I want to get the front end of my 70 Chevelle up about 1.5 - 2 inches because i need some extra ground clearance for my headers and deep tranny(TH400) finned pan.

I have been told that 0.5 inch aluminum plates (NAPA, "shims" placed beteeen the coil seat in the frame and the bottom of the coil spring) will give me 1 to 1.5 inches of lift.

So, I am planning on using these plus some coil spring loaded shocks to give me some lift and increase the resistance to the tranny pan bottoming out on the road when I come to unexpected dips.

Any comments on how this plus rear air bags (separate lines / systems) to keep car level (rear up same amount) will affect handling will be appreciated.

I am very open to comments suggestions etc.

I do want to stay with the stock wheels so 15 inch rims with taller tires, tho easier is not something I am considering, since i just put new BFG Radial T/A 245/60R14 on 3 days agoand because these tires with my 3.31 gears are very similar to taller 15 inch tires with 3.73s.

Rich,

I don't think a .5 inch spacer between the coil and the frame pocket (at the top) or between the coil and the A-arm (bottom) is going to raise the car 1.5 to 2 inches. The spring rate is not being increased so you're only going to see a .5 (the thickness of the spacer) rise. I'm also not sure if you are going to be able to get a coil spring assisted shock through the bottom of the A-arm.

Seems to me these measures are band aids; your front springs may simply be too weak.

If you are going to the trouble of compressing the spring enough to install the spacer, you may want to consider simply replacing the front springs.

Just my opinion.....

Dan

I would say that it will raise it more than .5" but not 2". Take a ruler, put a pencil under it about half way down. Push down on one end (the bushing end) measure the 'open' (ball joint) end. Its at least twice the thickness of the pencil. All that levers and fulcrums stuff..... ugh! Best do as Dan says and put some HD springs in the thing. Now you see why my car has stock manifolds and pans, etc. Oh yeah, I did lower it 1.5" front and rear smile.gif

thanks for your input guys

yes, its becasue of that fulcrum concept that the spacers are supposed to raise the vehicle by 2-3X the spacer thickness (per the NAPA catalogue)

this is a bandage for low headers and the deep tranny pan

the springs are new moog BB springs (actually 30k on them now)

body sits at what i expect is the proper level but i just am paranoid of ripping the bottom of the pan out as a local friend of mine (with similar set up) did

if i can get the whole car up 1.5 - 2 inches all the way around and increase the spring rate that would most likely be an acceptable and workable "bandage"

MOOG # 6330 will get the desired lift your looking for,just installed them in my car trying to get a little more weight transfer,,,doesnt have the raked look it once had,but don't have to worry about headers and the DeRale trans pan anymore. They raised my car 1.5"-2",taller installed height than big block a/c springs.

The under or over coil spacers were used by alot of us in the 60's to get that jacked up look ..IIRC the rise was doubled when the spacer put on top and less on bottom on bottom ...I put one on bottom and one on top of my 66 way back in about 71 to raise up 2" ..... tore car all apart last year still intack and till sat high ..but the wagon coils 6330 is your best solution as Rapid suggests

Thought about Coil-Overs?