Can someone answer some basic lowering questions?

[Hazman]

Hey guys, I want to lower my '99 Protege LX and have some basic questions.

1) What will be the driving effects of lowering the car? How will it affect the handing, smoothness, etc.?

2) What is a safe, practical number of inches to lower the car?

3) Is professional installation required? If so, around how much would it cost? How easy is it to do by youself?

4) What is a good brand or type of springs to go with? There are these for just $60, and these for $100. What is the difference or advantage in getting more expensive springs?

Thanks a lot guys.

 

[Black Majik MSP]

This should be in the Suspension forum.

Get some TEINs.

Find someone who has the right tools & knows what they're doing. You should never have to pay some place to install your springs.

 

[p5sundevil]

personally I dont like a car that is lowered too much, the entire functional point of lowering the car would be to lower the cog of gravity(for better handling) and a better spring rate which will help sway and cornering.

There was a noticible difference in all the handling characteristics when I put my eibach pro-kit on. The added benefit of the eibach kits is they offer two different lines for 2 different amounts of drops and they are both available on ebay most of the time for around 140-160 plus shipping, I think I paid around 150 shipped for mine.

Install was easy except for the rears were a little harder as the top of the strut tower is less accessable than the fronts, but once they were off using the spring perch was easy enough if you follow specific steps cause you dont want any perch accidents(my dad in a shop once had a guy loosen the end bolt before he was supposed to and it shot the stru through the ceiling light fixture and into the "attic" area of the building, as in right through the ceiling)

Amount of drop, i believe the pro-kit does about 1.4in in the front and 1.2 in the back(the rear springs didnt look as much shorter than stock as the front springs did.)

The sportline kit from eibach does 2in all around, there are also alot of smaller brand kits on ebay for 2in drops. I feel that is too much especially if you want it streetable not to scrape AND plan on a air splitter or lip on the front eventually.

just my 3.5 cents.

 

[p5sundevil]

oh yah good comapnies for the protege's

eibach
TEIN
ground control(uses eibachs)
JIC maybe...more expensive but a very good name.

 

[mountjonas]

what about camber?

how much is the protege affected by lowering springs?

 

[INiTiAL33]

how come noone recommends H&R?

 

[drumsbeloud]

Re: what about camber?

how much is the protege affected by lowering springs?

i think anything past about a 2" drop and you're gonna need a camber kit. anything less than that and you're fine.

as for the other questions...lowering springs will make you're ride more harsh, but every set of springs is going to effect it to a different degree. my only experience is with eibachs...the ride is only marginally more harsh, but the handling improvements (staying level through corners, breaking, etc.) are awesome...i would reccomend them to anyone.

i got my springs installed by a shop for $180 US after tax. they did a great job, and i've had no problems.

 

[gjmoreo]

When shopping for springs you do not want to go cheap (as in quality) you will have problems with your handling and alignment. Either way you go, if you install the springs yourself or if you have a shop do it ... an alignment is definitely needed. I like springs over coil-overs personally. The coil-overs will give you a great stance and good handling too, but they take more attention. If you adjust the coil-over too much you have to get another alignment (2 or more) Plus you should go with a good quality set or else you will get "popping" and a harsh ride. For all springs installed, and a 4 wheel alignment, your looking @ about $200.00

 

[Hazman]

Thanks guys.. BTW sorry about posting in the wrong board.:wtf:

 

[p5sundevil]

sorry I forgot H&R those are excellent too from what I hear, I just have always loved eibach or TEIN. I just didnt want as much drop as the TEIN springs provided so I went eibach.

I think the TEIN springs are on ebay once in a while and usually go for 10-20 less than the eibachs for some reason. I think they are about a 1.8" drop around, which is about as low as I would ever go.


a big thing about doing them yourself is when you put the new springs on while still in the perch you have to make sure the ends align with the end plates, like where the actual coiled rod of the spring ends there is going to be a lip between than and the flat/round end of the spring. the pads inside the end plates(i dont kow what they are really called) have an indentation where that is supposed to go.

you will still need an alignment after an suspension changes for safety and performance.

 

[driving_bear3]

lowering will increase cornering ability in exchange for a harsher ride. in australia the lowest point on the car be it the sump or bodykit is only 100mm. a lower and wider wheel track will always perform however speed bumps and driveways soon stop you going too low. i sugest a good set of adjustable coil overs fitted professionally with a camber kit and u can adjust it yourself for cruisin, racing, or showin

 

[joka1]

i lowered mine 3 in or so and my camber is still good just to let you know. i have ground control and i went all the way down in the front and evened the back out with the front!