ALL pros and cons of lowering your car???

Foxfan88

My Grandpa has great wood.

Sep 13, 2004

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Miami, Ok

Jun 18, 2005

#1

• Jun 18, 2005

• #1

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

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

 

giddyup306

Founding Member

Oct 22, 2002

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Jun 18, 2005

#2

• Jun 18, 2005

• #2

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

My Grandpa has great wood.

Sep 13, 2004

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Miami, Ok

Jun 18, 2005

#3

• Jun 18, 2005

• #3

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

 

giddyup306

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Oct 22, 2002

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Jun 18, 2005

#4

• Jun 18, 2005

• #4

At the dragstrip maybe. On the roadcourse NO.

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

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Jan 15, 2002

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Dallas, GA

Jun 18, 2005

#5

• Jun 18, 2005

• #5

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

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Oct 22, 2002

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Jun 18, 2005

#6

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

 

super302

I'd do anything for free Bapples

May 29, 2004

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Davenport, IA

Jun 18, 2005

#7

• Jun 18, 2005

• #7

giddyup306 said:

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

Click to expand...

thats basically it

 

txstang84

15 Year Member

May 21, 2005

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Tuscola, tx

Jun 18, 2005

#8

• Jun 18, 2005

• #8

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

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St Clair Shores MI

Jun 19, 2005

#9

• Jun 19, 2005

• #9

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

 

txstang84

15 Year Member

May 21, 2005

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Tuscola, tx

Jun 19, 2005

#10

• Jun 19, 2005

• #10

giddyup306 said:

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

Click to expand...

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_

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Mar 4, 2004

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Michigan, Berrien County

Jun 19, 2005

#11

• Jun 19, 2005

• #11

Con: LT headers will start leaving more sparks

 

B

bcmbcmbcm

20+ Year Stangneter

Jan 29, 2003

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Jun 19, 2005

#12

• Jun 19, 2005

• #12

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

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Oct 22, 2002

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Jun 19, 2005

#13

• Jun 19, 2005

• #13

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

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Jun 27, 2001

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New Jersey

Jun 19, 2005

#14

• Jun 19, 2005

• #14

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

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Stoneham Massachusetts

Jun 19, 2005

#15

• Jun 19, 2005

• #15

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