Lowering a MSP

[SoniCraze]

I new to lowering cars and i was just wondering what the best way to lower a msp about 2 inches for under $500. Spending $500 am I just gonna get crap? I know ground controll makes coil overs for like $300 but i have heard there crap and will break something.

Also whould i be better off with coilovers rather than lowering springs?

What will change in the "ride" of the car?

Thx for any advise you may have.

 

[AutoBox]

if u care about how the car handles or "rides" i would spend more then 500 and get a total full coilover system and what other suspension bits are nessecary to make sure u get ur camber/toe/caster within spec......if u just wanna slam the car for looks, get sleeve coilovers (gc for example is sleeve type coilover)......

 

[SoniCraze]

How much would we be talking about for a good setup? and what brands?

 

[AutoBox]

if i remeber correctly tein makes something for the msp, im pretty sure anything that fits the mp3,p5 also works with the msp, i know zeal has a protege drag car so i would assume they have their brand of coilovers also, either way ur lookin over 1g for full coilovers, not including suspension amrs etc needed to adjust camber/caster/toe once u drop the car.

 

[PHILLY-ORANGE]

DO NOT GO WITH COILOVERS go with tein springs all that I heard was good about tein springs

 

[SoniCraze]

hrm....so baically go all out and get a kick ass coilover setup or dont do it? I was only doing it for the looks. I really think it would look nice. I do put ALOT of miles on my car for my job. I have had it for 5 weeks now and i have almost 4000 miles on it. If i got springs couldnt i only leave them in for awhile before i risked damage?

 

[STLBLKMSP]

I lowered my msp with Eibach sportline springs. I've had them for about 2 to 3 months now and the ride is just about the same as stock. My msp still handles just like stock also. Here is a picture of it.


/members/STLBLKMSP/blck msp2.jpg

 

[chino]

With a car that handles as well as the MSP mid range coilover setups are not going to make a vast improvement over stock if any. If you want to spend under 500, which was your original statement springs are the way to go. I had good experience with eibach sportlines on my Impala and SHO

 

[night rider]

If u drive alot then full coilovers might become a pain. the ride becomes harsh b/c the components are usually very stiff. good for autocross but thats about it. if u just wants looks the tien springs give a sick drop, my only issue with them is i hear the spring rate is around what the stock units are maybe softer. so if u just want a dropped look then tien would be a good bet, i think they run around 200 bucks, good luck.

 

[supman]

i recently got tein springs and they are great! check my sig for ride height.

 

[Bail Brother]

You would ruin the handling with cheap springs. Why get the best handling FWD car on the market and do that?

 

[night rider]

note: tien arent cheap springs. also if u dont aurocross then changing spring rates isnt even going to be noticible.
second note: most of these springs are stiffer which will inprove handling as well as lower the center of gravity promoting less body roll mid turn.

just my two cents

 

[SoniCraze]

Thx for all the answers.

STLBLKMSP and supman, how much of a drop is there?

 

[Vassago]

supman- I love the way your car looks, any pros w/ the front skirt scraping?

 

[low_psi]

note: tien arent cheap springs. also if u dont aurocross then changing spring rates isnt even going to be noticible.
second note: most of these springs are stiffer which will improve handling as well as lower the center of gravity promoting less body roll mid turn.

just my two cents

i'm sorry, but there are no aftermarket springs(save GC coilsleeves) that have a higher spring rate than the Racing Beat springs. the Eibach Prokit is is only 25% than stock protege springs, whereas the RB's are 27%. i have not yet found any documentation on the actual springs rates or percentages for the Sprint, Sportline, H&R's but the Tiens are "softer" than the Eibachs.

the 4lbft that you lose on the Pro-Kit is made up by as you stated, the lower center of gravity.

 

[srd555]

i'm sorry, but there are no aftermarket springs(save GC coilsleeves) that have a higher spring rate than the Racing Beat springs. the Eibach Prokit is is only 25% than stock protege springs, whereas the RB's are 27%. i have not yet found any documentation on the actual springs rates or percentages for the Sprint, Sportline, H&R's but the Tiens are "softer" than the Eibachs.

the 4lbft that you lose on the Pro-Kit is made up by as you stated, the lower center of gravity.

I Have confirmed the following personally by calling :

Stock MSP Spring Rates:
Front: 2.59kg/mm (145 lbs/in)
Rear: 2.10kg/mm (117.5 lbs/in)

Tein S-Tech spring Rates:
Front: 3.20 kg/mm (179 lbs/in)
Rear: 2.59 kg/mm (145 lbs/in)

ION spring rate:
Sport Spec:
(Front-linear) 162lbs/in
(Rear-progressive) 95-145lb/in

Race Spec:
(Front-linear) 195lbs/in
(Rear-progressive) 100-165lb/in

I cannot seem to find the spring rates for the Eiback(sp?) springs.

 

[low_psi]

ah yes, i forgot about the iON springs. i remember reading that the teins were less agressive though... but i'm too lazy to find the thread in that thread the stock protege rates were listed and then i just added 25% to them to come up with the eibach number.

are the tien's linear?

 

[BMC]

STLBLKMSP, your car looks awesome. The gold wheels look good with the black.

 

[SoniCraze]

so does this mean the ions sit lower?

 

[KyRaceFan]

spring rates are not how low the car sits, the ammount of drop, the spring rates are how stiff the ride is. The MSP already has a fairly stiff ride, and is .8in lower than a stock protege.

and with only 500 to spend, get some good springs and shocks, and you'll be fine.