ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

I may be putting cats back on the car and with the little clearance the Edelbrock LT's and Y give me now, it looks like it would be a good idea to raise it back up a bit. The springs I have now came on the car and I believe they dropped it about 1.75-2". It's pretty damn low with my exhaust setup and I really have to be careful about pretty much every bump. So, I'll be going with either DMS or Hotchkis springs but am wondering how each would compare to my stance right now (keeping in mind I still have stock shocks ). Personal opinions on the ride quality of each is also very welcome. Here's my stance now...






And here's a pic of the stance with the stock 16's for reference...

Rescue Ranger

iTrader: (10)

I know the sticky has pics of DMS springs and Hotchkiss springs on various cars.

ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

Yes, but no one has given feedback on ride quality and whether they're overall happy with them or not. I see a couple decent pics of DMS springs but the two Hotchkis cars are completely opposites. The first one by the original poster shows(claims) a 1" drop. The other Hotchkis owner shows (claims) it's a 1 3/4+ drop. It's a bit confusing to say the least and I figured it would be a lot easier for the DMS Hotchkis owners to look at my drop and say theirs is higher/lower rather than having to give specific ride height or drop height numbers.

OneMeanZ

iTrader: (2)

These are DMS springs I had were a nice look and lowered the car a good amount. Rode really nice with Koni's on the front. Had no problems with them, sold them so I can get some Ground Controls later this summer. Here is a pic.

ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

Were you running the rear isolator?

OneMeanZ

iTrader: (2)

Nope, had a 5/8th piece of heater hose there.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

To answer your question in two ways:

1. I prefer Hotchkis springs over the DMS springs for a variety of reasons. Rates, drop, workability with damper selections.

2. Either way the car will ride pretty crappy with the stock shocks on it. The Hotchkis will be ever so slightly better because the rates are *closer* to the stock rates (but not my much, and still much stiffer.... and remember the stock shocks can't damp the stock springs properly to start with).

Do yourself a big favor and don't lower the car until you can put some suitable shocks on the car.

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

Hotchkis springs. Kind of the same angle as OneMeanZ's (NICE, by the way!), to give you an idea.



With my shock/spring/swaybar combo, I'm thrilled with the ride and handling.


-Mike

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Just wait until I can get you on a 35mm front bar Mike.

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

Vile temptress! Thou shalt not make me spend any more money!

At least until next month.



-Mike

ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

Strano - The car needs to be raised a bit, so it's not an option to wait until I have money for shocks. Those will come in due time, so right now I'm more concerned about the quality/ride height (without being so close to stock ride height that it feels like i wasted money). So you're saying Hotchkis is the way to go, but I'm a bit concerned about the extreme varying ride heights. Some really look like they only dropped 1" and others report that it dropped 2". I realize you're going to have slightly varying ride heights from car to car, but some of these are pretty drastic.

Chupr0 - what kind of drop did you get from the springs? Can you measure from the ground to the apex of the front and rear fenders?

OneMeanZ

iTrader: (2)

Thanks man, I'm at stock height now and it's killing me. Can't wait till summer when I can get my rear Koni's and Ground Controls

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

Both front and rear are right in the neighborhood of 26.5".


-Mike

ArcticZ28

iTrader: (14)

Thanks a lot for checking for me.

1 SIC Z

iTrader: (34)

Could you pm me or post up more pics. I have these springs and want to see more pics. Thanks

John

OneMeanZ

iTrader: (2)

I just put my Hotchkis springs on last night.......******* bad ***. Nuff said.

1 SIC Z

iTrader: (34)

more pics dang it.....

John

chupr0kabra

iTrader: (10)

http://photobucket.com/albums/y251/c...2006%20Detail/

http://photobucket.com/albums/y251/c...20rims%20done/


-Mike

02SS0384

iTrader: (1)

I've got Hotchkis with Bilstein revalves and run cat's and have plenty of ground clearance.

bearcatpride

iTrader: (3)

Did you cut anything off the front springs or did you install them straight from the box?

I'm asking because I have BMR springs (1" drop like Hotchkis) and I'm thinking about shaving 1/3 of a coil from the fronts to give the car a nice rake and a meaner stance