lowering a bellett

[BULLITT]

hi guys ...next if I was to lower the 90 what do you suggest I do what shocks and what way to get it down do I souce different springs ?? as well as shocks ie hq that lower the car instead of bottoming ?? all help appreciated cheers davo

[PR95]

Hi Davo,
Put a pair of rear springs in the front, same shocks and that will bring the Front down, and I would probably leave the rear alone. this will give you nice look and also a good ride, if you lower it to far will need a kidney belt and drive like a dray.
Geoff

[rod]

Hi Davo,
Put a pair of rear springs in the front, same shocks and that will bring the Front down, and I would probably leave the rear alone. this will give you nice look and also a good ride, if you lower it to far will need a kidney belt and drive like a dray.
Geoff

you got a grinder .....lol take them out cut a coil out ......no problem lol .......

[Farmer]

I know, I'm the originality nut, but its a PR90. I'd leave it standard.
They handle ok, and you get a reasonable ride. I reckon don't cut any coils, makes it impossible to put back if you change your mind.

But its your car.

Cheers, Matt.

[KJB]

Davo,
I would do what Geoff suggested (if you decide to do any lowering ) will still ride nice and look "great ". If you go lower front and rear you will hate yourself for doing it - ride quality will be destroyed. Nothing wrong with the original set up either, apart from perceived " looks " but then that is "original " . Bellett suspension lengths, angles and travel do not give you much to play around with without it impeding on ride quality.

KB

[poppy waldo]

KB, all wrong.

Swap the front coils with another rear set. Grab another rear transverse spring and attach it to your original one but place the second one upside down. Bend the transverse clamps to hold both springs and re- install.
Go and buy 4 standard shocks for a HK holden (I think) and fit them.
Best handling car you will ever drive.
Did this to mine. Cost me $80.

[rod]

yes hg / hk shocks do fit ....

[Asroc66]

Hi
When you
'Grab another rear transverse spring and attach it to your original one but place the second one upside down.'
Do you mean a single leaf spring or another paired leaf spring(s) and turn them both up side down?
Cheers
James

[BULLITT]

thanks for telling me the secrets ...ha ha ....it all sounds double dutch to me ...being a muso but with help I can work it out thanks heaps everybody ..davo

[PR95]

Hi
When you
'Grab another rear transverse spring and attach it to your original one but place the second one upside down.'
Do you mean a single leaf spring or another paired leaf spring(s) and turn them both up side down?
Cheers
James

What he means is to oppose the two springs and clamp together

[degruch]

Does anyone have a picture of the leaf spring modification? When the GT hits the road again I think I'll lower it.

Also, I noted an old conversation involving JT some time ago, about suspension bushes...I need rear bushes especially, but where do you find/procure them? If I'm going to dump the li'l guy I may as well make sure the suspension is functioning as it should be.

[PR91]

Done all this before..... And found what works, what doesn't, what needs to be changed, what needs to be modified, what parts to use and what results they all give.
Some info already posted is good, but there are side effects, and some is incorrect, while some hasn't been mentioned at all...... Which is also some very important stuff.
The info in my head comes from decades of building race and road cars out of them.
Remember that the basic layout on them is pretty damn good, so alot of things are simple, and should cost very little, and 99% of people will never pick.
I've heard people comment on how low my GT is.... I'm yet to see one lower on the road, yet it drives brilliantly, and others who have driven it say the same.
My race car is modified in just about every way, so that works even better, but would be a nitemare on the road....
PM me.

[Glenn]

Done all this before..... And found what works, what doesn't, what needs to be changed, what needs to be modified, what parts to use and what results they all give.
Some info already posted is good, but there are side effects, and some is incorrect, while some hasn't been mentioned at all...... Which is also some very important stuff.
The info in my head comes from decades of building race and road cars out of them.
Remember that the basic layout on them is pretty damn good, so alot of things are simple, and should cost very little, and 99% of people will never pick.
I've heard people comment on how low my GT is.... I'm yet to see one lower on the road, yet it drives brilliantly, and others who have driven it say the same.
My race car is modified in just about every way, so that works even better, but would be a nitemare on the road....
PM me.

OK< Brett, can you share some road car thoughts with us..... i have no need to do so myself but might pick up something else for the Sport. The Sport is lowered and has the stage 3 'kit' in it as you know, but not as low as yours for sure. Rides pretty firm .....
Can't be much suspension travel left in your GT? Or do you have special springs etc perhaps in it? eg variable rate. I keep meaning to take a peek under yours........

[RobSA]

Bella is pretty low.
Mr Fibbles assisted with springs and shockers but I had to do a few mods which make it possible.
There are a few parts that need to be fitted and adjusted to finish the handling off.
The trip to Coonabarabran showed we had a pretty good combo as Oz-Toffa will attest to.
Sadly that trip caused a few heartaches latter.

Still most people say the simplest and least painful is to use a set of rear springs in the front. Any HR-HT Holden shocks as they are all the same you just need to file the opening in the lower wishbone to get them in.
Most people won't need to add any leaves to the back end unless you are super keen to flog it. Just move the mounting point on the outboard end, to get your droop.

Expect to spend some time on doing adjustments and testing.
I the Mr Fibbles tried 12 sets of springs to get me the right ride height and spring rate.

I love the way Bella (and she will again) handled like a gokart

[Glenn]

Bella is pretty low.

Most people won't need to add any leaves to the back end unless you are super keen to flog it. Just move the mounting point on the outboard end, to get your droop.

not heard this one, any more details ?

glenn

[RobSA]

Not sure how to explain it Glenn. Other than when you bolt the spring up its usually in compression (i think) so it raises the rear. If you have set the height with the coils, adjust the leaf end to only raise it the amount you want. Depending on your final height you may need a longer bolt and more rubber donuts.

In saying that its better in the stock position but if you want to tinker

[Glenn]

Not sure how to explain it Glenn. Other than when you bolt the spring up its usually in compression (i think) so it raises the rear. If you have set the height with the coils, adjust the leaf end to only raise it the amount you want. Depending on your final height you may need a longer bolt and more rubber donuts.

In saying that its better in the stock position but if you want to tinker

OK, i think you mean just adjust the bolt spacers at the ends up from normal position....... I am not going to play with mine though.

[PR91]

Done all this before..... And found what works, what doesn't, what needs to be changed, what needs to be modified, what parts to use and what results they all give.
Some info already posted is good, but there are side effects, and some is incorrect, while some hasn't been mentioned at all...... Which is also some very important stuff.
The info in my head comes from decades of building race and road cars out of them.
Remember that the basic layout on them is pretty damn good, so alot of things are simple, and should cost very little, and 99% of people will never pick.
I've heard people comment on how low my GT is.... I'm yet to see one lower on the road, yet it drives brilliantly, and others who have driven it say the same.
My race car is modified in just about every way, so that works even better, but would be a nitemare on the road....
PM me.

OK< Brett, can you share some road car thoughts with us..... i have no need to do so myself but might pick up something else for the Sport. The Sport is lowered and has the stage 3 'kit' in it as you know, but not as low as yours for sure. Rides pretty firm .....
Can't be much suspension travel left in your GT? Or do you have special springs etc perhaps in it? eg variable rate. I keep meaning to take a peek under yours........

Sorry. Not willing to make details public.
No probs privately tho.