Lowering- anyone sorry they did it?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,447
Likes: 14
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Lowering- anyone sorry they did it?
This thread is for people that have had it done. Any regrets? If you had it to do over again would you? Just looking for honest answers.
Thinking of doing this in a week or so. I'm not a vain person but it does make the ride look nicer. What are the down sides?
Thinking of doing this in a week or so. I'm not a vain person but it does make the ride look nicer. What are the down sides?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 400
From: Lakeville MI
Downsides:
Reduced ground clearance (air dam, headers may scrape).
Outside tire wear (hard to get enough neg. camber)
Increased high frequency harshness (front end is less compliant with spring rubber cut down).
Reduced travel (rear may bottom out, especially with a passenger).
I'm trying taller tires now (26") to further tighten the fender to tire gaps and restore some lost ground clearance. I think it will look even lower, while actually being raised a bit.
Reduced ground clearance (air dam, headers may scrape).
Outside tire wear (hard to get enough neg. camber)
Increased high frequency harshness (front end is less compliant with spring rubber cut down).
Reduced travel (rear may bottom out, especially with a passenger).
I'm trying taller tires now (26") to further tighten the fender to tire gaps and restore some lost ground clearance. I think it will look even lower, while actually being raised a bit.
Last edited by tequilaboy; Apr 4, 2008 at 11:09 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
No regrets here either. The roads here in AZ are pretty good so I basically can drive it as aggressively (if not more so) as at the stock height, w/o sweatin' the occasional scrape. In fact, I have never scraped the undercarriage since lowering...and rarely even scrape the air-dam. I still have the original air-dam on the car, and it's still in fine shape @ 70k. Just take my driveways sideways and avoid 'extreme' speed bumps.
The QA1 shocks sure help though, as this baby is very stiff and has zero "float". Also, I've had no problems getting the alignment where I wanted it. In addition, I took it to Las Vegas a few months ago and was all over downtown, parking garages etc..and it did just fine. Keep in mind though that, once lowered, you do tend to drive w/ a bit more caution (at least I do)...and I watch for dips in the road and anything that can present a problem for a car this low. For example, if I see that I can't get the safe entry angle into a driveway, I'll spin a u-turn & hit it the other way.
Even as low as my car is, I have no rubbing front or rear at all...and the stance I've achieved by lowering brings a smile to my face every time I look at the car.
The QA1 shocks sure help though, as this baby is very stiff and has zero "float". Also, I've had no problems getting the alignment where I wanted it. In addition, I took it to Las Vegas a few months ago and was all over downtown, parking garages etc..and it did just fine. Keep in mind though that, once lowered, you do tend to drive w/ a bit more caution (at least I do)...and I watch for dips in the road and anything that can present a problem for a car this low. For example, if I see that I can't get the safe entry angle into a driveway, I'll spin a u-turn & hit it the other way.
Even as low as my car is, I have no rubbing front or rear at all...and the stance I've achieved by lowering brings a smile to my face every time I look at the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I used the bolt kit to drop the rear only about 1" and love the resulting look and feel of the car.
I do get an occasional snubbing out with my old (>9yrs) KYBs but hope to soon eliminate that with a new set of shocks.
I do get an occasional snubbing out with my old (>9yrs) KYBs but hope to soon eliminate that with a new set of shocks.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Stock it looked like a d@m^ 4x4!
But it made driving in the snow a little more challanging (at times snow would plow up over the hood) It didn't do it as much before lowering. However, it doesn't snow in the Slidell area!!
Last edited by aboatguy; Apr 4, 2008 at 06:19 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 52
From: Louisville Kentucky
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 52
From: Louisville Kentucky
The ride is definitely stiff with poly bushings & coilovers . DRM is great to deal with and they have a lot of experience with the C4 . My C4 came with base suspension so its like going from a marshmellow to a race car .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,949
Likes: 23
From: Bowling Green KY
I think you'll find most of the guys that are willing to lower their car are a little more hard core so they are willing to put up with some increased rubbing. You just have to manage it. Big speed bumps are the only problem for me. The car will bottom out and the sound makes you cringe. So I'm VERY careful and just try to steer around them somehow. The rub strips on the front bumper are MEANT to be expendable, luckily they aren't expensive.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,447
Likes: 14
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
much appreciated guys, thanks. Still not sure what i'm going to do.
Half of me says go ahead, the other half says leave it alone.
Half of me says go ahead, the other half says leave it alone.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,966
Likes: 710
From: WI
They look much better lowered! You could try just lowering the rear, then see if you want the front dropped more. Taking some rake out of the back improves the look and brings the front down slightly. Plus it's a pretty easy job!