Bottoming out

by Dinomyte Sun May 29, 2016 10:37 am

Since I put side pipes on last summer I've had issues bottoming out. I realize that clearance is less the way the exhaust is routed now, but didn't think I would have issues.

When I drive down one of our particularly "wavy" streets even at 15m/h or less I bottom.

I go down a large hill in my neighborhood and at the bottom I hear scrapes.

So my questions are

How can I tell if this is too much travel in my suspension (worn springs) ? (shocks are newish 3 year old front 2 year old back all KYB - about 5000miles on them)

or is it exhaust that's just too low ?

My guess is that these are the original springs. (sorry no part numbers)

I've read every post I could find here but nothing describes how to know if you're springs are good or worn.

Thanks for the hlelp.

by bigredlaguna Sun May 29, 2016 3:56 pm

It could be that the original springs have sagged a bit over the years, but the factory springs generally didn't have a very high spring rate to begin with. This is how this generation of cars got the pillow soft ride. This also means that the car moves up and down a lot more when weight (or gravity ) is applied. Other than removing the pipes, you may need to replace the springs with a set that has a stiffer rate. The car will have a little bit rougher ride (aka road feel ) but it won't compress as easily and will keep your pipes off the road more often.

by Dinomyte Tue May 31, 2016 8:24 pm

Ok so this fits with what I was thinking. The springs I was looking at were the HD springs for the car. That's Moog CS584 (front) and 5387 rear. The other question is what about coil overs? Just a thought I had when talking to a friend.

thanks again to everyone.

by Dinomyte Sun Jun 05, 2016 1:43 pm

Finally got around to getting under the car and dinging out just how much clearance I've got underneath.

Drivers side 2 3/4"
pass side almost 3"

Any body got a number that's a minimum for these cars? I know this is got to be too low.

thanks

by Limey SE Sun Jun 05, 2016 3:03 pm

My friend Dustin is St Louis has his pretty low, It cant fit a Coke 12 oz can under engine cradle

by Dinomyte Sun Jun 05, 2016 3:46 pm

Limey SE wrote:My friend Dustin is St Louis has his pretty low, It cant fit a Coke 12 oz can under engine cradle

Is that can on it's side (2 1/2") or standing up? Smile

Also what's suspension setup like ?

by Limey SE Sun Jun 05, 2016 4:47 pm

I believe standing up

Bottoming out 261625_207965802582521_1805818_n

Bottoming out 10407201_791089374274060_6177823961962751036_n

Bottoming out 10520581_743241442392187_4196639562831718055_n

by Dinomyte Sun Jun 05, 2016 4:53 pm

That's almost double what I've got clearance under my exhaust. I'm beginning to thing to cool factor of side-pipes isn't worth the aggravation / repairs.... I've replaced header / head gasket already and got a leak again. Seems to happen after I bottom a couple of times. I didn't even get a chance to re-torque them this time (maybe that's it this time)

by Limey SE Sun Jun 05, 2016 5:23 pm

send them to the Good ol USA c/o of Limey LMAO

by Dinomyte Sun Jun 05, 2016 6:00 pm

Limey -- I laughed so hard I fell out of my chair. I'll have to get a seat-belt from Mcarlo77 before I read another of your posts. . . . Smile

BTW that's a nice looking ride.

by Hawk03 Wed Jun 08, 2016 10:13 pm

I think if you were able to move the connection point up more you would be okay. The connection from the header to the side pipe seem to hang really low.

Bottoming out 20150716

by Limey SE Fri Jun 10, 2016 7:02 pm

oh my That does hang low And I agree w/ Hawk try adjusting that Coinection Point that looks like where the trouble lies

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