Are you still rolling stock?

[dubbsix]

So, im in the middle of my suspension build and i wondered how much would replacing the stock coil spring with aftermarket lowering springs would help my car handle.

I know that a lower center of gravity is what most spring peddlers proclaim as the reason for the typical 1 -1.5" drop, but is it worth it?

1. Would a car with stock ride height and after market strut/shock combo handle just as well as a 1" lowered car with the same strut/shock combo?

2. Aside from setting ride height, how much of a role do the coil springs place in performance handling?

I have to admit that with my project i am not looking for a canyon carver, or a road racing setup. Just a car that handles well on the street.

 

[SuperStang83]

Lowering the CG will definitely help and it will look much better.

 

[dubbsix]

Well yea. Thats kind of my point that i am not so sure its a notable difference in performance.. as much as its a notable difference in ride height.

I read somewhere that lowering the suspension actually hurts the performance of the suspension system if you are using the stock fox mounting locations for the struts and shocks.

 

[Fox8950]

Its nice to have caster-camber plates and the tie rod ends that help with bump steer for sure when you lower your ride. I am just runnin a set of the ford racing springs, not much drop but the lower control arms I picked up drop the rear 1" or 2" and it sits plenty low for my tastes

 

[dubbsix]

What model springs are you running?

 

[PUNISHER RACING]

The springs will be a world of difference in the handling characteristics of your car they not only lower your center of gravity but maintain a better spring rate to keep your car from bobbing when stuffed into a corner. Along with better shocks and struts higher durometer bushings will also help make your car a much better performer. Go for a spring like the Ford Racing C kit it will drop you an inch or so an stiffen that car up to help it stay where its put.

 

[dubbsix]

Punisher -- thanks for the advice. I was looking at the C springs. Im not so much worried about a slammed look as i am concerned with a good platform. Would you have to have an opinon on KYB Gas A Just units?

 

[PUNISHER RACING]

kyb makes killer stuff for the money even the non adjustable ones work much better than stock stuff

 

[ninety15.0]

Eh....I'm running those struts/shocks...and I'm not that impressed. They are very inexpensive which is nice...but i dont think they perform all that well. I think your money would be better spent on tokico's or billstiens...and you'll be happier in the long run.

 

[JKidd]

From what I remember, a 1 - 1.5 inch drop will help handling performance (if done with a set of lowering springs as opposed to cutting a coil on a spring). Anything lower than that becomes detrimental to handling unless further changes are made.

The KYB shocks/struts are an excellent STOCK replacement with performance very similar to the stock ones. If improved performance is desired, Koni, Tokico, Bilstein, etc. would be a better (but more expensive) route.

 

[dubbsix]

KYB experience

I had KYB GAS a Just shocks on my 93 camaro and i can say that the car did handle well. It didnt feel like a road race car, but it rode nice and tight. Not so sure how their struts work since my camaro had shocks all the way around.

If i do lower the car a bit it will be the right way. Not by cutting the coils. I hate to see ricers looking like gasoline pogo sticks on the street because they were too cheap to buy drop springs.

Would someone say that the Tokico HP (blues) are better than the KYB's?

 

[sweetSaleen]

in my 87 Gt there are lowering springs, KYB shocks and struts all around, with 17 inch rims and 245's at all four corners. Handles well, just needs a strut tower brace, sub frames and a lower chasis brace to finish it off. Handles well as is, just want it to be a little stiffer.

 

[dubbsix]

Nice setup

Your stang looks good. Probably the same stance that i'd like to take on mine. What springs did you go with?

 

[sweetSaleen]

I purchased the car with the springs in already. I believe he said they are Eibachs.. I have a folder full of receipts at home so I will check later.

 

[iwashmycar]

im runnin the Csprings with KYBs all around 245 tires. No rear isolators because you get a raked look i wasnt fond of. You need C/C plates...i murdered 2 prefectly new tires..

View attachment 349996

actually..i think my sig had a pic with the rear isolators still in...

 

[Darkwriter77]

Beware of the fact that lowering your car can also affect your ability to launch. Not sure exactly how it works, just that folks who've lowered their cars usually wind up having to compensate for the traction loss with better lower/upper control arms and such...

 

[dubbsix]

What do the rear isolaters do?

 

[Fox8950]

the rear isolators are the rubber piece between the spring and the frame that absorbs some vibrations and gets rid of any metal to metal noises.

**beware goin to low tho ... genius previous owner of mine had a set of megabite control arms put on and set in the drag setting which dropped it 2" or so and then put eibach sportlines in all 4 corners which alone will drop the hell out of a stang. Needless to say it rode so low the LPW rear diff cover/girdle smashed a nice size dent into the spare tire well.

Have it set up with ford c springs and the control arms set w/ only 1" drop now will post pics tomorrow its dark at the moment

 

[dubbsix]

I dont want to even go near that low. Just an even 1 inch drop all the way around. I started this thread with the intention of finding out whether it was worth it to drop in new and improved coil springs. I learned a few things about how they work and how much of an impact it would make.

Sometimes when you are low on funds you are alot more critical of where the money goes!

 

[talladam]

sweetsaleen, what is the color on your car? looks awesome.