00formLs1

i drove a buddies lowered TA the other day and the ride quality was awfual. i am not sure of the kit he had but wanted to know if this is a comman thing.
i could fell every little bump on the road.

sixvi6-camaro

iTrader: (9)

He probably lowered it and kept the stock shocks. Stock shocks + lowering springs = poor performance and horrid ride

00formLs1

thats what i was thinking but wasn't sure. is that because the shocks are compressed more because of the springs and have less movement?

Azrael

iTrader: (10)

Damping quality... The DeCarbons can barely dampen the stock springs, with lowering springs having higher rates do to their less travel, the stock deCarbons will just make you bounce like a box spring.

MeentSS02

iTrader: (11)

Pretty much hit the nail on the head...if you give the shocks less room to damp, they'd better be upgraded to handle it...otherwise, you'll end up with a horrid ride.

WADDISME

iTrader: (4)

I did the Konis with my lowering springs. Ride is about the same, but handling is like 5x better. Don't be swayed by someones mistake.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

A messed up spring can really screw you up, but not as much as using any spring (good or not) with shocks that cannot control them. That's my guess with your friend's car, and it's also likely he used some crap springs too.

CW00BlackTA

iTrader: (31)

I had the same experiences in a couple of lowered cars I rode in. That's why I just cut my stock springs. Still have the same ride quality with the stock shocks. I am planning on new shocks very soon though.

ls1wfo

Yeah, that was my experience too. Tried several different after market lowering spring sets and they all rode like crap. Then I had my stock springs cut with stock shocks and got the stance I was looking for with a smooth ride too.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Fella's..... note that these two guys are both on their stock shocks. Lowering springs worked not well for them, and when they returned to stock springs (even if cut a little), things got much better (though I'd say far from good knowing the stock shocks' abilities).
Amazing what happens when a shock valving better matches a spring rate. And in this case it's still not a great match.

The point is to those wanting lowering springs, but NOT willing to look at upgrading the shocks. It's a bad idea. Shocks are spring dampers. When the spring damper doesn't jive properly with the spring rate, you won't like the result. And that is the biggest reasons folks don't like the ride of lowering springs. It's not because the springs are "so stiff", it's because the springs and the shocks don't match. A well matched set will actually ride quite well. Firm? Absolutely. Harsh? Not if things are well matched.