Lowering my car

[nate379]

I know there have been MANY posts asking for info on lowering a car, but I read... read... read and don't seen anything that answered all my questions.

I just bought a 1991 Eagle Talon TSI AWD. It's bone stock with 73000 miles. It's just a "beater" car that will serve as a daily drive. Don't plan on racing or anything like that.

I'm coming from the 4x4 world, so I know lots about lifting stuff and seting up suspensiosn with solid axle rigs, but cars are new to me.


I realize that I need 4 springs, is that all I need? I have been looking at the Megan springs which are around $100. Do I need a camber kit, shocks, etc?? if I do is there a way to get by without that stuff. Keeping it cheap is better, though I don't want it ride like crap either.

 

[jdd1231]

The springs are part of the strut unit,it doesn't have shocks, You'll need to take apart the strut assembly to change the springs,so check the condition of the struts/mounts before you do this.Check the strut for leaks and the mount for any play.

One you get the strut off the car you'll need to compress the spring to remove the strut mount.

As far as the camber kit that may depend on how much you are lowering it.i know front camber is adjustable somewhat at the knuckle,and rear is done by wedges.

 

[GsXtC21]

I just bought a 1991 Eagle Talon TSI AWD. It's bone stock with 73000 miles. It's just a "beater" car that will serve as a daily drive. Don't plan on racing or anything like that.

How many times have we heard this one....





jk man, goodluck to you sir...!!

 

[RSdriver98]

The is what I did with my 98 eclipse, I bought Megan Racing springs and didnt buy a camber kit or shocks. I used a grinder and cut my old springs off the shocks and then put the new springs on. I recommend you have another person help you ### there are some parts to installing this that is kinda tough for just one person.

 

[nate379]

Yeah I know it!

I few years ago I bought a Dodge diesel, and told myself I would keep it stock for a tow rig... now it's got big injectors, big turbo and pushes 525hp and 1200ft/lbs torque

How many times have we heard this one....





jk man, goodluck to you sir...!!

 

[Kastigir]

How low are you planning to go. Since the car is going to be a DD, I wouldn't lower it at all so you don't lose ride quality.

 

[nate379]

2".. ordered up the Megan springs and the rear camber kit a little bit ago.

I used to daily drive a 1 ton pickup, pretty sure no car can ride that stiff

 

[jdd1231]

yeah thats a bit stiffer

Are you planning on staying with the stock tires/rims?

putting some 40's on will make it ride stiffer too......

 

[sik4g63]

Yeah it won't ride as stiff as that 1 ton, but i was AK for a while and with the condition of some of those roads there it will be kinda rough with a 2" drop. I do agree though if its goin to be a DD you should leave it stock height or drop it maybe 1" or so. You can adjust the camber on the front a little bit on the knuckles but it wont be perfect. I would suggest getting a camber kit for the front.....but you are wanting to stay cheap. So its up to you man and good luck.

 

[nate379]

Worse case scenario and it rubs everything on the ground I can put the stock springs back in and I'm out $200, so it's not too bad.

I called Extreme PSI which is where I ordered the stuff and they said I'd be fine on the front, just needed the camber kit for the rear. Not true?

I'm probably just going to bead blast and paint the stock wheels unless I find a good deal on wheels. Tires are 90% so they are there for a while.

I only paid $2500 for the car so I don't want to get too crazy with it... just a beater "ricer" build so to speak.... just cause stock is boring.

 

[BIGBLAZE79]

I have the cheep $100 ebay springs in my car. (2" drop) It looks a lot better but, man My struts are completely blown or the valves inside of them don't work very well at this ride hight. I had to get the camber kit front and back because it was wearing the crap out of the 1st inch of the inside of my tire tread. The suspension bottoms out easy but the car doesn't usually hit the ground. It's a real crappy ride. I can't wait to get some aftermarket coilovers. It's been this way for 5 years so it is definatly drivable, just have to be careful hittin bumps.

 

[Kastigir]

2 inches will require a camber kit. You also run the risk of blowing your stock shocks.

 

[Redfwdsm]

I know there have been MANY posts asking for info on lowering a car, but I read... read... read and don't seen anything that answered all my questions.

I just bought a 1991 Eagle Talon TSI AWD. It's bone stock with 73000 miles. It's just a "beater" car that will serve as a daily drive. Don't plan on racing or anything like that.

I'm coming from the 4x4 world, so I know lots about lifting stuff and seting up suspensiosn with solid axle rigs, but cars are new to me.


I realize that I need 4 springs, is that all I need? I have been looking at the Megan springs which are around $100. Do I need a camber kit, shocks, etc?? if I do is there a way to get by without that stuff. Keeping it cheap is better, though I don't want it ride like crap either.

well are the struts good on your car if they are just get the megan springs and boom your done but i would get a camber kit if i where you and a alignment

 

[nate379]

Yeah the struts are fine. I got the springs and rear camber kit.

 

[Loewen21]

Chances are very good that your stock shocks are going to blow shortly, especially with a 2" drop. If i was you i would have just gotten a set of Eibach Pro springs which tend to be the favourite around here for a quick drop in spring. But i do have to admit that a lower drop does look better. On my coilover set up i have my car dropped probably about 2 1/2 inches and it looks meannn

 

[jrohner]

Yeah the struts are fine.

Not for long after you lower it. It can be hard on them and cause them to go out quickly.

 

[Kastigir]

Not for long after you lower it. It can be hard on them and cause them to go out quickly.

2 inches is the gray area of lowering. Any more and you'll definitely blow the shocks. Any less and they should last as they would normally. Worst case is he does blow them at some point in the future.

 

[nate379]

Why do they blow out??... hitting the bumpstops?

 

[PIMking]

Why do they blow out??... hitting the bumpstops?

They are compressed with Nitro I think but when you lower the seal down another 2 inches thats less travel and more stress on the part.

I had it happen to me when I put them on my neon years ago. the stock replacment struts lasted about 7 months.

 

[nate379]

So new replacements will not last either?

What is the solution then?

 

[Kastigir]

So new replacements will not last either?

What is the solution then?

2 choices, hope they don't blow, or buy performance replacements like KYB AGX shocks/struts.

 

[PIMking]

2 choices, hope they don't blow, or buy performance replacements like KYB AGX shocks/struts.

He can get a set of springs that dont have such a big drop that would help also.. I think an inch would look great.

 

[nate379]

Doesn't seem like 1" would be even noticable.

 

[PIMking]

Doesn't seem like 1" would be even noticable.

wheel gap my friend it will be very noticable.

Personally I dont by springs to lower it. I buy them for performance and heavier spring rates.

 

[nate379]

There's a good 4-5" wheel gap, so I would think 2" is about right.