils springs in the front. I admit that I have no idea if these springs are the big block or ls-type lowering springs. They were already in the car when I purchased the shell.

The springs have been installed on the car for several years and I have had the LS3 in the car for about 6 months or so, so they have had some time to settle. I have heard that they will settle a bit more after driving though.

I would like the car to sit about an inch or so lower in the front. Should I go ahead and blow some cash on an initial alignment and then drive the car around a while, hoping that it will settle some more? Or should I go ahead and order some different springs? It would be nice if there was a way to tell which springs I have without taking them out of the car, but as of right now, I would have to take the springs out of the car to determine which ones they are.

Here is the car on a very slight incline (it pretty much looks the same on a level surface). As you can see, the rear looks like it is sitting slightly lower than the front, which is lame.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6628725045_7440972df0_o.jpg

[redfire69]

Nice car! You might try cutting a quarter or half a coil out of the front springs. Maybe the experts will chime in....

[Jay Hilliard]

Hotchkis makes 3" front lowering spring which I am using in my wife's car and its a BB427. Hotchkis recommends this spring for LS, SB, & BB's with aluminum heads, intake.

[ModernMuseum]

I guess I should also add that I will probably install new A-arms, coil-overs and a 4-link next year. Maybe I should just get it aligned as-is and wait until next year to do the heavy modifications without tweaking it too much right now.

[skatinjay27]

there not gonna settle enough to level out the car...if all that stuff is planned in a year i would just cut a lil off the springs now because even though its only a year its gonna bug you that whole year!

[ModernMuseum]

Yeah, but the end of the springs are more or less flat, right? I've heard that cutting them will make them not fit in the pockets right.

Yay or nay? :captain:

[mpozziCPL]

Before performing spring surgery, I would check your present suspension travel to ensure you are not getting into the bump stops or bottoming out shocks during cornering or heavy braking. This should be mandatory as it confirms if the suspension can do its job or not.

Put some paint or something that can transfer color to the top of the bump stop and then go drive the car. Brake and corner somewhat hard but stay safe. When done having fun, go and check the mating surfaces on the control arms checking for witness marks.

It's also the key area that gets those that are into "the stance" as form in trouble rather than trying for function first.

Mary Pozzi

[ModernMuseum]

Thanks! I will definitely check that out first.