Let me say this first off: I'm cheap.


I cut my springs. Yes, i know what you're thinking: idiot blah blah blah. Well i am satisfied to an EXTENT. I'm not going to say i am completely happy with it but man, does it handle great. I lowered the center of gravity of the car about 2 1/2 inches all around. Now there are problems:

1. Ride Comfort - EXTREMELY bumpy. I don't mind but someone else might.

2. Rear bump stops - I fear i am bottoming out my rear shocks when i go over large bumps. If so, i have to live with it until i get proper lowering springs.


NOW - when i get some change, what type of springs do you guys suggest for lowering if i keep the stock setup? I would like the wheels to be tucked, like they are now.

Although i believe i am going with the coilover kit from RE-Speed.

 

Respeed offers greatest mount of lowering and adjustment as well.

 

I can fit 2 fingers ontop of the front tires and one on the rear. It was around a 2" drop all around, but with the proper equipment of springs and shocks.

 

That's what i've heard AND read. I am dying to get their R&P conversion kit.

How low before the center of gravity is 'too low'? I know there is a point at which it's too low and will screw up my suspension geometry.

 

What was your setup, John64?

 

The rear bumpstops will need to be removed and cut whenever you lower the car, otherwise you get that awful bang/clunk going over bumps. A hacksaw will work....cut about 1-1.5 inches off.

 

and camber. If you are dropping alot you should get the camber kit as well

 

Aha thank you very much. I will do that tonight or tomorrow. I'm going to post pics of the car in a moment.

 

I hated the fact that when I dropped mine with B&G springs, the front is always higher for some reason....pisses me off. I'd like the front an inch lower. I don't want to cut tho...

Billy!!! Make the RB Strut Tower Extensions PLEASE!!!

 

That was included in my plan once i get some cash.

R&P Kit
Coil-over Kit
Tokico Illuminas
Delrin bushings all around
Stiffer front sway
Camber Kit
I'm currently trying to source 15x7.5F and 15x8R Tires.

Anyone have some for sale?

 

I've heard the RB Springs will heighten the ride height sometimes. How about Eibach?

 

All the ones that have like an inch and under of height adjustment will often raise the car if it is still on original suspension.

 

I see. Well the coilover kit is the goal then. Thanks for the info. Pics are next.

 

Here ya go. Thoughts? Opinions?

 

lol, thats how mine sits at the moment on stock exhaust.

I would never have it that low except for racing. I had difficulty getting over any kind of bumps, slanted driveways and speed bumps.

 

I think it looks good....some good struts and the ride wouldnt be too bad...coilovers would be a lot nicer than cut springs though.

 

Yep, she's okay i suppose. There are problems when a speed bump is around though. >.> <.<


Speed bump = Death



lol. But yes i am going to invest in coilovers asap.
Where can i find a good pan-hard bar/tri-link setup?

 

I have the Eibach pro kit springs(No longer available AFAIK) on my FB I loved them. The drop was nice without going to far to cause problems. Now on that note, I think any of the standard lowering springs with do nicely since you are going with 15" wheels, which will fill out the wheel wells alot better than the stock 13's. The RE-Speed coilover set will be a great choice for overall adjustability for whatever you will need them for

 

wow thats low.

 

I work with a guy who used to race a 7, he had the pan hard setup on it... i think

i'll ask him tomorrow where he got it from. Although i can tell you that he bought 4 of them and then finally made one himself because he kept breaking the kit. Although he was racing, should be fine for street use

 

omg thats sweet!! ...man i wish i had some cash so i could get a coilover setup

 

I can't remember off hand what company i had found but they sold pan-hard barts, tri-links, pretty much everything for a track suspension.

My plans have changed for this car slightly. I was thinking of DD it for awhile but now i am going to start making it into a weekend tracker.

 

G-force engineering is who you are looking for!
They have alot of great upgrades for 1st gens incuding coil over setups!
http://www.gforceengineering.net/products.htm

 

By cutting the springs you have changed the spring rates. You may be to heavily sprung for the shocks, That is where the bouncing comes from. The shock can not control the spring rate.

Lowering the car that low does two things beyond what has been mentioned. First, the front roll center has been migrated to low. This is due to the control arm angle after the body was lowered. The idea is to lower the center of gravity but not change the imaginary lenght from the center of gravity to the roll center.

Secondly the rear has a binding issue under bump. You may have effectively set the static ride height at that binding point.

The SA and FB chassis can be lowered to low with the stock suspension geometry.

Coil overs and shocks, Roll center blocks and bigger sway bar will put you where you want to be without the negative effects.

-billy

 

the kit my co-worker got was from ground control... but it's been a while since he's raced