Does lowering ur car improve handling?

[pcpower]

topic

I've heard time and again that it actually noticeably decreases the handling, making it much worse in snow and other wet weather.

but according to logic, isn't a lower center of gravity more balanced? the lower 2 the ground, the less chance of tipping over? Or rather are cars just so much more complicated w/ all their parts and whatnot that this logic doesn't apply?

thx

[adidas2go]

Bad to snow because you are lower to the ground, making your car a plow.

Good for everything else. Lower center of gravity = better handling.

The end

[beeristasty]

Like Adidas said, clearance is an issue - you increase your odds of damage from pot holes, road debris, curbs, etc.

Also not mentioned was the effect on ride comfort. The ride is a little harsher, but I'll take the extra bit of harshness for better handling any day.

[rjdmmfl1]

Like Adidas said, clearance is an issue - you increase your odds of damage from pot holes, road debris, curbs, etc.

Also not mentioned was the effect on ride comfort. The ride is a little harsher, but I'll take the extra bit of harshness for better handling any day.

yes, but if you have the coupe, then the ride was already pretty harsh from the factory due to the "sport tuned suspension". The lowering springs didn't do much at all to decrease the comfort of the Coupe...IMO, the Sedan ride is MUCH more comfortable than the coupe... but then again, if you're in a coupe, you shouldn't be looking for cozy comfort, you should be looking for FUN!

[adidas2go]

Yes, as robert mentioned, I didn't think to say anything about the ride comfort because all the springs on the market for the altima coupe are progressive rate springs. They are built to substantially produce better performance, but still retain the same coil pattern to allow for maximum comfort. The ride doesn't really change at all for the altima coupe with springs.

[mcheddadi]

Bad to snow because you are lower to the ground, making your car a plow.

Good for everything else. Lower center of gravity = better handling.

The end

I'm a little worried about snow. I guess I'm going to have an interesting winter this year hahaha

[PHENOMenalVinyl]

this is why i cant lower it bc of the snow issue i go to school in pa so snow is an issue

[beeristasty]

Wow - I thought my SE sedan's suspension was a touch rough when it was stock- but I can see their ride being a little more reserved vs the coupe for the now obvious reasons.

This is what I get for venturing out of the 4th Gen cave and into the Coupe forums

[skilled44]

its not really hard to switch out the lowering kit before the winter months come though...

[ja105ny]

how low is the car with springs? i wanted to get em but was worried about speed bumps, potholes and such

[LongBeachCoupe]

dude didnt it just stop snowing like yesterday by you?

[08altima35]

how low is the car with springs? i wanted to get em but was worried about speed bumps, potholes and such

you're in houston bro. get the eibachs. your won't have any problems.

[ja105ny]

will do. now to get the money

[mcheddadi]

dude didnt it just stop snowing like yesterday by you?

like two month ago

[pcpower]

awesome, thx!

[Serkle K]

To be totally honest with you, I dont know why people think snow is really that big of an issue. While I don't have my car lowered, My cousin brought his Miata over from Cali when he moved out here about 3 years ago. It has fully built suspension, and an appreance package (front lip, side skirts, and rear mud guards) so it sits very low to the ground. But unless you're actually driving during the heaviest snow storm (which most people don't do anyway), you usually end up driving ontop of it all especially since Snow trucks/Plows move and pack it all down. His only real problem and concern was handeling, cause it would have the tendancy to break loose in wet/icey corners, lol... but that's just my .02

And sry I didn't mean to threadjack...

[kyle@stillen]

I am currently in the process of writing a technical guide on the finer points of suspension modifications. I have done ALOT of research and testing over the past few years as I find suspension to be one of the most interesting parts of a vehicle. I hope you don't mind if I throw in my .02.

When it comes to lowered suspension affecting handling (positive or negatively), it all depends on how it's done. At STILLEN we have 2 identically equipped 2005 Ford Mustang's in our shop. They have exactly the same power adders but one has some prototype H&R springs and the other has a production Eibach lowering kit and Steeda panhard bar. The car equipped with the prototype H&R springs absolutely SUCKS when it comes to handling. They did not get the spring rates right (too soft) and therefore under acceleration the car squats too far and becomes hard to control...Especially when cornering, the car just bounces all over and bucks like a horse. Keep in mind I am not trying to say that these are production springs...My understanding is that H&R has since re-designed their springs to a heavier spring rate, these were literally a rush rush job to get the car ready for the SEMA show. Now the Mustang with the Eibach production springs and Steeda panhard bar is AWESOME. I absolutely LOVE driving this car. It is very easy to control all 435 rear wheel horsepower and you can kick the back end around with ease and perfect control.

A properly designed, spec'd, and engineered lowering kit will improve the handling of your car. Like it has been said, a lower center of gravity equals better handling.

In terms of experiences while driving in snow. I don't really have any insight on this subject as I live in California...The only snow I see is when I watch the Discovery Channel haha. But like the last gentleman posted...I would imagine that driving in snow would really depend on the conditions of the snow and road. If you are driving in a blizzard then I don't think a 1" drop is going to be much worse than standard height...

[GryStrm]

...i remebered my butt hurting for like two weeks after i dropped mine with eibach springs....and added a stiffer stillen rear sway bar...but it was stiffer more precise ride handeling was amazing!...i was compensating for the bumps in the road by instinctivly thightening my legs and butt....so i was getting an isometric workout!...look at that!...lowering a car..good for the ride and the body!....im a marketing genious. now if can get someone to buy it...lol