zliminator Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 I just got my V8 project car as far as the driveway (a 1st) and took some pictures of the ground clearance. It looks like speedbumps are out of the question. I've got a little less the 3" at the lowest point. Take a look at http://www.hampleman.com/clearance.htm and let me know what you think. I have Koni adjustable struts and they're up as far as they will go. I will be putting taller tires on it and that will give me another 1/2". Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike kZ Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 Your headers are going to take a beating! Those are real low. The back isn't as bad, as long as the speed bumps are not higher that 3". Just say "NO" to speed bumps, that's what I do. The lowest point of my car is now around 4". It used to be about 2 1/2" . With 4" I don't scrape that often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid240z Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 That is really low at the headers. I agree with Mike, your headers are going to get . Marcos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 It looks awfully low to me for street driving. What's with the Konis though? Are you saying you cranked up the damping adjustment? That's not going to help your ride height. What kind of spring setup do you have. Are they cut stock springs or coilovers or aftermarket springs? That's where you need to make your adjustment. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted December 16, 2003 Share Posted December 16, 2003 Ouch, honestly you'll definitely want a bumpguard for those headers up front if you plan on keeping that ride height and driving typical street/curbs/ramps etc. Like an upside down sharkfin from HSS welded to the underside of your front crossmember, just an option. Do you need that low ride height? I've aided a few customers with similar heights. One did a long trip and literally couldn't go into some resorts as he couldn't clear their speed bumps, he was cursing the bumps etc etc and when I glanced at his ride his rear's were cambered in quite notably so the overly low ride height was even more obvious. Bumped him up a good inch as I recall and he noticed a handling difference (increase in body roll from his near zero prior) but did get used to it and much more appreciated the clearance of typical street 'bumps/curbs'. His front control arms were even angling up somewhat as I recall. His car handles very well and will shortly be squirting past mine with some ongoing mods. I should've been documenting ride heights etc but each seems somewhat unique to suit the owner. If you don't need that ride height for a unique reason you may want to build your geometry around a higher height. What available compression remains on your Koni's at that height? Bumping their valving could overstress them quickly if your springs are matched reasonalbly well, just some thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zliminator Posted December 17, 2003 Author Share Posted December 17, 2003 I posted another picture on the website (http://www.hampleman.com/clearance.htm). The top of the Koni coil-overs come threw the strut tower. I guess I have 3 choices: 1) Put taller tires on it. 2) Weld new strut towers in so the coil-overs sit lower (they are adjusted all the way up). 3) Find or fab some headers the give more clearance. I may try some taller tires first. Thanks for the help. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modern Motorsports Ltd Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 OK, but where is your strut piston at travel wise, what's available? What coilover setup is this? spring length/rate etc? Sectioned struts at all? I'd suggest measuring before it's all apart where your strut piston is at and then when you take it apart, see what total travel is available. Depending on it's location you may be able to shim between the top of your coilover spring and the top hat/adjustable setup you have. Or swapping springs may work, all depends on strut piston travel availability/current location. Another option is spacing your crossmember to chassis mounts if you're close to reaching your desired height, not my favourite but still an option. just my thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I wonder if you could fit a longer spring in there. Unless the struts are sectioned a lot, you should be able to, which would raise the car up. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z8 Posted December 17, 2003 Share Posted December 17, 2003 I had the same problem, even with my adjustable suspn. on max height. I solved it by going with a dual side exhaust with a crossover pipe. Extreme solution perhaps, but I wanted retro anyway and I now have good clearance on the street and can get it seriously low for auto-x and track days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zliminator Posted December 19, 2003 Author Share Posted December 19, 2003 I think I am going to sell the headers on ebay and buy some block hugger headers that have the collector flange much closer to the ports, then redo the entire exhaust with 2.5". Thanks for all your comments. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 So is the general consensus that 4" will be sufficient under most circumstances? I've got more than that now but I'm considering going to a 3 1/2" exhaust from the current 2 1/2" which will obviously eat another inch out of my current clearance. I have scraped the exhaust once, very lightly, when going over a sharply curved entrance into a car wash. I have had no trouble with any of the speed bumps I've encountered. I think I'll stop next time I go over some that I go over all the time and see what my current clearance is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted April 1, 2004 Share Posted April 1, 2004 Looking as best as I could at the lower control arms it appears the front is so low that the control arm is horizontal. That's not good for handling and you'll get a lot of steering kickback. The rear seems better but I can't tell for sure. Both the front and rear control arms should be angled down at static ride height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COZY Z COLE Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 FYI. I have a 4 in. clearance on my sidepipes and I have a constant battle with off street parking lots and sharp angled entrance curves. One problem is that there are so many differant speed bump sizes in parking lots that I "recon" the lots first for a suitable parking spot. Anything less than 4 ins. of clearance you are asking for trouble LARRY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted April 2, 2004 Share Posted April 2, 2004 Thanks for the input guys. I don't think I'm gong to stick with the first plan on the 3 1/2" exhaust. Need to find a way to keep 2 1/2" duals at least until I'm behind the R200. Then maybe I can transition to a 3 1/2" or I need to find a dual inlet muffler that's sized for 2 1/2" in and a single 3 1/2" or 4" out. I hope I'm not dreaming here as I haven't been able to find one so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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