I just installed a disc brake conversion kit on my 1967 convertible. I did not get drop spindles, but the front end looks a bit lower. I did replace the coil spings, but just put in stock replacements. I am running 17 inch wheels, so I know they take up a lot of space. Does anybody have any experience using coil spacers, and if so, any recommendations? Or should I just go with an adjustable coil / shock system (i.e. QA-1)? Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

Need more info....if money is no object toss in some QA1s. I would check with the manufacturer of the replacement springs for numbers.

What size motor and what is the difference in the tire clearance height? 1"...2"

What size wheel and tire profile did you have before and were the old springs stock?

Are you rubbing?

 

Shevrolay - Thanks for the response. The car has a 350, and clearance is only about 1 inch, so the tire rubs when I hit any significant bump. Wheels are 17", and tires are fairly low profile. I am pretty sure the stance has not changed with the brake conversion, and that clearance was an issue when I bought, as the dealer installed the 17s for sale. I talked with the guys at QA-1, and they said normally their systems are used to lower stance, not raise. I can afford to buy, but want to make sure I get the result I am looking for. Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

We both have 67's, outside of the frame (Convt) the suspensions are identical. There are only a few things that affect front end height...Spindles, Coil Springs, Wheel Size, and Tire Profile.

I believe 17's work well with first gens, you mentioned your running a low profile size like a 245-255 something I would imagine. So I don't think it's the tire/wheel combo since the Spindles would still dictate wheel height.

Since you replaced the Springs, I would make sure the spring rates are correct for s/b and you didn't receive Springs for an in-line 6 cylinder:

http://www.camaros.org/images/pages/...nt_springs.jpg

If Spindles came with your Brake Kit, I would check to make sure that they are not Drop Spindles despite what the Kit says.

QA'1's are nice, but really don't have much to do with your situation since they are best used for lowering as mentioned. Take a look at my profile album, I have 17 x 7's, Stock Spindles, Baer Discs, Kumho Ecsta 245-40's, Comp. Eng. Adjustable 3-Way Shocks with Eibach 1" lowering springs. This gives me a height clearance of 2.5 inches from the top of the tire to outer wheel well lip. For me, I may bump up the 40's to 50's since I hit a pothole and already bent 1 rim.

The only other thing I can think of is that maybe A-Arms have been relocated. I've seen suspension articles of "How to" relocate the A-Arms for better handling. There are guys on here better qualified than I am that might be able to shed a little more light on this for you.

Best of Luck!

 

- What brand and part number of spring did you put in?
- What is the total length of the springs you removed?
- How many coils (total turns from spring end to spring end are there?
- What is the wire diameter of the springs you removed?

The info on the old springs may tell me how close they are to being spec for the configuration you have.

Did you think you needed springs?

I've used rubber coil spacers. I believe they're made from a 70 durometer rubber and are quite durable. I've had a set in my 71 Monte for just over 10 years with maybe 10% sag on an inch spacer over that amount of time.

Thickness range from 1/2" up to I believe 2?" Why did you need new springs again?

.

 

Shevrolay - I put some old style spacers (metal that your turn in place with a ratchet) in and they worked to raise the clearence about 1 1/2 inches. Based on this and your info, I went ahead and ordered big block springs (YK Code) from Camaro Central. I'll let you know how things turn out. Thanks again for the help!

 

Buckeye69 - I put a disc brake conversion kit on the car this spring and since I had it apart, and the springs looked like they were the originals, I went ahead and replaced with stock spring (YS code) bought from Rick's Camaros. I compared the ones I bought with the originals and they looked identical. I just bought the car this winter, so I am not 100% there was good clearance to start with. I know the dealer I bought the car from (American Dream Machines, Des Moines, Iowa) put the 17" wheels / tires on when he completed the restoration.

As posted above, I bought big block springs, which should fix the problem. Thanks for the help!

 

I want to know the best way to lower my 67 Camaro. And which is better springs or drop spindals for a 2"

 

Spindles!! Imo

 

Funny, opinions are always so black and white....

That's kind of an open ended question since there are many different manufacturers of drop spindles. From everything I have read including articles from Kyle Tucker at Detroit Speed and Engineering Lowering Springs is the best choice to keep the front end geometry correct.

However in the last 2 years some companies, including D.S.E. have come out better drop spindles that improve camber, I can't remember if they require tubular A-Arms or not though.

You can check my album, I have 1 inch Eibach lowering springs matched to 17" TTII wheels.