How to lower a car...?

theMAG · 18th November 2007, 11:52

Cutting off OE springs is part of a wider phenomenon of lack of awareness by people of changing the dynamics of a finely engineered system such as a car. Doing a bandaid job on any part will most likely not have desired results, albeit undesirable ones.

I would also feel going in for aftermarket well designed springs is the better option over chopping off OE springs.

2fast4u · 18th November 2007, 11:57

i have seen the low riders on Discovery - cant remember the name.
a low rider was being made and the new springs were cut to get the ride low. So if the person with tech knows about suspension then its easier to get it cut, grinding done and good job.
Its not DIY stuff

kpzen · 18th November 2007, 12:07

razor
U have mentioned that the spring(orange) in pic are Peddar spring.
What about the shocks inside it?? Are those OEM or peddars??

DirtyDan · 18th November 2007, 12:54

How about low profile tyres as an alternative? Right away you get stiffer tyre sidewalls because there is not so much room to flex. Hence, less roll.

I am not sure any of this lowering is really a good idea in India with its strange roads. You might be doing a public service as a cow pie removal vehicle but I think this is a limited venue.

razor4077 · 18th November 2007, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by kpzen

razor
U have mentioned that the spring(orange) in pic are Peddar spring.
What about the shocks inside it?? Are those OEM or peddars??

Those are Pedders Comfort Gas shocks, with VRD.
More details here:
Pedders Comfort Gas - The Unique Velocity Responsive Damping System - Pedders Suspension

nitrous · 18th November 2007, 14:06

Razor, Do give a detailed report on those peddars suspension U've got,if possible.
It'll help guys like karthik247 in choosing aftermarket suspension components.

razor4077 · 18th November 2007, 17:23

@nitrous: will do buddy.
phoenix is stuck in the garage at the moment. still a few teething problems. once she's up and running, i'll post a detailed report on everything, including the Pedders.

Here's my initial review, posted on another thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by razor4077

I've been driving Phoenix around for close to a week after getting the Pedders fitted. Here's my initial feedback on the Pedders mated to the PP2 tyres...
- They handle bad roads pretty well. Cal roads are in PATHETIC shape now, and I was expecting a very stiff ride with the Pedders and low profile tyres. But surprisingly, the ride's been pretty decent. Definitely a touch harsher than stock, but nothing too drastic.
- Had a chance to push the car around a near 360 deg bend today (the road is an exit from NH 6, going towards Cal). Maintained 100+ throughout without making any corrections to the wheel or stepping off the gas. Car stuck like glue to the tarmac. Could have pushed her more, but took it easy this first time... need more time to learn the limits of the car.
I have taken this exit in an Octy and an NHC Vtec previously, but was never able to maintain this high a speed throughout, and feel so comfortable about it. Kinda makes the investment of time, money and effort worth it

BlackPearl · 18th November 2007, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatienceWins

The worst Ground clearance I have experienced is on Lancer.

you should drive a Baleno once and I am sure you would love to take back your statement

speedzak · 18th November 2007, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

you should drive a Baleno once and I am sure you would love to take back your statement

What would happen to Mr. Civic then?

:

BlackPearl · 19th November 2007, 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedzak

What would happen to Mr. Civic then?

:

honestly did not know that civic's condition is that bad. in my car I have to literally ask people to get down if I confront a big hump

. these things become so annoying when you are not travelling on the GQ. but the performance one the GQ lets you forget eerything else

. hope its the same with the civic.

shuvc · 19th November 2007, 00:11

But @BP, your car might have a slightly lower GC than stock balenos due to the FFE. The pipe seemed a bit low to me.

BlackPearl · 19th November 2007, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuvc

But @BP, your car might have a slightly lower GC than stock balenos due to the FFE. The pipe seemed a bit low to me.

but the case was no different even before the FFE. yours might be better due to the 14 inchers.

razor4077 · 19th November 2007, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

but the case was no different even before the FFE. yours might be better due to the 14 inchers.

Doubt it... tyre height is roughly the same in both your cars. But yea, I have driven behind both the Blackpearl and the Silver Bullet... the pipe does seem a little lower in your ride. Dunno, maybe it's an illusion!

BlackPearl · 19th November 2007, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by razor4077

Doubt it... tyre height is roughly the same in both your cars. But yea, I have driven behind both the Blackpearl and the Silver Bullet... the pipe does seem a little lower in your ride. Dunno, maybe it's an illusion!

ok, tried to defend my FFE enough. now its time to get down and fix it since all of you are pointing fingers at it

nitrous · 19th November 2007, 14:39

BP, drive over speedbumps at an angle of 45 degrees.
It'll help a lot. Try it!

18th November 2007, 11:52	#16
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Cutting off OE springs is part of a wider phenomenon of lack of awareness by people of changing the dynamics of a finely engineered system such as a car. Doing a bandaid job on any part will most likely not have desired results, albeit undesirable ones. I would also feel going in for aftermarket well designed springs is the better option over chopping off OE springs.
	() Thanks

18th November 2007, 11:57	#17
2fast4u BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: pune / Bahrain Posts: 488 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	i have seen the low riders on Discovery - cant remember the name. a low rider was being made and the new springs were cut to get the ride low. So if the person with tech knows about suspension then its easier to get it cut, grinding done and good job. Its not DIY stuff
	() Thanks

18th November 2007, 12:07	#18
kpzen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Faridabad Posts: 5,610 Thanked: 1,876 Times View My Garage	razor U have mentioned that the spring(orange) in pic are Peddar spring. What about the shocks inside it?? Are those OEM or peddars??
	() Thanks

18th November 2007, 12:54	#19
DirtyDan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala, H.P Posts: 2,075 Thanked: 1,565 Times	Tyres? How about low profile tyres as an alternative? Right away you get stiffer tyre sidewalls because there is not so much room to flex. Hence, less roll. I am not sure any of this lowering is really a good idea in India with its strange roads. You might be doing a public service as a cow pie removal vehicle but I think this is a limited venue.
	() Thanks

18th November 2007, 14:06	#21
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Razor, Do give a detailed report on those peddars suspension U've got,if possible. It'll help guys like karthik247 in choosing aftermarket suspension components.
	() Thanks

19th November 2007, 00:11	#26
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,913 Thanked: 352 Times View My Garage	But @BP, your car might have a slightly lower GC than stock balenos due to the FFE. The pipe seemed a bit low to me.
	() Thanks

19th November 2007, 14:39	#30
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	BP, drive over speedbumps at an angle of 45 degrees. It'll help a lot. Try it!
	() Thanks