Big Block front end Ride Height

[NFS]

Can some measure their frontend ride height for me please?
I’m trying to set my ride height with the torsion bars and I’m ether too high or too low in my opinion. I had this car apart so long I don’t remember and I can’t find it in my notes.

Preferably if you could measure form the ground to the top of the wheel opening edge, centered.

Car specs:
BB 427
CC HD torsion bars (Sway away #4720)
Front wheel overall diameter 26.1
Wheel size 255/45/17 same as 235/60/15 (wheel size CC’s originally came with)


Thank you in advanced,
NFS

[NFS]

Anyone????

[DocDirk]

NFS, take a look at the thread "Cobra Geometry Challenges" and you'll get a feel for some of the parameters that go into figuring out the answer to your question. I called Roger Krause Racing and talked this question over with them about my car and their consistent response was that each vehicle is so different, the optimal ride height cannot be determined without actually inspecting and evaluating the vehicle. So I'm off to their shop next week. Perhaps a pro shop could look at your setup and get you some kind of answer without having to do all the work for you if you're gung ho to get it done yourself.

Regards!

Dirk

[kbutler971]

Hi:

I just did this on CCX-3057 with new HD torsion bars. I fabbed up a flat stock steel distance piece to install between shock mounts to set zero load on the torsion bars as per the Jag Service Manual. My CCX manual indicates 16.75" ctc on the distance piece for normal torsion bars and 16.0" for the HD versions for a BB Ford application. I used the HD spec and measured shock distance ctc on the alignment rack at approx. 12.5". Am running a 428FE with 15" wheels with the CCX-recommended tire sizes (approx 26" dia.).

Mine came to me with the front really lowered by the PO causing tire rub in the fender well either applying the brakes or turning in anything but the smoothest roads. Unacceptable. Before starting I was expecting a major headache getting the f/r torsion bar notches to line up with the car (and getting both sides identical) but it wasn't that big of a deal.

After resetting the ride height to the CCX specs the handling is much better for street use. A real pleasure. I'll try to measure fender height tonite and post.

Kirk

[mickmate]

I just measured 4 CCX fender heights at 26, 27 and 2 at 28". Do you have the manual? It has a lot of useful info for stuff like that.

[Danr55]

Nick, Where did you measure the height? WHat part of the fender?

[mickmate]

I measured them at the lip top centre. One car is an inch different from side to side. The other is a little higher and even.

[NFS]

First off, thank you all for your input. I do have the factory manual, I’ve done it per the factory manual and by me, I think it’s too high.
(Maybe it’s me ), right now I’m going to reset it to the manual and take measurements to see if I’m common with everyone. I could have the backend of the car abit low that would contribute to the look of the front end. I’m going to do it right now. Will post results.

[NFS]

OK, I’ve done this so many times I could do it in my sleep, anyway it appears that I’m within spec,
PS 27.875
DS 27.9375
Shock CL about 13.5
At the risk for ridicule, for me personally it’s too high. I’d like to drop it at least 1 inch (I want to track the car on various track days and street drive the car too. Getting the car low is key, (low is fast). I guess that will have to wait till winter, maybe I can come up with a custom torsion bar or fab up an adjustable torsion bar bracket assembly. Right now I need to get the car out again,get the bugs out and enjoy it
Enough for today, everyone have a great Memorial Day weekend.
NFS

[kbutler971]

Hi:
Just measured fender lip 27" on both sides.
Kirk

[Danr55]

OK, I just measured mine and it came in at 26 1/2 on the driver's side and 26 3/4 on the passenger side. I guess that makes me somewhere in the middle.

[mickmate]

You can set the torsion bars per the Jag manual and go with a smaller distance to lower it. The splines are offset on each end to allow multiple adjustment settings. You really need to get the lower ball joint apart and it's a PITA job but once you got it you got it. Kirks is a little low but it looks good. You need to find your balance between the look and the driveability. About any CCX I've worked on has some good gravel rash on the collector underside as the exhaust is low on them. Note the cutout leaves the bottom half of the lower two pipes underneath the bodywork.

[NFS]

Thanks guys for measuring. Yea the bars are offset splined 24 rear 25 front or visversa something like that. My problem is when I lower it by 1 spline (at the front or back) it drops it down too far, something like 3 inches, I must be doing something wrong, something I overlooked, any advise?

[mickmate]

You have to change both ends not one. That's what gives the incremental adjustment.

[NFS]

I never thought of that, dugh...
I'll try it tonight, thanks

[mickmate]

The CCX manual says to make the distance on centres 16" for a big block Ford ride height gauge.

[NFS]

Well after much farting around with these T bars this past week I finally settled on a height, I was able to take a ½ inch out of it to a height of about 27.3125
By the time I get it all together it might settle abit, if too low I can always raise it back to factory settings.
Next on the list, shorten the end links for the front swaybar… then put on my Speedway Engineering bar in the rear. It never ends.
NFS