Are there disadvantages to lowering your fbody?
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I really can't decide if I want to lower my SS. Besides ground clearance, are there any other disadvantages to lowering my SS? Are there more advantages than disadvantages? Thanks!
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Originally Posted by travisnd
I really can't decide if I want to lower my SS. Besides ground clearance, are there any other disadvantages to lowering my SS? Are there more advantages than disadvantages? Thanks!
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After lowering you have to use angles when entering and leaving parking lots. It helps to do it slowly, sometimes you can't turn left quickly across traffic into an entrance and hit it perpendicularly. Have to wait for a larger opening in traffic so you can turn slow and hit it on an angle. Avoid speed bumps.
Mine is lowered and I love it. It is my first lowered car, on the interstate you do not get blown around. Semi's passing won't suck you towards them. I let my lady drive it on the interstate and when we got out to get gas the wind was blowing so hard it was difficult to open the gas station door. But while driving we had no idea, and the was the first time she drove it.
I think that the aero advantages outway the scraping. I plan on lowering my other car too.
Mine is lowered and I love it. It is my first lowered car, on the interstate you do not get blown around. Semi's passing won't suck you towards them. I let my lady drive it on the interstate and when we got out to get gas the wind was blowing so hard it was difficult to open the gas station door. But while driving we had no idea, and the was the first time she drove it.
I think that the aero advantages outway the scraping. I plan on lowering my other car too.
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It all depends on your driving style and what roads are like in your area. First off you need to have nice roads because of obvious ground clearance issues and the fact that the ride will be a bit stiffer with the lower springs. Also, if you are going drag mainly and need the weight transfer then stay stock height. If you are going for appearance or handling then go lower. The lowered center of gravity will allow your car to handle much better in the turns and IMO looks sweet. Hope this helps..
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Originally Posted by travisnd
What all is needed to lower your car properly? I was thinking of springs, adjustable panhard and relocation brackets for lca's. Anything else?
the only disadvantage is if you half *** it and dont get all the complimenting parts.
Springs AND shocks are required
then anything else
LCA relocators are sorta optional for the reasons stated above
Adjustable panard is a must if your running wider than stock tires...
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Travis, ground clearance is an issue, if you get a spring that drops your car more than 1.5" you need to be cautious espesically with a 35th SE. Search as many post as you can on different setups, and choose the one that fits your driving style the most. In addition to a drop, your car will require other suspension parts (i.e. panhard rod, relocation brackets, front end alignment).
My setup: Eibach pro-kit, QA1 adjustables, adj. panhard rod, weld-in relocation brackets. I love the stance and it negotiates turns well, but wouldn't recommend it to anyone else for the reason that the struts/shocks fail to dampen the springs as much as i'd like. If I could do it over I would choose a 1" drop spring (Hotchkis and BMR)with an adj. strut/shock combo...
I think there are more advantages than disadvantages, READ READ READ and consult some of the sponsors>>>>>>> and you'll find the right set-up
My setup: Eibach pro-kit, QA1 adjustables, adj. panhard rod, weld-in relocation brackets. I love the stance and it negotiates turns well, but wouldn't recommend it to anyone else for the reason that the struts/shocks fail to dampen the springs as much as i'd like. If I could do it over I would choose a 1" drop spring (Hotchkis and BMR)with an adj. strut/shock combo...
I think there are more advantages than disadvantages, READ READ READ and consult some of the sponsors>>>>>>> and you'll find the right set-up
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I've never had or driven a lowered f-body, but I do have a lowered '88 Mustang GT that I first drove with the factory Ford springs. Also, I have done some research on the advantages and disadvantages of lowering springs on f-bodies.
Advantages to lowering:
1. better handling
2. no 4x4 wheel well
Disadvantages to lowering:
1. stiffer ride
2. decrease in weight transfer
3. the need for expensive matching parts such as revalved Bilsteins or Koni shocks to properly dampen the springs
4. the possibility of losing the optimal factory rear control arm angle--requiring you to buy relocation brackets to get it back
5. the possibility of the car being lower in the back and higher in the front (as I've read the experiences of Camaro owners with the Eibach Pro-Kit springs or even with the SLP Eibachs)
6. the possibility of having to buy an adjustable panhard rod to recenter your rear-end
7. the possibility of needing a front-end alignment
8. you'll be tempted to buy bigger rims and tires to compliment the lowered look
So, I count 8 disadvantages versus 2 advantages. Personally, I think the worst disadvantage is the stiffer ride. I still have the factory springs at a little over 50,000 miles. I think it rides stiff enough with the factory springs, but I think that replacing my probably-worn out factory shocks with Bilstein HD's will make the car ride like a luxury car. I wouldn't want to drive the car if the ride got any stiffer. I think that, in the end, it's your call: do you want to sacrifice comfort for looks or looks for comfort?
Advantages to lowering:
1. better handling
2. no 4x4 wheel well
Disadvantages to lowering:
1. stiffer ride
2. decrease in weight transfer
3. the need for expensive matching parts such as revalved Bilsteins or Koni shocks to properly dampen the springs
4. the possibility of losing the optimal factory rear control arm angle--requiring you to buy relocation brackets to get it back
5. the possibility of the car being lower in the back and higher in the front (as I've read the experiences of Camaro owners with the Eibach Pro-Kit springs or even with the SLP Eibachs)
6. the possibility of having to buy an adjustable panhard rod to recenter your rear-end
7. the possibility of needing a front-end alignment
8. you'll be tempted to buy bigger rims and tires to compliment the lowered look
So, I count 8 disadvantages versus 2 advantages. Personally, I think the worst disadvantage is the stiffer ride. I still have the factory springs at a little over 50,000 miles. I think it rides stiff enough with the factory springs, but I think that replacing my probably-worn out factory shocks with Bilstein HD's will make the car ride like a luxury car. I wouldn't want to drive the car if the ride got any stiffer. I think that, in the end, it's your call: do you want to sacrifice comfort for looks or looks for comfort?
Last edited by damon_Z; 12-09-2005 at 08:18 PM.
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As already mentioned, the biggest disadvantage for me was the loss of ride quality. I love how my car looks and handles with drop springs, but hot damn, if I'm not on a smoothly paved road it feels like my car will shatter into pieces.
Of course, upgrading my shocks would probably be a good idea
Of course, upgrading my shocks would probably be a good idea
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