Lowering Springs?

[Frank Lee]

It's only a problem if you go too far. Or if you're on such rough roads that you shouldn't have a lowered vehicle at all.

[SentraSE-R]

Gonna find out if lowering helps. Unfortunately, ABA testing isn't possible, so there'll be some imprecise short trips and maybe a long trip comparison, if I put the mirrors back on.
Before:

After:

And, in case you were wondering...

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

After:

Looking good, man! One or two inches lower?

Originally Posted by drmiller100

cutting the spring means the car is lower but the spring is stiffer.

torching the spring means the car is lower and the spring is a LOT softer.

which one are you after?

Well, if you´re asking me, I imagine myself cutting them someday, if I do anything. Airbags would be fun, variable height and all, but they are $$$ and I hear they fail within a couple years. Ouch! How about other modders?

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

As long as you do it to a reasonable point, shortening the spring by about 10% of the total length is one of the best ways to get it lower, within reason

That seems like great advice, and I have added it to my notes on planned mods in my garage listing.

[SentraSE-R]

I didn't measure the drop, but others who have, claim -.825" in front and -1.7" in the rear.

[CigaR007]

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

Gonna find out if lowering helps.

You kept the OEM shock absorbers, correct ? If so, how is the ride comfort ?

[Frank Lee]

I would temper (PUN!) the 10% thing... IIRC the difference in height between my front and rear springs was substantial and if I'd simply knocked 10% off all, the front of the car would have ended up much higher than the rear, and the only ones that seem to like that look are lowriders. I took 1 3/4 coils off the fronts and 1 coil off the rears.

[SentraSE-R]

Originally Posted by CigaR007

You kept the OEM shock absorbers, correct ? If so, how is the ride comfort ?

Very close to the stock comfort level. Tanabe NF210s have that reputation. I don't have to slow for speed bumps. Fast corners and choppy bumps in the road feel the same, with less lean in the corners.

[Vekke]

I have installed 60mm lowering spring kit to my lupo and it has helped on aerodynamics, fuel consumption and also coastin even on slower speeds.

Biggest difference is at tight corners. I have a coast down test route to my home which has 2 90 degree turn and one 70 degree turn. After installing that kit I dont have to cut so much to get same coasting distances. So the stiffer suspension dont eat the energy.
Old:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater
VS New:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

[SentraSE-R]

I just finished a month-long, 3472 mile trip to NM & back, averaging 50.28 mpg. That's a .8 mpg improvement over my long-term average, but who's to know if it was caused by my mirror delete, lighter wheels/tires, lowering springs, or?

[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.

I don't know how many miles were on the Coupe when I replaced the struts and cut the springs maybe 15 years ago but the Coupe is still my primary car and the struts and springs haven't been touched since the installation and I'm still very satisfied with the mod. The ride is good; the struts are still good. And rust is the biggest issue the poor thing has.