Lowering Issues
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
Lowering Issues
My car has PFADT coilovers installed and while I love the new look and stance I have a serious problem getting anywhere with the following :
1- Steep Driveways
2- Speed Bumps
Is there a solution to my problem ? The sound of the chassis rubbing is
I am avoiding all the known places to me but sometimes like tonite I come across an unexpected speed bump and scccccccraaaaaattttttttttttccccccccccchh hhhhhhhhhhh
Please help.....
Just to show you the new stance , here is a picture of the car side by side with the Holden Commodore soon to be ported to you guys in the guise of the Pontiac G8.
1- Steep Driveways
2- Speed Bumps
Is there a solution to my problem ? The sound of the chassis rubbing is
I am avoiding all the known places to me but sometimes like tonite I come across an unexpected speed bump and scccccccraaaaaattttttttttttccccccccccchh hhhhhhhhhhh Please help.....
Just to show you the new stance , here is a picture of the car side by side with the Holden Commodore soon to be ported to you guys in the guise of the Pontiac G8.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 62
From: Middletown DE
Do you have Rocker Rails? I have those on my car, and although i am not as low as you, i dont cringe that much when i "slide" over speed bumps now.
The nice things with these cars is that everything is tucked up pretty good, so you really wont hurt anything... Maybe also look into those wheels on the front frame rails, i hit those a decent amount also..
The nice things with these cars is that everything is tucked up pretty good, so you really wont hurt anything... Maybe also look into those wheels on the front frame rails, i hit those a decent amount also..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
No Rockers rails but I think at this point I will end up scraping a lot more with them on LOL. I mean there is barely room under the car now for anything. I can't do a regular oil change unless the guy has one of the special lifts that can slide under the car. I can always zig-zag to avoid scraping the front but the middle is what is killing me. I mean yesterday I got the feeling I was "stuck" on the speed bump 
I agree on the underside being neat but still I am a bit worried...
master blaster,
Nice one , How about some DUB 22"s
Seriously though guys , this has gotten so bad that my wife has even ok'd the budget to solve the problem
I agree on the underside being neat but still I am a bit worried...master blaster,
Nice one , How about some DUB 22"s Seriously though guys , this has gotten so bad that my wife has even ok'd the budget to solve the problem
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Hi Nabil,
I would do the rails also, just so you do not tear up your rockers. As far as fixing the problem, you can adjust the ride height of the shocks. They provide the tools you need to adjust them. Technically if you were road racing etc, it might require a replacement spring if you wanted to get really technical, but for a street car you should be fine with just the adjustment. You can raise the ride height by tightening the spring, I have had to do it on a few cars that we installed those coil overs on, they drove great afterwards.
I would do the rails also, just so you do not tear up your rockers. As far as fixing the problem, you can adjust the ride height of the shocks. They provide the tools you need to adjust them. Technically if you were road racing etc, it might require a replacement spring if you wanted to get really technical, but for a street car you should be fine with just the adjustment. You can raise the ride height by tightening the spring, I have had to do it on a few cars that we installed those coil overs on, they drove great afterwards.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
Hi Doug,
Looks like I will look into the frame savers. I just PM'ed Jeff from Elite. I will await his input. I just love the new look
but it looks like I may have to adjust the height if the rails don't help.
Looks like I will look into the frame savers. I just PM'ed Jeff from Elite. I will await his input. I just love the new look
but it looks like I may have to adjust the height if the rails don't help.
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Do you have another pic? The one in the first post doesn't show anything.
I recently bought a C5 Z06 that has Pfadt coilovers. I haven't driven it more than 2 miles to and from the state inspection station, because quite simply I'm too worried about taking it anywhere else... the car is so low, I'm afraid I'm going to get stuck somewhere on an uneven section of pavement. The car wouldn't even get in my garage without a wooden ramp, and that's just a 1.5" bump... it has rocker panel savers btw, but the exhaust hit the concrete before they did.
The car looks great, but I'm probably going to have it raised as it's just not practical.
http://i16.tinypic.com/4mjefm9.jpg
I recently bought a C5 Z06 that has Pfadt coilovers. I haven't driven it more than 2 miles to and from the state inspection station, because quite simply I'm too worried about taking it anywhere else... the car is so low, I'm afraid I'm going to get stuck somewhere on an uneven section of pavement. The car wouldn't even get in my garage without a wooden ramp, and that's just a 1.5" bump... it has rocker panel savers btw, but the exhaust hit the concrete before they did.
The car looks great, but I'm probably going to have it raised as it's just not practical.
http://i16.tinypic.com/4mjefm9.jpg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
How about a small On Board Air system? Something that you could flip the switch and raise the car an inch (+/-) for a moment to clear a parking lot/driveway entry or speed bumps in a parking lot?
Sounds simple enough to install?
Sounds simple enough to install?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
I am actually thinking about something similar, you know like the Lambos...Any ideas ?
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
You guys are driving proverbial 4x4 and complaining?
Three things:
1> Rocker rails and Frame Savers
2> Situation Awareness
3> Change your driving style utterly.
I drive my car like this cross country (below) with zero problems. Obey the 3 rules above and so can you.
The only major change is I asked ECS to build a custom lower radiator mount for me. Otherwise, it's a stock undercarriage.
DRM shortened and revalved coilovers with 550/650 in/lb (front/rear) and T1 sways.
Stephen
Three things:
1> Rocker rails and Frame Savers
2> Situation Awareness
3> Change your driving style utterly.
I drive my car like this cross country (below) with zero problems. Obey the 3 rules above and so can you.
The only major change is I asked ECS to build a custom lower radiator mount for me. Otherwise, it's a stock undercarriage.
DRM shortened and revalved coilovers with 550/650 in/lb (front/rear) and T1 sways.
Stephen
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Might even forego the guage since you're not gonna be doing stunts with it al la Juan's low rider
, you just need to be able to clear the occasional radical speed bump and over raked driveway
Let the air completly out after you've done what needs to be done.
Again this is primarily for the occasional radical speedbump or driveway angle.
Hey Stephen...
I agree with you but sometimes you just can't help where you end up. Thats why my elephant chaser (89 Landcruiser) is my DD not the 87. Even with situational awareness, there's some things you just can't help
Last edited by STREETKNIGHT; Aug 12, 2007 at 09:05 AM.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
But mostly, the thing I have noticed is many people lower or even slam their car, but do NOT change their driving style. They continue to drive their Vettes like SUVs, flying over speedbumps and thru parking lots etc.
For example, all transitions represent danger. Transitions from road to shopping mall, road to driveway, major road to minor road, speedhumps, highsides, and so on.
A simple change in driving style and you can drive a slammed car almost anywhere. I say almost, because there are some places physically I cannot go - which is fine with me.
Stephen
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,883
Likes: 2
From: www.corvetteflorida.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Gordon, I agree - that's where the Rocker Rails save your undercarriage.
But mostly, the thing I have noticed is many people lower or even slam their car, but do NOT change their driving style. They continue to drive their Vettes like SUVs, flying over speedbumps and thru parking lots etc.
For example, all transitions represent danger. Transitions from road to shopping mall, road to driveway, major road to minor road, speedhumps, highsides, and so on.
A simple change in driving style and you can drive a slammed car almost anywhere. I say almost, because there are some places physically I cannot go - which is fine with me.
Stephen
But mostly, the thing I have noticed is many people lower or even slam their car, but do NOT change their driving style. They continue to drive their Vettes like SUVs, flying over speedbumps and thru parking lots etc.
For example, all transitions represent danger. Transitions from road to shopping mall, road to driveway, major road to minor road, speedhumps, highsides, and so on.
A simple change in driving style and you can drive a slammed car almost anywhere. I say almost, because there are some places physically I cannot go - which is fine with me.
Stephen
You're right again
I just think the idea of having the ability to raise the suspension just a tad to creep over some obstaclesmigh be nice.Someone mentioned not being able to get on an oil change rack without boards
Some podunk towns shop might not be able (or willing) to accomodate you in a jam. Why not have the ability to overcome that little problem. The header issue was another. his headers were dragging the bump entering his garage before the undercarriage came close. THe rails won't help much there. I can see a use for a bag system as long we as don't go south of the border style with it...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
I emailed Aaron from PFADT about some Universal Coil Over Air bags to see what he thinks. In principal the idea should work. Like you said sometimes you just can't avoid it. Day before yesterday was an example the speed bump was totally unexpected and while I manged to avoid hitting the front by Zig zagging the middle of the car still scraped.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 954
Likes: 1
From: Salt Lake City UT
St. Jude Donor '08
Autocross & Roadrace Forum Sponsor
I emailed Aaron from PFADT about some Universal Coil Over Air bags to see what he thinks. In principal the idea should work. Like you said sometimes you just can't avoid it. Day before yesterday was an example the speed bump was totally unexpected and while I manged to avoid hitting the front by Zig zagging the middle of the car still scraped.
Not sure about the airbags. If you could get some real small ones they might work. I looked at the site you sent me to. Those are for 2.5 ID springs. Ours are 2.25" and the clearance is pretty tight under there. You might have to go to a shorter steel spring (6"?) and then use a 2" long airbag. It certainly can be done, but I just don't know how much work you are looking to undertake.
If you do work on this project, keep us informed.
-Aaron
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,641
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From: Beautiful CO
St. jude Donor '14
You guys are driving proverbial 4x4 and complaining?
Three things:
1> Rocker rails and Frame Savers
2> Situation Awareness
3> Change your driving style utterly.
I drive my car like this cross country (below) with zero problems. Obey the 3 rules above and so can you.
The only major change is I asked ECS to build a custom lower radiator mount for me. Otherwise, it's a stock undercarriage.
DRM shortened and revalved coilovers with 550/650 in/lb (front/rear) and T1 sways.
Stephen
Three things:
1> Rocker rails and Frame Savers
2> Situation Awareness
3> Change your driving style utterly.
I drive my car like this cross country (below) with zero problems. Obey the 3 rules above and so can you.
The only major change is I asked ECS to build a custom lower radiator mount for me. Otherwise, it's a stock undercarriage.
DRM shortened and revalved coilovers with 550/650 in/lb (front/rear) and T1 sways.
Stephen
I just got off the phone with Nabil from the UAE. From the size of their speed bumps, I think he needs something like this:
Actual UAE speed bump pictures coming..........
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
From: Dubai
lol Thanks Jeff. Yep I just placed an order for the following :
1- Aluminum Frame Rails ( Jeff & I agreed that the Aluminum would be slightly more durable than their composite counterparts ) We will also add some 3M backing tape on them as an extra precaution to ensure a permanent application.
2- Frame Guards
At least now I would feel a bit easier if I encounter some of our "special" speed bumps over here.
And as mentioned above , I'm heading out tomm. to get you guys some pics of the speed bumps I avoid
Here is a vid some guys took earlier after the local authorities installed one on a road without putting up signs :
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0
The last car was a Lambo Gallardo. You can see from the vid that the height of the same is not within normal tolerances in the sense ( despite the approach speed ) even Sedans/Trucks had trouble.
1- Aluminum Frame Rails ( Jeff & I agreed that the Aluminum would be slightly more durable than their composite counterparts ) We will also add some 3M backing tape on them as an extra precaution to ensure a permanent application.
2- Frame Guards
At least now I would feel a bit easier if I encounter some of our "special" speed bumps over here.
And as mentioned above , I'm heading out tomm. to get you guys some pics of the speed bumps I avoid
Here is a vid some guys took earlier after the local authorities installed one on a road without putting up signs :
http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...arch&plindex=0
The last car was a Lambo Gallardo. You can see from the vid that the height of the same is not within normal tolerances in the sense ( despite the approach speed ) even Sedans/Trucks had trouble.
Last edited by V8_Club; Aug 14, 2007 at 05:15 PM.