Lowering Springs?

[Frank Lee]

I merely said that you are advising without having the experience.

My point is (and I've talked about my lowering job many times) cut springs and stock struts work just fine for reasonable drops. The big slams are going to be bad no matter what gets bolted on; they require suspension re-engineering. IIRC my lowered car has been on the road that way 8 years now with no failures or issues.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

IIRC my lowered car has been on the road that way 8 years now with no failures or issues.

Are you referring to the Tempo that you lowered 2", Frank? How many miles have you driven it in those 8 years? It would be helpful to know since you have so many vehicles. Thanks.

[Frank Lee]

Yes, it's the "Sport Coupe" and it's my main vehicle as far as cars go. Got it in '01, I think I lowered it in '03, now I've put 30,000+ miles on it. And that's the only car I've ever lowered. I have messed with bicycle/scooter/motorcycle suspensions too...

[some_other_dave]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

I will most likely reduce the tire pressure from 40 psi to 35 psi once the suspension upgrade will be done.

You'll probably find that you'll lose more MPG from this than you could possibly gain by lowering the car.



I put about 60,000 miles over the course of about 8 years on a set of coil-overs and aftermarket shocks on my CRX. Tokico Illumina shocks and Ground Control coil-overs, adjusted for a slight drop--on the order of 1.5". No problems from them, good stance and good handling.

-soD

[Ladogaboy]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

I believe that when lowering your car, you have to invest in a good set of shocks and springs. Changing only the oem springs will not provide an optimal compromise between comfort and handling. I will most likely reduce the tire pressure from 40 psi to 35 psi once the suspension upgrade will be done.

I intend to keep my car for another 5+ years, so the investment is justified in my case.

You might be surprised about the ride quality of aftermarket "progressive" springs. Because of the progressive spring rates, you'll sit lower and still have a fairly gentle ride if you are not driving your car hard.

You also don't need to lower your tire pressure unless you are going to a MUCH stiffer spring rate. Even then, it is not so much the tire pressure that you have to worry about; it is the tires themselves. Either they are designed to withstand the stresses of increased spring rates or they aren't.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Yes, it's the "Sport Coupe" and it's my main vehicle as far as cars go. Got it in '01, I think I lowered it in '03, now I've put 30,000+ miles on it. And that's the only car I've ever lowered. I have messed with bicycle/scooter/motorcycle suspensions too...

If struts last anywhere from 50K to 150K miles, you'll know in a few years if you got the full use out of yours since the lowering, no? I ask because I'm genuinely interested in your full assessment, not to contest your claims. I'm thinking of lowering with clamps, but I just replaced the struts about 30K miles ago. They were costly. If I needed them again, I would learn to do the job myself, but still... costly.

[euromodder]

Volvo lowers the cars in its more fuel-efficient Drive-range.

It helps, but the effect may be lost in your day-to-day variations in fuel consumption.

[Frank Lee]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

If struts last anywhere from 50K to 150K miles, you'll know in a few years if you got the full use out of yours since the lowering, no? I ask because I'm genuinely interested in your full assessment, not to contest your claims. I'm thinking of lowering with clamps, but I just replaced the struts about 30K miles ago. They were costly. If I needed them again, I would learn to do the job myself, but still... costly.

They're still just fine; I suspect the car will rust out before the struts go too soft.

I put the struts on myself and IIRC all four cost less than $200 for stock-type replacements- Monroe GasMatics or some such.

[capnbass91]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Volvo lowers the cars in its more fuel-efficient Drive-range.

I saw a commerical for another car that does that, I think it was a Jeep.

[CigaR007]

Originally Posted by Ladogaboy

You might be surprised about the ride quality of aftermarket "progressive" springs. Because of the progressive spring rates, you'll sit lower and still have a fairly gentle ride if you are not driving your car hard.

Yes, I am aware of the progressive springs. I have my eyes on an Eibach pro kit.