Question about lowering...

[javy212]

I've heard that lowering a car can actual degrade handling performance. I've been told that lowering can throw off the balance of the car and change the charateristics of the car negatively. Is this true. Are there anydown sides to lowering other than issues with ground clearance? Thanks

 

[CharlieP5]

I've heard that lowering a car can actual degrade handling performance. I've been told that lowering can throw off the balance of the car and change the charateristics of the car negatively. Is this true. Are there anydown sides to lowering other than issues with ground clearance? Thanks

If you lower the center of gravity you improve your handling as long as you don't over do it.

I think it all depends on the quality of the suspension or coilovers you use. If you get $100 coilovers you'll probably degrade your handling. If you spend $800+ on coilovers you'll probably improve...it's all relative.

I have Eibach Springs on my P5 I felt an improvement in handling...

 

[sundevilMP5]

yeah...you can totally degrade your susupension and handling if you don't have parts that work together well...

for example...our stock struts and springs were manufactured to match the spring rates, travel, etc etc...this is why our stock suspension works so well together...now if you dropped in some springs that totally don't match the strut specifications the struts won't be able to handle the load or spring rate...basically the two components will be working against each other...this can lead to a horrible ride and premature suspension failure...

all of this can be avoided usually by not getting really cheap parts or asking around about different compatabilities...from what i've heard our stock struts run well with most of the springs out there...but for the best performance you'll have to go with coilovers where the springs and struts are matched with each other...if you're just dropping a little more then an inch then there shouldn't be a problem...when dropping more then 2in. then you'll probably start running into problems with ride quality...

happy driving...
losers of the world unite

 

[cfbjr]

No doubt lowering your car will change the handling, ride and wear characteristics of your vehicle. Lowering reduces the amount of travel in you suspension and stiffens the ride signifigantly. The lower you go the stiffer the spring and shock you use. You are trying to keep the car from bottoming out which is undesireable as it actually negatively effects your handling at that point. Additionally, lowering changes the alignment of your car, more negative camber for instance, which could be desirable as that will help you turn better, but could also cause the inside shoulders of your tires to wear prematurely. It is best if you can get a camber kit installed when you lower the vehicle to make sure that you can still adjust the alignment to proper specs. When you lower you also lower the center of gravity which is a good thing. It really all matters what you goal is for lowering. Is it for looks or performance? You may be able to accomplish what you want without changing the suspension at all. Just changing the alignment specs or tires or tire pressures. If you just want to slam it for looks, you should still make sure your alignment can be adjusted enough to make sure you don't create too much wear on you tires.

 

[javy212]

I wanted to lower for both looks and handling. So what are good lowring kits then? Eibach? H&R? GroundControl? Skunk2? are these all good?

And what are the prices for some of these? where can I get them?

 

[cfbjr]

I've heard good thing about the Ground Control and H&R. Ground Control is used by a lot of racers and with usually offer you a fully adjustable system whic will allow you to tweak for the best ride.

 

[cfbjr]

Remember, you have to approach the handling part of your question by defining what it is you are trying to fix in the handling of your vehicle. What is it about the handling of the MP3 that you don't like? I think you'll find that is a hard question to answer.