ALL pros and cons of lowering your car???

[Foxfan88]

I think lowering my car would do wonders for the looks.

What mechanical and drivability and other issues come with lowering the car????????????

 

[giddyup306]

pro=better handling
con=hit your front bumper on the curb while parking
con=more firm ride


BTW if you do lower make sure you put in some struts that can controll the rebound. Otherwise when you hit a bump you will more than likely bottom out your tires in the wheel well!

 

[Foxfan88]

I heard that lowering causes traction problems at the track???
Is this true??

 

[giddyup306]

At the dragstrip maybe. On the roadcourse NO.

 

[90mustangGT]

Lower and/or firmer does not mean better handling.

When you lower the vehicle you change the steering and suspension's geometery. Firmness handles changes how it reacts to bumps and dips in the road. The stock suspension sits higher for ground clearance and softer for ride quality, not engineered for perfromance. By changing the suspension system you will also effect weight transfer on both acceleration and braking.

 

[giddyup306]

Yes but he will have a lower center of gravity which will mean better handeling.

 

[super302]

pro=better handling
con=hit your front bumper on the curb while parking
con=more firm ride

thats basically it

 

[txstang84]

ck out "Mustang Performance Handbook 2" for setting up your car for the strip, road race, autocross, or for street settings-there's a varitable plethora of info in there for whatever you wanna do

 

[notchback]

biggest con...cheater slicks won't fit anymore...and will cut into sidewall when you hook hard

 

[txstang84]

Yes but he will have a lower center of gravity which will mean better handeling.

to a certain degree-if you don't change your bushings, or your shocks, struts, spring rates, etc to match what you want to do with the car, then you're basically turning the car into a sled. there are phenomenon known as bump steer, ackerman steer, etc which all play into road racing...if all you do is lower the stock suspension, it will look good, but you've effectively changed all the rates for camber gain, tow rates, and such...and not necessarily for the better.

like i mentioned before, "Mustang Performance Handbook 2" will guide you in the right direction, and yes there is a "Mustang Performance Handbook", it deals with engine and drivetrain setup, while number 2 deals with chassis, suspension and brakes

 

[_jb_]

Con: LT headers will start leaving more sparks

 

[bcmbcmbcm]

Pro-->>everything said above, (AND more than expected if you do it once and right, replace little parts like tie rod ends, proper damening, etc.)
Con not yet mentioned-->>hard to find folks who aren't scared to align it.

 

[giddyup306]

Yes it also can change toe out on turns and SAI. The list is endless. Usually if people are going to redo there whole suspension they will replace all bushings if need be.

 

[bmo37]

all these issues can be addressed fairly easy. you can either get a bumpersteer kit which lowers the tierod ends or you can get an offest bushing kit for the steering rack.

 

[mondos90lx]

how bad would it effect launches at the track? Im looking to get Ford B springs...i dont mean to hijack the thread but ive had questions about this too