calling all heavy guys

[wazazzle]

i'm a big guy, 250lbs and so are my buddies. i never have more than just one passanger, so about 500lbs total in the car. right now i have a stock 5.0lx and was thinking of lowering and getting new shocks. my question is... should i even consider lowing it or will it bottom out and clunk all the time. that and i live in city, so i have my fair share of bumps. was hoping to install kyb-gr2 shocks/stuts and eibach sportlines. is this a bad idea? what do you big guys recommend???

 

[wazazzle]

...

 

[stang8urimport]

When you put shorter springs on a car, the lower the stance. But the spring rate is much higher (how stiff the spring is), so it shouldn't have any problems bottoming out. I'm 6'4'' and 250ish and have had large friends in the car, and never had problems with rubbing or bottoming out. The car is lowered about 2 inches via Saleen Racecraft Springs.

 

[Redfire 05]

I don't know if this applies or not, but I had a Buick GN not long ago that I installed lowering springs in and had no problems with bottoming out. At the time I weighed in at close to 300 (althogh I'm much better now).

Plus if you're springs are 10 years or more old they are probably sagging considerably anyway. So it shouldn't make a huge difference in ride height unless you go with a drastic drop. I went with a 1 inch front and 7/8 inch rear on my buick and I think it might have sat up a little higher.

 

[5spd GT]

My springs aren't in to good of shape in the back (or front for that matter) and when I put even "little ones" in the back it will further a drag when I go up a hill or hit a bump with my driveshaft to my e-brake bracket

 

[HISSIN50]

a person's weight is a small factor in dynamics (especially considering the delta in your weight vs the average guy's weight). Nick is right about lowering springs being more progressive (the ride could even be a lot better afterwards if you are compressing stock dampers a good ways right now). And you are still way under the GVWR.......

My 94 is dropped a couple (Eibachs) and it has a Lot less suspension travel than the 88 GT vert with poly everything and fresh suspension.

(I am 250#).

Good luck.

 

[The Fox]

I'm getting eibach's drag launch and strange 10ways all around on my 88. The rear sags BAD right now (still has 4cyl suspension) and I was wondering what kind of increase I'm looking at. I'm hoping for that badass stance where you have the car doing a nosedive with about a 2-3 inch nosedive with skinnies in the front and slicks in the back.

Oh yeah, if it's the beer that's packin on the LBs lay off or cut back and you'll see a drastic drop. My dad did that and lost a lot. The beer gut is disappearing. Carbs are easy weight adders. Sorry, had to add that...

Anthony