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Heater Hose Mod + Rear Lowering Springs. Good or Bad? Help!

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Old 06-12-2013, 08:25 PM
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Exclamation Heater Hose Mod + Rear Lowering Springs. Good or Bad? Help!

2000 WS6 Trans Am 275-40?45-17 tires.

OK, so I recently completed my suspension front and back. Changed all springs to BMR's and rear shocks to SLP's and rebuilt the front struts using new parts and SLP shocks.

I don't have rear seats and there is only carpet in the trunk and front seat area. I am sure that my car is sitting around 1/2" higher than what it normally would sit with the rear being lowered.

My question is...'cause I couldn't find the answer:
Does anyone think it is OK, fine to run the heater hose mod along with lowering springs and no rear seats?

I never run my tank more than half full, I don't like the added weight.

Please throw out your opinions. I'm sure it wouldn't sit higher up front, right?
Would this affect my recent alignment?
I also purchased a single adjustable pan hard bar, but the alignment guy told me I didn't need it so I told him not to bolt it on.
Old 06-12-2013, 08:31 PM
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I run strand springs with the heater hose mod, couldn't tell you if having back seats make a difference or not. If they are new springs give them a few weeks to set in.
Old 06-12-2013, 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by GMC5.3
I run strand springs with the heater hose mod, couldn't tell you if having back seats make a difference or not. If they are new springs give them a few weeks to set in.
I bought them lightly used, so they'v settled already.
Old 06-12-2013, 08:50 PM
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Does anyone know what I should go with?? No hose or hose?
Old 06-12-2013, 09:19 PM
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Don't do heater hose with lowering springs.
Old 06-13-2013, 05:36 AM
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Do it. I have BMR springs, with a SubThump dual 10" box in the trunk, and the rear still sits higher than the front.

The only reason I didn't do the hose mod yet is because I need to roll my fender lips due to wheel/tire selection.
Old 06-13-2013, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by themealonwheels
Don't do heater hose with lowering springs.
+1

Or if you do, replace those bumpstops while you're at it.
Old 06-13-2013, 10:09 AM
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It's so easy to do on the rear, just look at your current stance, then do the hose mod and see. C'mon man, it's like an hour of work to get your answer.
Old 06-13-2013, 10:17 AM
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Heater hose with stock springs would probably be
a better match to -1" front lowering springs. Dead
even drop makes the car look like it's leaning back.

There exist isolator "donuts" that give a minimal
rise, like hose mod but made for the job. I got a
pair from from a buddy for free, no evident mfr or
P/N - evidently nothing special and probably OE
standard equipment off some earlier GM vehicle.
Old 06-13-2013, 10:30 AM
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I read some place that mustang isolators fit from ES. But dont hold me to it.
Old 06-13-2013, 06:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Tbird232ci
Do it. I have BMR springs, with a SubThump dual 10" box in the trunk, and the rear still sits higher than the front.

The only reason I didn't do the hose mod yet is because I need to roll my fender lips due to wheel/tire selection.

OK, just got back from the auto store and I bought 3ft of 1/2" heater hose. I'll cut that in half and I'll do both BMR springs right now...I know it's like 15 minutes of work it's that easy. I'll take pics to show everyone how low this will go .

Again...I run not seats and less than half a tank all the time, I'm sure I won't be goin to low tho...just want to make up for the lost weight keepin it higher.

Last edited by BirdsOfAFeather; 06-13-2013 at 06:59 PM.
Old 06-13-2013, 07:02 PM
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You should have bought 5/8's hose
Old 06-13-2013, 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by 38DD2436
You should have bought 5/8's hose
Why? I just slid 1/2" over mine with a little motor oil for lube.
Old 06-13-2013, 08:20 PM
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Motor oil is going to soften and then eat through the rubber pretty fast with all the weight on the springs. You forgot that this is heater hose and not ment to be used as a isolater.
Old 06-13-2013, 08:25 PM
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I stuck with the oem biscuit...but would like to see your pics when done..
Old 06-13-2013, 08:26 PM
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there is a member who sells isolators...gimme a few and i'll get you the info..found it when I did my research for lowing springs...I like the eibachs but im sure the stranos are better..
Old 06-13-2013, 08:28 PM
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nasty c4

here his profile https://ls1tech.com/forums/member.php?u=73329
he responds quick..good luck..
Old 06-14-2013, 02:45 AM
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Originally Posted by 38DD2436
You should have bought 5/8's hose
IDK, 1/2" went on pretty snug. BTW, I used silicon grease to slide it on, still was a bit tuff.

That isolator is pretty dang thick.

I had to heel kick the springs off even after I lowered the axle, I remember doing that when taking the stock springs off, thought I didn't have to with these shorter ones, guess the Bilsteins push up a bit more than the stock shocks. Without the iso's now I'm sure the short springs will go in easy tho.


Originally Posted by Randolph Ziskey
I stuck with the oem biscuit...but would like to see your pics when done..
I thought I was going to finish last night but I'm gonna go ahead and paint brush my rear calipers blue with about 4 coats while I have the rear wheels off... It's a Silver bird so it will look good. I'll do the front's after I post the pics of the rear stance.
Old 06-14-2013, 03:34 AM
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Yea you could run the hose mod with lowering springs. I had them off with my Strano's but put them back on because it was too low. If you have an aluminum spacer between your bump stops, remove them.
Old 06-14-2013, 03:34 PM
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BirdsOfAFeather, where are you at in MD?


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