_JB_

iTrader: (33)

I am in the process of rebuilding my front end and taking the car back to stock height (coming from Stranos). Right now the car is back together minus steering rack and front swaybar connected, but here are the measurements:

FL: 29 3\4
FR: 29
RL: 28 7/8
RR: 28 1/4

Here's all the parts I've used:

Front:
Koni Str.t
ACDELCO 45H0233 springs (marked for 00-02 Camaro SS on Rock Auto)
MOOG K6490 front lower control arm bushings (horizontal and vertical bushings)
MOOG K6689 both upper control arm bushings
MOOG K6462 upper ball joint
MOOG K6145T lower ball joint
MOOG K6517 and MOOG K6516 top strut mounts
MOOG K6573 upper control arm body isolator
MOOG K80927 spring seat (sanded to fit in Str.t perch)

Rear:
Heater hose mod (due to MWC 9")
Koni SA
ACDELCO 45H3025 springs
Stock control arms
MWC poly pahhard bar
BMR panhard relocator

Things I've tried:
-Used GM service manual for disassembly\reassembly and torque specs.
-All LCA bushings and panhard were tightened with the suspension loaded to prevent bind. I even tried loosening the bolts but there was no change.
-I jumped up and down on the front/rear; no change.
-Front springs are indexed in both the lower and upper seat.
-Rotated the RL coil in 90* increments; no change.
-No type of weight savings in front (other than !AIR).
-Stock 275/40/17 tires all around

Honestly if I could get the front close to 28" I'd be happy but damn it looks like the engine is missing! I've been searching on here it it appears there's a connection with Koni Str.t and height issues. I went from Strano+DeCarbons and got exactly 1.25 drop. 2-3 years ago I moved to Strano+Str.t+Moog strut mounts+Moog spring seats, which caused the Strano drop to be cut in half.

Brainstorm time:
-Spring perch on Str.t sit higher than stock?
-Anyone know how high Koni SA's spring perch sits vs Str.t?
-**** Str.t, get SAs with lower perch?
-Moog parts are not to factory specs, taller? Anyone have stock version of K6517 to measure?
-Remove Moog K80927 spring seat and do heater hose mod (seems like a bad idea)
-Drive and allow springs to settle (I highly doubt front will drop 1-2")
-Hire\acquire heavy midget and hide in front bumper?
-Anyone have ideas?

stp001

Go back to Strano springs, and install spacers at bottom of front shock, and top of rear spring until desired ride height is achieved.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Its the springs.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

That did cross my mind as I saw BMR makes spacers, but if I'm going to stock height I want the benefits of it as well. It's definitely a last resort.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

I'm not sure about that as when I added Str.t and Moog strut components my Strano springs drop went from 1.25" to .75". Unless I'm not torquing the shock screw all the way, I torqued it down enough to see the Moog strut mount start to compress. I totally might have installed something wrong however.

There are similar threads about Moog and Str.t components causing ride height issues, here's one:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-much-why.html

Majestic9C1

iTrader: (19)

find some OEM V6 springs to put on the front

The Batman

iTrader: (4)

I have seen those aftermarket "stock replacement" springs jack up a few cars in the past.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

Just bought Koni SA and complete strut assemblies from a 2002 WS6. My goal is to pop in the strut assembly and see how the car sits. If it sits fine I'll swap the DeCarbons for SAs and see if anything changes. I'll also get measurements on shocks and strut mounts to see how Moog and Str.t compares to OEM.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

Good to know. There isn't much info on here about those springs. One guy said they worked fine, and what's weird Rock Auto states those springs (ACDELCO 45H0233) do not exist for a 2002 Trans Am, but DO exist for a 2002 Camaro, specifically for SS models.

30thanniv

iTrader: (2)

Probably needs time to settle down with driving.

But I understand how unsettling it can be to see it like that.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

^^^^nope, they wont settle much.

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

So I finally got the full stock strut assemblies from 2002 WS6. I half-assed installed them and the front sat about 28". I swapped the DeCarbons for Koni SAs, kept all other stock stuff (spring seat, isolator, ect.), used the SA's top perch and now I have:

FL: 27.25"
FR: 27"

Still need to get an alignment and tires look low on air so those numbers might move a little, however I'm very happy with the outcome! I have some rear WS6 springs on the way too that I'll swap in and see what happens. Hopefully Rock Auto takes back at least the front springs I ordered, because those are horrible!

The Batman

iTrader: (4)

Good to hear! I have a buddy that replaced some rear springs a few months ago with a moog. That thing sat high enough I felt I could set a beer can on the tire haha

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

lol I bet a can might have fit here on the passenger side, driver side was 3/4" higher!