Lowering The BEAST!

[FLIP-4-SHO]

Hello everyone,
2011 SHO with Performance Pkg.
I love the ride just as it is. But I do think the rear end sits a little high and needs to be more level with the front. Any suggestions?

I was thinking of a lowering spring setup but not sure. One of the reasons for getting this SHO is because of the Automatic and ride and fast and, and....
I already have a kidney belt wearing car in the 08' Shelby GT Mustang and as fun as that car is I do not like it as an everyday driver.

So, Still want the ride as is.
I am not apposed to it being lower all around, just do not want the stiff ride that comes with it. That is why I was just thinking of lowering just the rear to make it level in appearance.

 

[SHO-MAN]

I have the H & R springs which dropped the car an average of 1.75 inches. The ride is still pretty smooth. Car definitely looks better :woo-hoo:

 

[Showgun]

There must be springs available that have the same rate as OEM at a reasonable cost. A lot here have H&R's -- but I don't know how they compare to OEM's in ride.
Barring that, taking the OEM's and cutting a couple inches off would probably do provided it was done properly and not to excess.

 

[SpoolinX2]

Barring that, taking the OEM's and cutting a couple inches off would probably do provided it was done properly and not to excess.

I've seen a lot of debates on cutting stock springs over the years, and from what I understand, it would change the ride to being more stuff. That is, you're changing the total height of the spring, which changes the rate at which it compresses...or something like that. It makes sense in my head, just hard to type it out, lol.

 

[Showgun]

I've seen a lot of debates on cutting stock springs over the years, and from what I understand, it would change the ride to being more stuff. That is, you're changing the total height of the spring, which changes the rate at which it compresses...or something like that. It makes sense in my head, just hard to type it out, lol.

LOL, in today's day and age cutting would not be highly recommended due to technological considerations, I'm sure. Not to mention warranty or anything logical like that.

Only in the unlikely event of budget restraints would I do it in which case I doubt that what little was cut off the springs would change much at all except the ride height.

JMHO......and harkening back to an age that many here will know very little about.

 

[gregoire]

I had the H&R's installed this week, my first impression is that the ride quality has not been compromised. I sense the ride may be the slightest bit stiffer but I'm not really sure. I was plenty worried about the handling characteristics being changed in any way. Like I said, the good news is that my first impression is that it has not.

 

[Crash712us]

I highly wouldn't recommend, most springs now a days I don't see how you could do that. Due to the springs shape, meaning usually the the top and bottom coils are much smaller in diameter then the rest of the spring. And are bent and coiled in a way to sit on spring perch in certain manner. I haven't low yet, but as far as I know the ride with HR's isn't bad at all.

 

[SHO U UP]

Eibach kit on mine and the ride lowered 1" front and 1.5" in the rear. Ride is fine and handles great.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Eibach's are softer riding than H & R's. As long as you stay with stock tires, or a similarly riding tire, you will be happy with either.

I have X/L (extra Load) Conti DW's on my Brick with the H & R's. Definitely rides firmer but when I go back to stock 20" RS-A's for winter trips north, it rides almost like stock. Just handles & LOOKS better.

 

[FLIP-4-SHO]

SPRINGS

 

[steve142857]

I have the H & R springs which dropped the car an average of 1.75 inches. The ride is still pretty smooth. Car definitely looks better :woo-hoo:

HR Springs lower the car by 1.5 and 1.4''...
I have had them installed on my car (first mod) and I love the way it handles, it rides very smooth still, even on low profile 20's... the only thing is that I can no longer park my car in the interior multi-level parking I used to go beside work because the under of the car touches when I want to enter in that garage. Also, coming out from parkings to go on the street, sometimes I need to go in diagonal for the front no to touch the pavement... But the times it touches it, it is the flap under and not the bumper that touches.. Once aware of that, only positive comments and certainly stiffer and still smooth, really...

 

[FLIP-4-SHO]

Hello,
I really want to keep the existing tires and wheels that came with the car. 20"ers on the performance package. Will I be able to without rub? If so which spring package is best for that. The HR or Eibach's. Eibach's is not as low is seems. Not as much of a drop. My car seems to be able to absorb all of the H&R's drop easily. Just want to be sure.

Eibach's
Front and Rear Fitment
Ride Height: Moderate Lowering
Note: Avg low 0.8"F & 1.2"R

H & R
Front and Rear Fitment
Ride Height: Moderate Lowering
Note: Avg low 1.4"F & 1.5"R.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

NO clearance issues whatsoever... with either.

 

[vernonator]

So what is involved in installing these. Is it a truly DIY project of better having a mechanic do it?

 

[Crash712us]

Not trying to be smart. But I'd say if you have to ask, take it to a mechanic. For what I may personly believe to be a minor undertaking, for others could it be major.

 

[FLIP-4-SHO]

The only tool I say you would need to invest in is a spring compressor tool. I rent it and my son puts them on. I use to do this stuff all the time on my cars but now my son is quite capable and so I rely on him.

click here

 

[SHO-MAN]

The only tool I say you would need to invest in is a spring compressor tool. I rent it and my son puts them on. I use to do this stuff all the time on my cars but now my son is quite capable and so I rely on him.

click here

I took mine to a pro (HR springs) so it could be aligned at the same time..a must if I must say. Ride is smooth and no rubbing issues with stock 20s and tires.

 

[FLIP-4-SHO]

Yes. True. Have a 4 wheel alignment guy that can do the 4 wheel kind. A must, your right...

 

[Guzzi SVT]

I have read somewhere that you need a special camber adjusting bolt if you go with the HR springs. Is this true?
If you use a spring compressor do you need to drop the lower control arms. I read on one spring suppliers site that the normal charge for installing springs was 1 hour. Must be pretty easy! How much did it cost get the springs installed?

 

[steve142857]

I have read somewhere that you need a special camber adjusting bolt if you go with the HR springs. Is this true?
If you use a spring compressor do you need to drop the lower control arms. I read on one spring suppliers site that the normal charge for installing springs was 1 hour. Must be pretty easy! How much did it cost get the springs installed?

You need to have it aligned after installation (somthing like a week after to make sure it is well sitting). Most likely you will need camber bolts adjustment for the rear. So, beside the H&R kit, you need the bolts, the installation and the alignment. So, be prepared for around 200$ for complete installation (1.5 hours front and rear springs, 0.5 camber bolts, 0.5 alignment at 60$ an hour = 150$, plus bolts shipped for around 50$).
In my case, as mentioned earlier in this forum, it cost me a set of tires because no alignment had be done after installation (I thought he had done it, but apparently not).