I let my Mechanic talk me into bagging my ride. Had my baby in to get an exhaust leak fixed, and one thing led to another..... we started talking about getting the suspension tightened up with some new parts, and he told me that since I was spending so much money, if I had any plans on bagging it, now would be the time.... to save money. So I wrote the check. But now I'm reading that the car will be a few inches lower than it is before installation, and I am worried it will be too low. My mechanic says he can make it set any way I want it.......but I can tell he really wants to bag it. He keeps trying to buy the car from me. I think he just likes it sitting in his shop to lure in lookie lou's.....
It's more what "you" want rather than him, unless he offers to do it for free. From what i've seen on Fast and Furious the air suspensions can be adjusted any height you wish.
I guess Air Suspensions are the latest fad now that the technology has improved from the early 1950's units. It seems to me that the ride will be downgraded compared to the Cadillac cushy ride, but I'm sure he'll enjoy it.
I always like to keep my cars stock even new ones apart from only tints let alone destroying a classic with some ridiculous bags. But everyone has a different taste you know. The value of these cars is in their original looks as much as possible.
OK
Thanks to the well wishers. I was asking for advise. I guess I need to be more precise when I ask for comment. I'm asking for constructive tips that I can use in the set-up from people that may have done this.
For those purists that want to pass judgment on me, guess what your opinion means to me. My love affair with my machine is mine and mine alone. I do not need to justify myself or defend my decisions to you. But for your information, the ride-tech bolts on and un-bolts just as easily. If I want to turn it back it's no problem. I DRIVE my car regularly. I want it to handle and perform better. By the way, I'm adding a blue tooth stereo too......but it looks like an old radio. I will stay as close as possible, but the car will serve me and MY needs. Not yours. I have ridden in bagged cars before and the ride is ALWAYS better than before the conversion. Dude.....Cadillac invented air suspension !!
I'm really getting anxious.......still waiting for the heads and block to come back from the machine shop. I spent the extra money for balancing the engine. It's supposed to get me 10% more power. We'll see. I'm thinking of adding an electric fuel pump and filter, going to a 3 inch exhaust, and other little things to squeeze a little more power without major mods. I want this 472 to have a little attitude. It's just taking too long at the machine shop. I guess if the machine shop is backed up with too much work, they must be worth the wait. I'm getting ceramic treatments to the valve seats. That's supposed to last forever. we'll see.
Machine shops have distorted time realities... 1 month our time can equal 3 to 6 on them. I never and I mean never expect stuff back even close to on time.
Really depends on the bags and installation. But a properly bagged car with good components that is not done cheaply will ride just as well if not better then a factory car. As for ride height, you can pick the height that you want then align the car at that height. You are not going to be driving it much when it is dropped all the way down.
Biggest thing for me on bagged cars is to go for a engine driven pump if you can get one to fit, they will fill a 5/10 gallon tank in 1/20th the time to or three vair 120v's will. More air means getting up to height quicker and no burned out battery packs or waiting around for the pressure to come up.
On the bigger caddi's the bags themselves can be quite expensive if say you are going with a airride setup. My 61 vert all in was about 3.2K in components and a bit of welding that I had done out of house and not super top of the line bags. The copper distribution blocks will get you as well, I bet I had 250$ in copper in the car.
A proper system you will have the same ride if not better are you going to be the kind of guy to set your ride height and go or play with it all the time? That changes everything when looking into air management and will determine if you spend $1000 or $3000
Rod, Weary, and Scott,
Thanks for the tips. Yea I am learning the time warp that Machinists seem to live in. But I can wait as long as the work is correct. It's been well over a month past due, but my mechanic says they are the only machine shop in the area that can be trusted to do top level work. It is the same machine shop that all the local racers and off roaders use. They are only charging me an extra 800 to balance the engine. I'm not sure if that is fair or not, but they tout an extra 10% power from just balancing. Is it true that the Early Caddy's had the engine balanced from the factory? I was told that was why the caddy's idled so well as compared to the lesser GM cars. Anyway......I am using the ride-tech kit for the deville. It's supposed to bolt in with minimal alterations. I hope I will not the kind of guy that will constantly play with the buttons. I think I am the kind of guy that will set one level for driving, have another level that is higher so I can get a little air when faced with one of those steep driveways that I always fear dragging my ass on. And a third setting for park so she can set down and wait for me to return. Maybe crush a beer can or two at a party. The Ride-tech kit was 4000 bucks all in. (with ball joints and steering gear box added in price) Again thanks for your helpful comments. I must apologize for losing my temper at previous posters who seemed pretty sanctimonious about altering my car. It's not like me, but when the one guy posted on my thread and started talking ABOUT me, and not TO me as if I was not even there, I lost my cool.
Merry Christmas everyone !!
If you go ridetech it is going to be a great car to drive.. They make excellent kits.
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