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How low can you go?

Horseplay

I Don't Care. Do you?
Donator
At what point does ground clearance become a concern? As my car sits now, I have exactly 3" from the bottom of the header collector ring (lowest point) to the ground. This could decrease if the front suspension settles a bit with driving.

I used engine drop mounts wanting to gain a bit of hood clearance so today I will do some measuring to see if I can maybe swap them out and find a bit more breathing room. I really like the long tubes and want to retain them. I do not want to raise the body, if possible, as the tire tuck right up under the opening lips for a great look.

Who has a low rider of any kind with a fair amount of street time on it that can shed some light?
 
The header collector shoulnd't be too bad. It's pretty close in line with the front wheels, isn't it. Just behind a bit. The closer the low hanging items are to being in line with the wheels the better. Just make sure you go over any bumps/ramps/dips straight on. Thats been my experience.
 
The headers run back quite a bit beyond the axle line so things like speed bumps, etc. will be a problem. I'm more concerned about sloping drive entrances and such. Likely going to have to swap out to a set of FPA's or dare I say a mid length set. Will have to see how things go here driving around. The local cruise night happens on an old downtown street where they have installed some pretty significant speed "humps" that I am quite sure I will not be able to navigate over. Looks like I will be one of many that have to park on a cross street meeting the main drag!
 
I will take a measurement when I get home later, but our car sits fairly low. I can't even fit my floor jack under the third member without driving the car up on blocks first. My TCI subframe connectors and driveshaft loop are close to the ground as well. The driveshaft loop kept me from being able to load it onto my flatbed trailer. I can tell you, with over 5,000 real world miles that it has never ground on a speed bump or steep driveway.
 
I will take a measurement when I get home later, but our car sits fairly low. I can't even fit my floor jack under the third member without driving the car up on blocks first. My TCI subframe connectors and driveshaft loop are close to the ground as well. The driveshaft loop kept me from being able to load it onto my flatbed trailer. I can tell you, with over 5,000 real world miles that it has never ground on a speed bump or steep driveway.
Thanks, Ken!
 
Is this the car you were getting ready for the Power Tour last, Ah I mean this, Oh shoot maybe next years event?

_____________________________
Never argue with a Moron. They'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
 
Is this the car you were getting ready for the Power Tour last, Ah I mean this, Oh shoot maybe next years event?

_____________________________
Never argue with a Moron. They'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.
Sad, right. But remember that I pulled the plug last year when I missed the deadline and then proceeded to once again tear it down and build the new engine, etc. etc. etc. Those of us in the Midwest only have a few months a year to tinker before winter takes away the fun. One day I will get a heated shop like Bill maybe and gain more time.
 
Ok....bottom of pinch weld on the rockers sits at 6-1/4”. The subframe connectors sit at 4”. The lowest part is the exhaust just past the collectors (mid length headers), it sits at 3-1/2” from the ground. This is a straight section of pipe that runs from about 24” behind front wheel centerline to 36” behind front wheel centerline. Have never had an issue dragging any part of the car on the ground. We do try to avoid the monster speed bumps, but low speed has gotten it over everything to date.
 
Thanks, Ken. Sounds very similar to my lowest areas. My low point on the connectors is also dead on at 4". You just have me beat by about a half inch on the exhaust. Good news is it made it off / on the driveway without scraping! I connected with Stan at FPA today and his headers will give me a ton more room but at a cost of $700 plus freight for bare metal. I will probably roll the dice this season and make that swap over the winter.
 
I had to go to FPA mid length or "Shorty" headers because my long tubes would drag on everything. My car is not "slammed" but with long tubes I couldn't hardly drive it anywhere. Since switching to the FPA's I can go almost anywhere. There are still a few times I get a scrap but nothing too serious.
 
Like you inferred, unless you have a heated and insulated shop.
I was talking about the nice weather driving season in the Midwest/North being short and leaving something hanging until winter to wrench on it so to be able to spend more time enjoying the car. I'm assuming you don't do a lot of cruising inside your shop, of course.
 
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