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Raise front height?

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Old Jun 14, 2013 | 10:39 PM
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Default Raise front height?

Just installed Strano springs all around and they FEEL great. Very noticeable upgrade from the stock springs. I paired them with Bilsteins and have been very pleased.

However, my condo complex has a TON of speed bumps and I feared I might have an issue with one or two of them depending on the amount of the drop. Sure enough, my y-pipe / cats are dragging on two of them. I'm getting tired of parking a 1/3 mile away from my unit and am looking for a solution.

Any thoughts on a practical way to get an extra half inch of clearance on the front? If I can get that straight, I guess I can just go add heater hose to the rears (and keep the isolators) to level it back out.

As far as my approach goes, I'm going to be hard pressed to modify the exhaust any more. Hoping the fix is suspension related.

Thanks!
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 12:38 AM
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Get some hardened 1/8" thick washers that are big enough in diameter to cover as much mount area a possible under each bolt hole on the lower shock mounts. These washers will be placed between the LCA and the shocks lower mounts. You'll need at least 1/4" to 3/8" of stacked washers to raise it up 1/2", so you'll need 8-12 washers. You might also need longer mount bolts.

Last edited by 99Bluz28; Jun 15, 2013 at 01:04 AM.
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 10:53 AM
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BMR makes a spacer to raise the front 1/2 inch.http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=p...&productid=506 Have you tried going at the speed bumps at an angle?
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 01:05 PM
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I just got done getting my car stance just the way I want it. I installed Strano springs and, as is usually the case, they sat a bit higher up front than I wanted. I installed BMR 1" lowering springs which slammed the front and created issues. I am aware of the BMR part, but I didn't get it. For one, I could't wait on it to get here. For another, I didn't need it. I just took some sheet metal (scrap from work), cut it into squares, stacked it till I got the hight I wanted and drilled a hole for the bolt. Worked perfectly. Raised it just a hair less than 1/2" back up. I think the car sits perfectly now.
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Old Jun 15, 2013 | 01:45 PM
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Having same problem, like midnight02. Want to raise the front end 1" higher, to help clear long tube headers collector, cats and y pipe. I Like the bmr shock spacer. But at $40 a pair, I hope I can find something cheaper.
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 07:31 AM
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This is unacceptable!!


Find another condo complex that is more "gearhead oriented", with smaller speedbumps.
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 09:37 AM
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^^^^^^^ I'm with him, write a letter
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 09:45 AM
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Keep hitting the same spot spot on the speed bump until you clearance it.

My UMI three points have been the culprit since dropping mine. Have stock wheels/tires right now but have some Z06 18's on order and am going to run a 275/40 all around which will gain a half inch of ride height back. Not the solution you're looking for I know but I feel your pain.
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 12:56 PM
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I'm sorry to hear everyone else also has clearance issues.

I completely agree regarding the speed bumps. They're ridiculous. I understand that kids are playing (and I'm a father) so I creep around, however there are 7 speed bumps between the complex entrance and my place with a couple "monsters" that are not practical. They replaced a couple with speed tables after repaving however the way they're graded make them even more problematic!

I really like the BMR spacer idea because it's clean and easy. Unfortunately I'm not very handy (lack of tools, lack of space to do things, etc.) so I like the idea of just buying a part made especially for this issue.

One more question -- would the BMR spacers also work in the rear? Thinking I could add the 1/2" spacers all around and then add heater hose in the back to bump the rear up a little more to level it out (I have the typical setup that looks like the rear sits lower even though they measure out to be level).
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by SSellers
Keep hitting the same spot spot on the speed bump until you clearance it.

My UMI three points have been the culprit since dropping mine. Have stock wheels/tires right now but have some Z06 18's on order and am going to run a 275/40 all around which will gain a half inch of ride height back. Not the solution you're looking for I know but I feel your pain.
HAHA! I like the thought of that. Just checked under the car to see how things are holding up and right now the bumps are winning. Shiny stainless cats are taking a beating and my cutout bracket is scraped up nicely!

I've also been bouncing around the tire idea. Have new rears sitting here ready to go on for the track and need to replace the front soon. I presume I could get a tire with a larger diameter (assuming it will still clear when turning) and that would buy me a little extra wiggle room. In theory, I would think a tire with 0.50" greater diameter than the Nitto 555's I'm running right now would get me a bump of 0.25".
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 04:05 PM
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Yeah, most run a 275/35 which retains stock height but a 275/40 has 14mm more sidewall so it's a little over an inch larger in diameter which nets a little over a half inch in ride height.
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 07:08 PM
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Just went outside and took a look at things. Looks like the spacer (BMR or homemade with sheet metal) would work great in the front, however that doesn't appear to be an option in the rear.

Is it possible to get a 3/4" lift from adding heater hose to the existing rears (isolators still in place)?
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 07:36 PM
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Global West has some aluminum 3/4" spacers for the rear spring seats.
PT# 1627, about $24 each, so about $50 .
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Old Jun 16, 2013 | 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 99Bluz28
Global West has some aluminum 3/4" spacers for the rear spring seats.
PT# 1627, about $24 each, so about $50 .
That is absolutely golden!

There's no way in the world I would've known to look for that. Thanks for your help.

Pair of those in the rear, pair of the 1/2" BMR spacers in the front and I think I might be able to park close to my home again!
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 12:13 AM
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FYI, I just looked at the GW website and they list it as a 1" spacer, but summit racing list it as 3/4" ..?

Last edited by 99Bluz28; Jun 18, 2013 at 07:32 PM.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 09:21 AM
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Originally Posted by SSellers
Yeah, most run a 275/35 which retains stock height but a 275/40 has 14mm more sidewall so it's a little over an inch larger in diameter which nets a little over a half inch in ride height.
Isn't 275/40 stock for 17 inch wheels?
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 09:27 AM
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I've got a set of BMR spacers for the front I've never used (and will obviously never need) if someone needs a pair.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by z28bryan
Isn't 275/40 stock for 17 inch wheels?

I'm talking about on 18's. Post #8.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by SSellers
I'm talking about on 18's. Post #8.
Oh yes! 275/35 for 18's
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 10:02 AM
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Are you sure there's no way around the speed bumps? I hate to see anyone who uses their car for driving events muck with their setup for stuff like speed bumps.

My car hits speed bumps depending on how big they are and how I approach them. I kind of approach at an angle and try to go slow when I descend off of them. I bottom out once in a while.. maybe I should be more concerned, lol
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