TA Lowered and New Shoes

[PUREBLS1]

This past fall I purchased an extremely clean 99 Trans Am. It was about as bone stock as you can find, but the condition was spot on. Over the winter months my work slows down quite a bit so of course I have time to burn browsing forums such as this and the ideas start flowing. It started off making minor repairs such as the notorious door panel cracks, and that led to finding a fellow members thread (Atrus) about lowering using stock springs. I love the look of lowered cars, but have always shyed away from it due to the harsh ride that comes from lowering springs. After doing a ton of looking and getting ideas I opted to cut the stock springs (I know I know, should run stranos or BMR's) and run SLP Bilsteins. Starting with the HH mod in the rear, but will cut the springs until I get the right stance. Of course who wants to run OEM wheels on a lowered Fbody? So Z06 Replica Wheels and Tires were ordered along with Founders ADJ. PHB. Here's a few pics of the progress! Hoping to get it wrapped up and back on the ground next week! Trans Am.JPGTA- Jackstands.JPGFront Brakes.JPGCut Springs.JPGTA Preview.JPGRear Wheels on.JPG

[thisisthewayilive]

Clean lookin ride! Love the choice in wheels. You'll have to update us in the spring about how you like the ride quality. I'll be taking the suspension plunge closer to spring too but am unsure about what combo i want to run. She's my summer dd so I want her to stay comfortable too!

[nascarnate326]

I have cut stock LS1 springs and it rides great. Have been in several cars with much nicer suspension and for most people, it just isnt worth it.

If your doing track days - get strano springs but if your just having fun with it on the street some nice cut stock springs work great.

Car looks clean

[PUREBLS1]

You guys are making me feel a lot better, I was a bit nervous about cutting the stockers but after seeing some other reviews it seems like the best alternative for me using it as a toy on the streets. I'll be sure to report in once spring comes and I can take it for a spin. That feels like a LONG way away at this point.... I'll get some better quality pics when she's back on the ground! Really love how the wheels look on the car.

[mcalus]

I love the wheels. Great choice!!!

[BP_Z28]

Looks like my dads..Only red

Nice

[01badbird]

Very nice! Love the RED!

[Gregs_gsxr]

love those z06 wheels, I shouldn't have sold mine

[JoeliusZ28]

I have cut stock LS1 springs and it rides great. Have been in several cars with much nicer suspension and for most people, it just isnt worth it.

If your doing track days - get strano springs but if your just having fun with it on the street some nice cut stock springs work great.

Car looks clean

Honestly even for track days i think id be more comfortable with stock springs. My BMRs make the car handle like its on rails, but i also think it makes the car a lot less forgiving to a mistake!

Beautiful trans am by the way!

[white97z28]

very clean looking car! love the mods so far!

[meissen]

Looks great! Looking forward to see the finished product.

PS - Hell I want some photos of that garage! That looks like it has one hell of a tall ceiling height - perfect for some car banners!

[GODSPEED]

Like that very much so 100*

[PUREBLS1]

Thanks for the comments guys! It is turning out exactly how I hoped... Sorry for the crappy pic, but here's a pic of it finally lowered. One full coil cut in the front, HH mod in the rear. The stance is exactly what I was hoping for! I'll get some better quality pics with the cover off when I get some time. As far as the barn... I wish I could claim it! I store my car at a good family friends, that fortunately is heated and easily accessible for me to play with the car. 40X40 with 18' ceilings (used to have a large motorhome) finished off beautifully! I have serious barn envy, but makes great sleeping quarters for the TA in the winter! Lowered!.JPG

[alone_and_insane]

MUCH better

[Atrus]

Very nice T/A! Looks great with those wheels too.

This past fall I purchased an extremely clean 99 Trans Am. It was about as bone stock as you can find, but the condition was spot on. Over the winter months my work slows down quite a bit so of course I have time to burn browsing forums such as this and the ideas start flowing. It started off making minor repairs such as the notorious door panel cracks, and that led to finding a fellow members thread (Atrus) about lowering using stock springs. I love the look of lowered cars, but have always shyed away from it due to the harsh ride that comes from lowering springs. After doing a ton of looking and getting ideas I opted to cut the stock springs (I know I know, should run stranos or BMR's) and run SLP Bilsteins. Starting with the HH mod in the rear, but will cut the springs until I get the right stance. Of course who wants to run OEM wheels on a lowered Fbody? So Z06 Replica Wheels and Tires were ordered along with Founders ADJ. PHB. Here's a few pics of the progress! Hoping to get it wrapped up and back on the ground next week!

Hopefully you are happy with the ride quality - I really am (although, I have not been in a strano or bmr-lowered vehicle yet to compare). Just wanted to point out that I did modify my upper mounts as it just made logical sense to - I have links in that other thread you refer to. I also opted for some other bumpstops. Not sure if you did any of that or not, and not sure if it made a difference. Just wanted to point it out.

Also, keep in mind the ride height will change a little when you get a few miles on it. You may find you need to tweak it a little to get it where you want it once you have it back on the road. The front should drop a little more.

Clean lookin ride! Love the choice in wheels. You'll have to update us in the spring about how you like the ride quality. I'll be taking the suspension plunge closer to spring too but am unsure about what combo i want to run. She's my summer dd so I want her to stay comfortable too!

I feel it's basically stock ride "firmness" - marginally stiffer - but it feels smoother on the road due to the Bilsteins, which I think makes up for the stiffness. Overall, I am happy. I am not looking for a corner carver...still handles well enough for my usage and it looks great doing it.

I have cut stock LS1 springs and it rides great. Have been in several cars with much nicer suspension and for most people, it just isnt worth it.

If your doing track days - get strano springs but if your just having fun with it on the street some nice cut stock springs work great.

Car looks clean

That was my thought on the whole thing too. Plus, if you're wrong you're not really out much of anything...some time,and some springs you'd probably never be using again anyway. Pick up a new set of aftermarket and move on.

Honestly even for track days i think id be more comfortable with stock springs. My BMRs make the car handle like its on rails, but i also think it makes the car a lot less forgiving to a mistake!

Beautiful trans am by the way!

We still need to hook up some time this summer, if you want, to compare how both ride. I am interested in seeing what the combo you are running feels like - it'll either make me happy I went though all the work I did, or it'll make me spend a few hundred bucks I wasn't intending to!