Question about ride height

[Super.Snake]

Hi all.

Apologies for a basic question, but I'm still learning about Superformance cars. I'm trying to compare the stance of these two Superformance Cobras, both on Ebay. The first one sits much higher than the second, doesn't it? I don't think it's the lighting, I've included the links to each.

Which is 'right', or does it matter? Should they be set-up the same?


1965 Shelby Cobra | eBay

1965 Shelby Superformance Cobra | eBay

[Mark IV]

The SPF chassis can be adjusted for ride height. The springs are "coil-over" and the collars can be raised or lowered to set ride height. Where you set the height will depend on the tire size, where you drive and what type of driving you do.

The first car pictured is a little bit too "4x4" and the second is on the low end of the ride height scale.

[Blas]

Going from memory here, the height from the ground to the fender lip should be about 26" approximately.

[Sawdust]

The ride height that works best with SPF is 22 1/2" from the bottom middle of the rim to the fender lip

[LUCKY-13]

The top photo rear end is too high, the bottom photos rear end is too low. The ride height on the SPF cars per the owners manual should be set at 26.5-27 inches reguardles of what the tire size is, meaning that if your running a tire that will not slow you to maintain that ride height then your simply not running an appropriate tire for that car. My rear tires are NITTO NT555R Drag Radials in a 325/50-15 and is set at 27 inches. That will be the largest size tire in a 15 inch you can shoe horn under the rears of these cars depending on what car number you have and still maintain the 27 inches. My fronts are Mickey Thompson Sportsman St's in a 255/60-15 and my ride height is set at 26.5. On the front tires you do not want to exceed a 27 inch diameter tire in the 15's beacuse it will rub the backside of the front wheel well. However you can put a 275/50-15 on the front so long as you keep it 27 inches or less. Once again that can vary based on what car number you have, in 2611. I have the Treadwear Goodyear Billboard letters on mine they look awesome!! Avons are great tires but in my opinion I'm running the best tire combo and look that's available in the 15's.

[1795]

While you might be able to fit a 275/50/15 in the front, I would hesitate to do so as it might rub on tight turns and irrespective of if it does rub or not, it would take a lot to muscle through a turn with any speed and no power steering. That's a lot of rubber on the road up front and if you have sticky tires you had better have forearms like Popeye.

[Andrewyoung78]

lucky13, any pics of your rear setup?

[Blas]

Just confirming my earlier comment: Looking thru my notes I see a preferred ride height of between 26 1/2" and 27 1/2" between ground and bottom of fender lip. Might be the same as other comment "..... 22 1/2" from the bottom middle of the rim to the fender lip "

[66gtk]

The original cars sit like this.

[LUCKY-13]

Yes Andrew I have plenty of photos, I'm kinda new on here and I'm having a hard time posting photos on the reply posts, lol. I'm not a very computer savoy person, I'm more of an "outdoors" kinda guy! Haha..
Anyway I have one album that I've managed to some how create and it has three photos of the car from front, side & rear view with the 325 Nittos with the treadwear letters on them, not sure if your able to view my album or not?
If you want to see them I can send them via email. I promise I'll get better at this.

[Andrewyoung78]

lucky 13, thanks anyway. i installed 325/50/15 nitto 555r in the rear and loved it. now ordered 275/50/15 for the front.