Lowering questions..

Post by **Phil_h** » 22 Apr 2008 06:03 pm

Hi all,
I've just registered on here as I've bought a 1989 360 GLE 2.0 which is in need of slammage!

I know its leafsprings on the back and have heard a little about lowering blocks but don't know how it all works - how much do they lower the back by and where could I get some?

I'm planning on chopping the front springs to get the front down - how much would do a good job? 2 coils maybe? also will it pass an MOT with this stuff done?

Any advice appreciated as I'm new to the Volvo scene!

Cheers, Phil

Post by **kaos** » 22 Apr 2008 06:57 pm

it'll pass an MOT on rear blocks but choped springs no chance!

Post by **Phil_h** » 22 Apr 2008 07:02 pm

hmm didnt think it would to be honest, are there aftermarket lowered front springs available for a 360 then?

Post by **Fuse** » 22 Apr 2008 07:05 pm

Phil_h wrote:hmm didnt think it would to be honest, are there aftermarket lowered front springs available for a 360 then?

Yeah Dai (Classicswede) sells those, you can choose the spring rates and how low you want to go. He also has poly bushes etc... for 300-series.

Here's "the catalog topic"

http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... php?t=1804

Post by **trabitom99** » 22 Apr 2008 07:11 pm

kaos wrote:it'll pass an MOT on rear blocks but choped springs no chance!

No MOT in Germany with lowering blocks, let alone chopped springs ... Only chance: brand new GLT front springs and shorter GLT rear leaf springs. And a convincing speech in front of the TÜV man ...

Tom

Post by **filthyjohn** » 22 Apr 2008 07:33 pm

Germany sux for modded cars. There's an ex-pat in Osnabruck putting a cosworth 2.9 v6 into a 1963 Taunus Transit, but that's on one of those historic plates so it doesn't need a regular test, but if he gets caught I think he'd be in huge trouble.

2" blocks and springs before and after, innit:

And your GLE is very nice btw, bargain.

Post by **Fuse** » 22 Apr 2008 08:57 pm

And I thought regulations about building cars were strict in here..

Blocks would pass MOT here and so would chopped springs as long as they don't spin or fall out of their cups when the vehicle is jacked up.

Post by **trabitom99** » 23 Apr 2008 08:39 am

There is a big modded-car scene in Germany but usually for more popular, common cars like Golfs / Astras / Calibras and the like. For these cars it's no problem getting the paperwork you need to make the TÜV man happy (Germans like paperwork

)

But the older and rarer the car is, the harder it is to get "manufacturers' certificates" for the mods, making it very hard to get the modification added to your car papers.

Even the GLT rear spoiler is in my car papers

If I were to add one to the GLi, I would have to run to the TÜV man and hope for the best. No visit to the TÜV no insurance cover and problems if you get stopped by the police ...

filthyjohn wrote:There's an ex-pat in Osnabruck putting a cosworth 2.9 v6 into a 1963 Taunus Transit,

Cool. A Taunus Transit (<65) or a Mk 1 Transit (65 - 78 )? I believe the emergency services sometimes had V6's fitted to their vehicles, so getting Mr TÜV to agree might even be theoretically possible ...

Tom

Post by **hatch360** » 23 Apr 2008 09:10 am

filthyjohn wrote:

And your GLE is very nice btw, bargain.

Didnt know you lowered your car john, it looks great

Post by **Phil_h** » 23 Apr 2008 01:37 pm

Cheers for the info gents, I'll try and get in touch with ClassicSwede then for some parts! Looking at your car John, 2inches looks perfect as I'll be runing 15inch rims.

Post by **classicswede** » 27 Apr 2008 09:55 pm

Hi Phil,

I'll need to know what use the car is put to. Road drift rally etc?

Cheers

Post by **filthyjohn** » 28 Apr 2008 02:43 pm

trabitom99 wrote: Cool. A Taunus Transit (<65) or a Mk 1 Transit (65 - 78 )? I believe the emergency services sometimes had V6's fitted to their vehicles, so getting Mr TÜV to agree might even be theoretically possible ...

Tom

A beautiful Taunus. Full thread here: click
But set an hour or two aside because it's 42 pages long and still counting

hatch360 wrote:Didnt know you lowered your car john, it looks great

Cheers mate, I reckon it's bang on the right height.

Phil_h wrote:2inches looks perfect as I'll be runing 15inch rims.

I couldn't believe how good the stance turned out, I got 2inch stuff at a guess, no measuring. Watch out for tyre clearance with 15s, any wider than my 185s and you could run into trouble if you have two people in the back.

Post by **classicswede** » 29 Apr 2008 08:52 pm

I'm on 195 50 15's and they only rarly rub on bumps and that is with two heavy tanks and passangers. Some of that can be down to how stiff your rear leaves are