Things to keep in mind when lowering?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Macomb, MI / Rochester, MI
Things to keep in mind when lowering? I am planning to install new Koni STR.T shocks and strano 1.25" lowering springs on my 1997 z28. But this is my first time lowering a car and I want to make sure I am aware of any consequences. I have read a few places that it messes with your suspension geometry (obviously) and can have downsides because of it. I'm planning on replacing my lower control arms (BMR) along with a relo bracket and a PHB. Are there any other suggestions or precautions I need to know before doing this? I'm thinking about sticking with stock springs because they work fine. Thanks!
You will need an adjustable panhard bar as your rear will shift with the new lowering springs. You'll need to re-center it. Also take a look at your bumpstops as they are most likely gone.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Macomb, MI / Rochester, MI
Yes I almost forgot about the bump stops. Those were already corroded and gone. Why does the PHB need to be adjustable?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
I am planning to install new Koni STR.T shocks and strano 1.25" lowering springs on my 1997 z28. But this is my first time lowering a car and I want to make sure I am aware of any consequences. I have read a few places that it messes with your suspension geometry (obviously) and can have downsides because of it. I'm planning on replacing my lower control arms (BMR) along with a relo bracket and a PHB. Are there any other suggestions or precautions I need to know before doing this? I'm thinking about sticking with stock springs because they work fine. Thanks!
You do NOT need LCA's and relocation brackets. While they might help if you get wheel hop, that's all they will really benefit.
If you do get aftermarket LCAs, do not get poly bushings.
In the OPs' opening post he stated "I'm thinking about sticking with stock springs because they work fine."
If he keeps using the stock springs,there won't be any lowering at all. Springs control height and shocks control movement.
If he keeps using the stock springs,there won't be any lowering at all. Springs control height and shocks control movement.
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I am planning to install new Koni STR.T shocks and strano 1.25" lowering springs on my 1997 z28. But this is my first time lowering a car and I want to make sure I am aware of any consequences. I have read a few places that it messes with your suspension geometry (obviously) and can have downsides because of it. I'm planning on replacing my lower control arms (BMR) along with a relo bracket and a PHB. Are there any other suggestions or precautions I need to know before doing this? I'm thinking about sticking with stock springs because they work fine. Thanks!
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Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
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Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Macomb, MI / Rochester, MI
I would go ahead and plan on replacing the strut mounts with a set of Moog or OEM ones if you have a decent amount of mileage on the car. Normally I recommend getting the Moog ones off of rockauto.com. You have the suspension components listed that will take care of fixing the suspension geometry after the car has been lowered. Plan on losing a little ground clearance and little stiffer ride but honestly the Koni shocks and those spring will team up just fine together. It is really hard to beat a car with a nice aggressive lowered stance that handles well so if it were me I would lower it.
I just did a complete BMR suspension rebuild around the same mileage you are at now. Also used the exact same shocks. The shock mounts will definately need to be replaced unless you are extremely lucky, but why not just have everything ready to go in as one unit after you take the old unit out.
Things you will definately want to purchase before hand (other than shocks and springs):
1. adjustable panhard rod
2. LCA relocation brackets
3. Moog Upper Shock Mounts (K6516 for the left K6517 for the right)
4. Two Moog Upper mount isolators (K6573)
5. Two Moog Lower coil seat (K80927)
You will also want to really pay attention to the tools you have because getting that stupid T-50 or T-47 torx screws from under the brake booster was a pain in the ***.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-6-5-15-a.html
Things you will definately want to purchase before hand (other than shocks and springs):
1. adjustable panhard rod
2. LCA relocation brackets
3. Moog Upper Shock Mounts (K6516 for the left K6517 for the right)
4. Two Moog Upper mount isolators (K6573)
5. Two Moog Lower coil seat (K80927)
You will also want to really pay attention to the tools you have because getting that stupid T-50 or T-47 torx screws from under the brake booster was a pain in the ***.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-6-5-15-a.html
Just let us know when you are ready for the PHB and we will take care of you on it. We have a Thanksgiving Day/Black Friday sale starting on Monday so I would take advantage of that and save a couple $$$.
__________________
Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Macomb, MI / Rochester, MI
Not a problem, we are here to help out any way we can. While you are there I would definitely just go ahead and throw new strut mounts in because you aren't going to want to tear anything back apart once you have it together.
Just let us know when you are ready for the PHB and we will take care of you on it. We have a Thanksgiving Day/Black Friday sale starting on Monday so I would take advantage of that and save a couple $$$.
Just let us know when you are ready for the PHB and we will take care of you on it. We have a Thanksgiving Day/Black Friday sale starting on Monday so I would take advantage of that and save a couple $$$.
Do I need to pm you? Or will the sale be open to anyone if I order on Friday?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Macomb, MI / Rochester, MI
I just did a complete BMR suspension rebuild around the same mileage you are at now. Also used the exact same shocks. The shock mounts will definately need to be replaced unless you are extremely lucky, but why not just have everything ready to go in as one unit after you take the old unit out.
Things you will definately want to purchase before hand (other than shocks and springs):
1. adjustable panhard rod
2. LCA relocation brackets
3. Moog Upper Shock Mounts (K6516 for the left K6517 for the right)
4. Two Moog Upper mount isolators (K6573)
5. Two Moog Lower coil seat (K80927)
You will also want to really pay attention to the tools you have because getting that stupid T-50 or T-47 torx screws from under the brake booster was a pain in the ***.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-6-5-15-a.html
Things you will definately want to purchase before hand (other than shocks and springs):
1. adjustable panhard rod
2. LCA relocation brackets
3. Moog Upper Shock Mounts (K6516 for the left K6517 for the right)
4. Two Moog Upper mount isolators (K6573)
5. Two Moog Lower coil seat (K80927)
You will also want to really pay attention to the tools you have because getting that stupid T-50 or T-47 torx screws from under the brake booster was a pain in the ***.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/suspensio...-6-5-15-a.html
I'm glad you could help with specifics, thank you! I have a leftover T-50 from having to replace the trunk struts lol. Thanks for the link, and good luck with your build!
Oh I finished mine already. Took a whole weekend to do, granted at a slow and comfortable pace but it was fun to do.
So what happens if you don't install an adjustable panhard bar? I will be getting BMR lowering springs and Koni STR shocks installed, and that's it. None of the other parts mentioned in this thread. I talked to the sponsor that will be doing the work and he said I didn't need an adjustable panhard. I said so I have all the parts I need? He said yep.
So what happens if you don't install an adjustable panhard bar? I will be getting BMR lowering springs and Koni STR shocks installed, and that's it. None of the other parts mentioned in this thread. I talked to the sponsor that will be doing the work and he said I didn't need an adjustable panhard. I said so I have all the parts I need? He said yep.
it's not an expensive part (less then a 100 bucks if you go with the Founders part) so there is no reason NOT to do it.
Well I can still get it, still waiting on exhaust parts before I take my car in for the job. I just don't understand why he told me it wasn't needed. Maybe it isn't totally necessary but it sounds like it should be highly recommended.
Every car is different and I would just wait until you lower it to see where it sits. My car really didn't shift after I lowered it so I saw no benefit in buying an adj. panhard bar. My 17x11's fit well back there after a little massaging.
Thanks, that's good to hear. That alleviates my fears. I guess that's why they told me not to worry about buying a PHB. They are pretty knowledgeable, but then you start reading stuff...
all I can say is it was visibly noticeable when I installed my BMR springs. I wanna say it was like a 1/2" difference from quarter panel to tire on one side versus the other, which meant a 1/4" or so shift to recenter.