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Posted by: DickSteinkamp May 25 2018, 09:03 PM

I know..."If it's too low...I'm too old". But maybe not in this case.

1976 with a SBC conversion using Renegade and Kennedy parts. Stock rear springs.

I'd like it to sit 1 1/2" higher in the rear (I don't want the front any lower).

What's the solution?
New stock rear springs?
914-6 rear springs?
Some after market springs?
Adjustable spring plates?



Thanks!

Posted by: mepstein May 25 2018, 09:09 PM

Probably 180lb springs. Place a WTB in the classifieds. A member here probably has a set.

Posted by: toolguy May 25 2018, 09:47 PM

Bilstein shocks for height adjustment and 180-200 lb springs

Posted by: Steve May 25 2018, 10:00 PM

Buy a set of Rebel Racing adjustable coil overs. You can manually adjust the ride height. I had to do this when I upgraded to a 915 trans.

Posted by: barefoot May 26 2018, 04:32 AM

El-cheapo mod is to use some short pipe couplers placed over the top spring mount.
(That's how mine was configured when i got it)

Posted by: bdstone914 May 26 2018, 08:31 AM

I can see how that could work on the bottom perch as long as they are not Boge shocks. They are special and locate the lower perches on three nubs. Putting it on top spring mount will compress the spring. Adding it to the bottom will also compress the spring too.

Better to get adjustable perch shocks that others suggested.

Posted by: JRust May 26 2018, 11:57 AM

Second the 180lb springs. Coil overs are great as you can adjust to what you like. Just springs alone you are stuck with where it sits. I like the option of setting it where I think it looks best

Posted by: My 914 May 26 2018, 12:27 PM

If you go to all the trouble, it will be nice to have some flexibility in the final height.

Posted by: Chris914n6 May 26 2018, 02:45 PM

Stock springs are 100lbs and no good for the weight of a V8. 180lb springs are common at most p-car stores. Renegade sells 200lb springs last time I checked that supposedly match better with the stiffer 911 front suspension swap.

Stock shocks will work just fine unless they are dead/leaking. Bilsteins are great for our cars plus have the advantage of some height adjustability. The KYB (white) are valved too stiff and I'd swap them out for a much better ride.

Posted by: DickSteinkamp May 26 2018, 06:05 PM

Thanks for the help!

I totally agree that an option that includes an adjustable ride height is the way to go. With my luck, just changing springs would result in a ride height I wasn't happy with.

My understanding is that springs with a higher rating than stock are also shorter than stock. If I'm correct it would be a real crap shoot to know what the ride height would end up being with just a spring change. I guess it could even end up being lower than what I already have.

I drove the car about 50 miles today (first time it's been driven since the late 1980's) and then got it on a level driveway. Here's how it looks now....



When measured at the top of the rocker, it's got a very slight downhill rake (to the front). As a perfectionist I would still like it a shade higher in the back (1/2-1"), but I'm going to try to live with it as is.

Thanks again for your input and help!

Posted by: My 914 May 26 2018, 06:43 PM

It sure looks a lot better than when you started but I agree that another inch of height would be perfect.

Posted by: Andyrew May 27 2018, 04:14 PM

Rennegade hybrids sells the springs that go on the stock perches that will fit your needs well...

I wouldn't drive with stock springs. I bet you have 140s in there now or you they would be much lower.