Lowering Springs and Steep Inclines..??

[Mark Myles]

Question for those that have lowered their cars.

My car is a DD and I have a few parking lots I need to enter that have a steep incline. As long as I take it slow and on an angle, I've had no problems with the stock set up, but I'm not so sure if I were to lower my car.

Anyone have experience with rubbing on steep inclines that were not a problem before lowering..??

Thanks for your honest input.

M

[Silver2SSRS6spd]

I rub going down my driveway and onto the street. My car is lowered 1.4 in the front. I can't clear bump stops, get a jack under my car in front or on the sides and had to build ramps for my garage to clear a small step at the end of my parking spot. Having a daily driver lowered probably will get old after a while. I would not Ho lower than 1 inch up front. I'm at 1" in the back.

[SS4Fun]

I haven't had any problems (1" front/ .8" rear). Looks way better lowered. Just gotta pay attention and back into parking spots. And yes, always slow and at an angle.

[PB3]

Just installed Eibach springs yesterday. 1" in the front and 1.3" in the back.
My driveway isn't the worst of uphill grades but it sure does climb. I have yet to hear it rake the bottom on either side when I pull it into the drive way. If I was any lower I am pretty sure my driveway would have owned my front splitter by now.

[jsharp]

If your going over a 1" drop good luck. You will come to more places than you think where you may be forced to go quicker when turning or you find that there is no other way. I have a 1" drop and I have managed to keep my front end from rubbing anything but if you are looking at different headers or bigger exhaust in the future.... well lets just say with a 1'' drop it has rubbed several times and is very pain full!!! Also I could not imagine the stress of keeping my car from rubbing the front end with another .5 drop.

[BMR guy]

It definitely takes more effort to negotiate dips, speed bumps, and transitions with a lowered car. With the new Camaro having such a low front fascia it's even more difficult to get that look we all love without dragging everything in the process. That being said, I consider the front lower air dam to be sacrificial. Dragging a little over speed bumps or up a parking transition sounds way more damaging than it actually is. Some will have differing opinions but one of my car nut priorities is a proper stance and the handling benefits derived from it. I really don't mind the $31 plastic air dam dragging a little every once in a while if in trade I get better handling and a killer stance.

My car is lowered a full 2" all around. The biggest thing I am typically concerned with is not usually the steep entrances and transitions but parking curbs since they tend to scratch up the lower portion of the bumper cover itself. As long as I keep my distance from the curbs, the rest I can easily deal with. My opinion of course.

[jsharp]

I hate hearing my cats SCRAAAATCH across speed bumps!!

[ddunerider]

Originally Posted by jsharp

I hate hearing my cats SCRAAAATCH across speed bumps!!

Yea that sucks!!!

[axis]

Originally Posted by Mark Myles

Question for those that have lowered their cars.

My car is a DD and I have a few parking lots I need to enter that have a steep incline. As long as I take it slow and on an angle, I've had no problems with the stock set up, but I'm not so sure if I were to lower my car.

Anyone have experience with rubbing on steep inclines that were not a problem before lowering..??

Thanks for your honest input.

M

It's impossible to tell you if you'll have problems as we don't know the grade of the incline. Typically, it's not the grade of the incline but the sudden grade change getting on/off the lot. I'm lowered on Pfadt springs and have to take my driveway at an angle. There's a small drop off at the entrance that can't be taken head on. Good thing is, I can tell when my tire pressure is getting low. Even at the usual angle, the plastic piece that drops down will rub. Air them back up to 36psi cold and no more rubbing.

[Mark Myles]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to have to pass on the lowering. Some of the inclines are abrupt, and I cringe with the stock setting of the car.

But all is not lost! Front & rear sways!

M

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by Mark Myles

Thanks everyone. I'm going to have to pass on the lowering. Some of the inclines are abrupt, and I cringe with the stock setting of the car.

But all is not lost! Front & rear sways!

M

I respect and understand your choice. I do want to address what I think is a bit of a drama in this thread over lowering. GM has a single approach angle standard for their entire range of automobiles -- with one notable exception. The exception is the Corvette. A modestly dropped Camaro is no lower or more difficult to drive around town than a Corvette.

I have been driving ridiculously low cars for business and personal enjoyment for a long time. My home garage has been equipped with a low profile jack and 24" long 2x12s coated with bedliner as long as I can remember. The overwhelming majority of my clients and customers would say the same thing about their home garages and driving habits (ramp approach angles).

Granted I am an extreme case. I really believe catalytic converters are consumables, just like tires and brake pads. I think they call them skid plates on 4x4s. Geez, I even lower my 4x4.



I have driven lowered everythings across the country and in the city. It does take some care when you lower to the extremes I have. Even as ridiculously low as these cars are they are eminently drivable and comfortable.



Everyone should make informed personal choices about vehicle enhancements. Thank you for allowing me to speak my peace.

[Brian@AirLift]

May I humbly suggest Air Lift's Performance air suspension? You get over 4" of ride height adjustment (goes slightly higher than stock) at the push of a button, great ride quality and racetrack proven performance!

I like to say that we do a great job of eliminating the compromises of a static drop.


http://www.airliftcompany.com/pdf/lp...evy_Camaro.pdf

Just do a forum search for Air Lift and you will find several threads that illustrate the things you can do with our suspension. Feel free to ask questions!

[JusticePete]

Don't listen to brian he is full of compressed air















J/K