poor_red_neck

LMAO,

thanks ALOT for the info, I appreciate it greatly. This, like EVERYTHING else, is sounding like alot more than what its worth.

This will be a daily driver, I would like to do some road course racing now and then, and maybe some autocross type stuff, but no more than once every 2 months or so, there isnt very much happening on my side of the world, everybody is into 5.0's and Z28's going in a straight line

Well, I definately aint hi-rollin in cash, so the first setup is a no. So if I decide to do this, it will probably be the springs and struts. Im not doing this for da bling bling factor at all

Zach McAfee

Well, I guess you already know all you need to know, but if you do go with something, go with Ground Control coilovers ($400). If you get the right setup, you can drop as low as 2" - 2 1/2", but you can always go higher if you need.
Then again, you'll have camber problems you'll have to pay more money to fix ($180-$350), so it might not be a good idea.

poor_red_neck

If I go lower than 2 inches? Or Ill have camber problems period?

Zach McAfee

Yup.
Thats when it gets expensive. Thats probably why you don't see springs lower than 1.75" (intrax). Here's the order of my experience burning paychecks:
-Buy Eibach springs w/ tokico ill. (.75 drop): ~$850 ; Not low enough for me and I don't like the progressive rate.
-Buy GC coilovers: $400 ; rear end lowered plenty, front end not low enough (-1.75" from stock) with their shortest spring (6", 350lbs).
-Buy Racing Beat front end lowering kit: $150? ; car nice and low, but serious camber problems in the rear & very little suspension travel in the front (aprox 2", 1" before the shock bottoms out)
-Buy Mazdatrix rear camber adjuster: $150? ; not enough, still too much camber.

What I still need to buy to make things right:
-Front camber plates for more travel in the front $250-300
-Mazdatrix individual camber adjusters $180

Ain't that a bitch.

Zach McAfee

This is my favorite picture showing how low it is with 16" wheels:

poor_red_neck

Whoa, I dont want it that low, maybe 3/4 of an inch higher... how low is that lowered?

Ronac

i think that picture looks really low because he is turning..

KenshinFC

God, i can't believe there are rotorheads in here recommending poorredneck to cut his springs. Thats crazy crap thats going to crash his car.

He wants a functional suspension to daily drive and go on the track every-so-often. You telling him to cut his springs is like telling him to drive into a wall at the track. Spend the money and buy a quality suspension setup, spring/strut setup at the least (which is the cheapest).

I'd rather have you spend a few bills and be happy with your car rather than get a funky clunky noise and bad ride and driveability.
Kevin

cloead

Uhmm.. dunno if it's been mentioned but if you lowered your fc 4 inches.. well it would be about an inch and a 1/4 off the ground. lowering a car that is already really low is pretty ricey no matter how you put it, expecially if you are just cutting the springs or heating them up.

Buy some coilovers and do like a 1" drop or something.

JerryLH3

iTrader: (11)

I quote this because everyone seemed to misss it. He doesn't need to waste his money on adjustable coilovers if he just wants a lower ride by a couple of inches.

Given that FCs are old, and certain things probably haven't been replaced during the life of the vehicle, the suspension will probably need to be re-worked anyhow. Go with either stock shocks/struts or some non-adjustable Tokicos.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/h2.htm

For springs, choose whichever you want. If the front still isn't low enough, get the front lowering kit.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/h6_86-92.htm

Zach McAfee

Yeah, it looks so low because I'm turning.
Here's a good shot w/ the 16's sitting still (high res):
http://www.zaxjax.com/images/P4130086.JPG

This is right after I installed the coilovers, 17's:


It's lowered 2" and I don't think it's too low. I wanna go another 1/2" or more.

Look at the photos here and you'll see a few different angles. When I have my 17's on I always wish it was lower. With the 16's at the track it looks nice. I can't afford to play with it anymore anyway.

All that being said, you should go with springs. Get something with a 1.5-1.75" drop and I think you'll be happy. The rated drops are from stock and usually ends up being less btw. With my eibachs (0.75") you couldn't tell it was lowered at all.

Here I am with eibachs and phone dial wheels. She's come a long way!


I think you've been presented with alot of good info in this thread (despite the cutting & heating), so it's up to you now! Make the right decision for you.

Good luck!