Ground Clearance
Ground Clearance Not sure where to put this, but since it's mostly exhaust I picked this forum:
What has everyone done to improve ground clearance, specifically on the cats/I-pipe of stockish exhausts? My cats/i always scrape over speed bumps, and as this is my daily driver it's important I maximize clearance, secondary to keeping the slight drop I have with Hotchkis springs. I'd like to keep it CA-legal for smog.
As you can guess, performance right now is secondary. (gasp!)
So far, I've only got a few suggestions:
1) Raise it back to stock (fugly)
2) Remove cats/Short Cats (fail smog)
3) Shorten headers (fail smog)
4) Raise back to stock, GFX kit (wheel wells still fugly)
5) Raise it back to stock, lower body panels (haven't seen this, I heard someone with a slammed TA did this?)
Any ideas? Shops I've talked to have said it can't be done and stay smog legal.
What has everyone done to improve ground clearance, specifically on the cats/I-pipe of stockish exhausts? My cats/i always scrape over speed bumps, and as this is my daily driver it's important I maximize clearance, secondary to keeping the slight drop I have with Hotchkis springs. I'd like to keep it CA-legal for smog.
As you can guess, performance right now is secondary. (gasp!)
So far, I've only got a few suggestions:
1) Raise it back to stock (fugly)
2) Remove cats/Short Cats (fail smog)
3) Shorten headers (fail smog)
4) Raise back to stock, GFX kit (wheel wells still fugly)
5) Raise it back to stock, lower body panels (haven't seen this, I heard someone with a slammed TA did this?)
Any ideas? Shops I've talked to have said it can't be done and stay smog legal.
I cant help with the cats since my factory one ('93) tucks up nicely
however, on the I-pipe, my Borla system (purchased used) fit very well but the curve just before the axle was the lowest part hanging down. I removed the I-pipe and cut an inch at a time off where it goes into the [over the axle] pipe. In total, I think I removed just under 3 inches and now the entire I-pipe sits flush with the floor pan all the way back. I've driven around 4k mi and it doesnt rub or squeak so I'm happy w it
however, on the I-pipe, my Borla system (purchased used) fit very well but the curve just before the axle was the lowest part hanging down. I removed the I-pipe and cut an inch at a time off where it goes into the [over the axle] pipe. In total, I think I removed just under 3 inches and now the entire I-pipe sits flush with the floor pan all the way back. I've driven around 4k mi and it doesnt rub or squeak so I'm happy w it
wait are you saying your factory exhaust hits with just lowering springs? ridiculous. haha..
I think Vinr1 has the right idea; if you can lose some material after the cats it wont effect smog (obviously). My first thought up front was flattened pipes (if necessary) and smaller cats, but idk why shops would say its undoable?
I think Vinr1 has the right idea; if you can lose some material after the cats it wont effect smog (obviously). My first thought up front was flattened pipes (if necessary) and smaller cats, but idk why shops would say its undoable?
wait are you saying your factory exhaust hits with just lowering springs? ridiculous. haha..
I think Vinr1 has the right idea; if you can lose some material after the cats it wont effect smog (obviously). My first thought up front was flattened pipes (if necessary) and smaller cats, but idk why shops would say its undoable?
I think Vinr1 has the right idea; if you can lose some material after the cats it wont effect smog (obviously). My first thought up front was flattened pipes (if necessary) and smaller cats, but idk why shops would say its undoable?
They said replacing cats with shortened cats wouldn't pass smog. I'm not an expert on smog, so came here. This was a pretty reputable ls1 exhaust place here in SJ.
i could see why shortened cats would cause an issue, but there are a lot of aftermarket cats, and if youre running manifolds id think they could figure some way to tuck it up. We all know these cars suck for pipes and clearance, but people stll run longtubes, and people still do over-the-axle true duals.. its just a matter of getting it done, i guess
