my kids GSLSE with stock rims and 195/60R15 has a reasonable gap between the tires and fender. Suspension is stock. I’m running GSLSE driveline. (Spindles, springs struts…) on my 80 but with 205/50R15 and you see what I have here. Infact, I had a ‘81 with 205/50R15 (Auto Bahns) on stock suspension and I had the same gap. Seems to only affect me, according to the GSLSE pictures I have found.

I may have to for RB springs. I’m not trying for a stanced look. But it looks like I’m gonna rally as it sits.

 

195/60R15 (117mm sidewall) is a taller tire than 205/50R15 (102.5mm sidewall), so maybe that's where the difference is.

 

shoot! That would be 195/60r14.

 

Did you make sure the suspension bits were not tighten while on jack stands? Rear shocks and front control arms need to be loose then the cars weight on the suspension, then tighten up the lower bolts on the rear shocks and probably the links as well and up front same goes for the control arm where it bolts into the crossmember. If you don't do this it will ride high like that.

 

If you swapped the -SE springs, thats adding to your body ride height. The -SE is slightly heavier than SA models by a few hundred pounds front and rear, and the OEM springs account for that with slightly longer length and spring rate to control the larger brake rotors. When installed on an SA, it will sit high compared to the stock (*sagging) suspension. Racing Beat springs have served me well for over 30yrs, across 2 cars, an SA and my -SE. They're an investment that will last the life of the car.

I also run 205/55×15 on 15×6.5 wheels, and the gap is perfect with Yokohama tires.

 

Is that after you settled the suspension by rolling the car or turning the steering side to side a few times?

That looks almost normal for "new" ride height not 15-20-30-40 year old ride height. These cars were notorious for the stock springs sagging, so new lowering springs would actually raise the ride height a bunch.

 

Front end.. I don't recall what I did. that was years ago. Ill backtrack over that. It's kinda a miss adjusted mess at this point anyways.

The rear I just did the nylock "mod" under suspension load.

 

this was before the suspension settled. I guess I was just a bit over excited. Like mentioned. not going for slammed, but I used to get some crap for the gap in my old 81. That was before the gap tolerance became such a prominent thing. Seems I've already failed this build because my tires stick out past the fenders a hair. Joking aside I'm getting eager to drive this.