i guess first i should say i am after performance and am in no way concerned with looks if it looks good when i'm done then great but looks have no bearing on my performance goals.
so i was wondering if anyone can tell me how much lower i can go with my 93 s13 without changing my suspension geometry. i know how to measure and figure it out but dont have access to a lift or even a good place to jack it and measure right now. i was under the impression that 1 inch is a safe place to start and should not wreak the geometry to much. the reason i am asking is because i am looking at some different coil overs and some have a drop of over an inch at there highest point. Also if any one has found there CG that would also be helpful.
lowering suspension question
Re: lowering suspension question (lovespeed)
Any lowering @ all from stock changes the suspension geometry...
1-2" is still relatively decent.
Realistically, for 99% of drivers, it doesn't make jack difference as long as you frame rails are not like 1" from the floor.
1-2" is still relatively decent.
Realistically, for 99% of drivers, it doesn't make jack difference as long as you frame rails are not like 1" from the floor.
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adrianfromthecastle
- Posts: 18849
- Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:36 am
- Car: 1992 Nissan 240sx
- Location: California
Re: lowering suspension question (brokeAs240sx)
brokeAs240sx wrote:Any lowering @ all from stock changes the suspension geometry...
Re: lowering suspension question (brokeAs240sx)
i am aware of that but there is a point where you can make your car handle worse from over lowering without proper suspension component's like ball joint relocation and control arm relocation and modification to keep the proper camber curve. also when you over lower your car you change your roll centers which in turn changes your roll couple which will make you transfer to much weight to the outside tires under cornering loads and in extreme cases over lowering can lead to + camber gain under cornering loads.
Re: lowering suspension question (lovespeed)
Then you should understand that EVERYTHING is built around the car @ it's current height.
If you want to talk idealistically and isolate just the lowering - you compromise handling even lowering the car 1/10th of an inch. However, coilovers, shocks & springs, or whatever you like compensate for the decreased handling by providing better shocks, roll center, whatever you like.
If you want your car to handle the best for a certain height, you either need specialized tools to measure roll center, etc, or getting it aligned/balanced/etc by a professional shop.
Sorry to tell you, but the vast majority of people on this forum won't be able to give you an exact #. How well a car handles depends A LOT on the driver as well - i.e. some like certain alignments, some like certain heights, some like certain tires/spring rates, etc. There is no single "catch-all" optimum suspension setup.
Realistically will you notice the difference in handling of your car between 1.5" lowered & 2" lowered? I seriously doubt it.
If you want a #, I'll give you something:
front - as low as you can get where at full compression nothing hits the wheel well/fender.rear - matched w/ the fronts.
For my car, that's around 2-3" lower than stock.
You can just do what most track guys here do (I've done this as well), test your car at different heights/alignments & find out what works for you.
If you want to talk idealistically and isolate just the lowering - you compromise handling even lowering the car 1/10th of an inch. However, coilovers, shocks & springs, or whatever you like compensate for the decreased handling by providing better shocks, roll center, whatever you like.
If you want your car to handle the best for a certain height, you either need specialized tools to measure roll center, etc, or getting it aligned/balanced/etc by a professional shop.
Sorry to tell you, but the vast majority of people on this forum won't be able to give you an exact #. How well a car handles depends A LOT on the driver as well - i.e. some like certain alignments, some like certain heights, some like certain tires/spring rates, etc. There is no single "catch-all" optimum suspension setup.
Realistically will you notice the difference in handling of your car between 1.5" lowered & 2" lowered? I seriously doubt it.
If you want a #, I'll give you something:
front - as low as you can get where at full compression nothing hits the wheel well/fender.rear - matched w/ the fronts.
For my car, that's around 2-3" lower than stock.
You can just do what most track guys here do (I've done this as well), test your car at different heights/alignments & find out what works for you.
Re: lowering suspension question (brokeAs240sx)
while i was at school (wyotech) there was i guy there that had a 89 i believe 240 at 2.5 lower than stock and his CG and roll center separated to far so he transfers to much weight during cornering and his cornering G's went down. now there is a point in lowering where you can lower your car and at the same time CG and get it closer to your roll center so you reduce weight transfer and body roll from weight transfer. but when you over lower your roll center drops farther than the cg which will increase your weight transfer. now i understand that people are different and what feels good to me could feel bad to you and your comfort level effects how fast you can drive your car. but i am going by the math to get the highest traction available and then will fine tune with my damper(shocks) for feel as damper have little to do with traction and a lot to do with feel and control also they play a big part in keeping your wheels on the ground over bumps and we all know you have 0 traction if your wheels are in the air LOL.
Re: lowering suspension question (lovespeed)
i guess i will have to wait untill i can messure every thing. and do all the math agine (allready did all this with my 95 eclipse ps i hate that car) i was just wondering if someone had these already or maybe if i was lucky had figured it out allready. thanks for the help