Lowering with smaller diameter tires

gmantheman

Member

Dec 30, 2007

483

1

16

Escondido, CA

May 25, 2008

#1

• May 25, 2008

• #1

I may want to lower my car, only problem is that I think my wheels are too small in diameter. They are BFG KDW 245/45/17. I bought these about two weeks ago. The tire height is about 25.7" Has anyone lowered the S197 with a smaller diameter tire with little to no problems? I am thinking a 1" front and 1.2 to 1.3 rear drop might work. I am also beginning to think that I may not be able to lower it without having problems. The car is my DD.

 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.

10 Year Member

May 23, 2004

692

10

89

East Moline, IL

May 25, 2008

#2

• May 25, 2008

• #2

I would get the Roush springs. They have a very mild drop. The other problem that you'll find is that you'll still have quite a bit of wheel gap, due to the smaller tire diameter.

 

C

COBESGT

Member

Oct 19, 2004

231

0

16

Dubuque, Iowa

May 26, 2008

#3

• May 26, 2008

• #3

I lowered mine with Eibach Pro-Kit and my tires are 1" shorter than stock (255/45/17, 26" vs 27" (stock)). The only problem that I have is that I periodically scrap when pulling in/out of some parking lots. I really have to pay attention when doing this and go in/out at an angle. Plus what DarkFireGT said, there will still be a gap above the wheel. Those are the only issues that I had, but you will want to go with an adjustable panhard bar, to re-center the rearend, after you lower the car.

 

gmantheman

Member

Dec 30, 2007

483

1

16

Escondido, CA

May 26, 2008

#4

• May 26, 2008

• #4

I figure there will still be a gap, but not as bad as now.

 

08blueskunk

New Member

May 8, 2008

217

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Maine

May 27, 2008

#5

• May 27, 2008

• #5

i have the stock 18" 235/55 i think, and i used the ford performance springs with 1.5" drop and almost 0 gap in the front and maybe 1" in the rear. a difference of what used to be about 3" and 4" now that they settled a little.

 

StonePony

New Member

Jan 10, 2006

218

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0

May 27, 2008

#6

• May 27, 2008

• #6

Yes you could lower it and go for the Mexican look.

 

08blueskunk

New Member

May 8, 2008

217

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Maine

May 27, 2008

#7

• May 27, 2008

• #7

Rock some 100 spoke 16"wheelzzz with some 235/45 white wallz "layin on tha' pavement"

lol

 

gmantheman

Member

Dec 30, 2007

483

1

16

Escondido, CA

May 29, 2008

#8

• May 29, 2008

• #8

Not going for the lowrider Latino look. I should have checked the tire height online before buying. Looking at my old tires Nitto 450 255/50/17 and the new BFG KDW side by side, I couldn't see that much if any difference in tire height. Even doing a mild 1.2 to 1.5" drop my cause too many problems. After the BFGs wear out I may just upgrade to 18" wheels and tires.