Front End Clearance

BDR879 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 10:02 PM

I think I need to adjust the front end ride hieght since I have been routinely scraping the bottom of the nose of the car.

I am running with the 17" wheels.....what kind of front end clearance (ground to teh bottom of the nose) is everybody running? That measurement will give me a good idea of where to start.

Rwillia4 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 11:49 PM

My oil pan is 3.5" from the ground and hasn't touch the ground yet.
I do have race springs, which is a must IMO.

6t8stang · #3 (**permalink**) 04-30-2011, 11:51 PM

I'm at about 5.75" clearance to the bottom of the body in the front

Jimeg · #4 (**permalink**) 05-02-2011, 06:34 AM

BDR 879,
The ride height rule of the thumb is approximately two to three fingers of clearance over the tires. I adjusted my coil over’s and have just about 2 up front and close to three in the rear. Mind you, I have small to medium size hands and fingers. My underneath clearance is a bit better then the factory settings and the ride has improved considerably without any handling loss. The nose bottom to the ground is almost 4" and I haven’t hit ground since I made the adjustments’

Cashburn · #5 (**permalink**) 05-02-2011, 11:42 AM

With a big block you need the race springs due to additional weight and the balance (engine further forward).

WardL · #6 (**permalink**) 05-02-2011, 09:38 PM

I suppose every model is going to be different, my SPF has 4-3/8" under the oil cooler and 3-3/4" at the oil pan and bell housing. I have 17" wheels and have the top of the wheel well height set at the recommended level of 26.3" front and 26.6" in the rear. The previous owner had it about 1/2 lower and I can see where he scraped the oil pan and bell housing. I'm going to raise it up temporarily at least an inch when I do some autocross next month because the track is not level.

snowgoer · #7 (**permalink**) 05-04-2011, 07:33 PM

My BDR #983 is 3 1/2 inches in the front. Thinking about bringing it up 1/2 inch or so. I have not hit yet but I'm sure it is going to happen sooner or later.

BDR879 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-08-2011, 02:47 PM

Thanks All. That's alot of help!

Just got mine off the jack stands today and my current numbers are:

3-3/8" at the nose
3-0" at the oil pan
2-3/4" at the bell housing

On the finger test, I'm 1-1/2 fingers on all 4 corners. Yikes

Guess I'm a low rider wanna-be.

I'm going to shoot for the 3 finger in the back; 2 in the front....that should at least get me another inch of the ground.

Looks like I found this weeks project

(allows me to put off painting the bathroom another week)

BDR879 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2011, 07:24 PM

Adjusted the front and its perfect now. "2 fingers" equated to about 4" clearance at the nose, which is where I ended up Thanks for the feedback and guidance.

However......

Can't seem to figure out how to adjust the rear. How's it done? Are the springs set up like the front...can't tell.

cbreez · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2011, 06:53 AM

The rear springs adjust similar to the front, adjustment spanner nut on top of the spring. Use a spanner wrench or large channel locks. Disconnect the rear shock first to let the control arm drop a bit.

BTW, unless your tires are rubbing the body, you don't need to jack these cars up much at all. The suspension travel is minimal so you don't need the car up in the air. If you adjust too much, you will ruin your alignment so be careful.

If you are driving in and over craters, not much will help.

mln385 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-13-2011, 01:41 PM

Biggest issue for me was the crown in the roads up here in New England. Scraped the oil pan once driving down the middle of my lane on a rural street, that was enough for me to raise the front up. Car would be fine for the best of smooth roads but our roads up here aren't the best.....

Rwillia4 · #12 (**permalink**) 05-14-2011, 12:19 AM

385- Your not suppose to drive it through the snow on the crown in the road!! ha

...If you are in Boston your roads do suck!!

mln385 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-14-2011, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rwillia4

385- Your not suppose to drive it through the snow on the crown in the road!! ha

...If you are in Boston your roads do suck!!

Now you tell me

I guess I can take it back out of 4X4 mode...

TimeForACobra · #14 (**permalink**) 08-25-2011, 08:45 PM

So, when adjusting the front coil overs, how much does the adjustment on the coil overs equate to ride hide adjustment? In other words, if I adjust the coil overs up 1", will that equate to a 1" change in ride height/clearance?

BDR879 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-26-2011, 11:58 AM

I found out it was not 1:1 as far as the adjustment to ride height. I just jacked up the car, adjusted, dropped the car back down, repeat as necessary. Had to redo it a few times after driving it as it settled in.

TimeForACobra · #16 (**permalink**) 08-26-2011, 03:10 PM

That's what I was expecing. Make a change, drive, measure, repeat as necessary. Thanks.