using lowering springs

Technical Area Steering & Suspension
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To add my tuppence-worth, I had 30mm Eibach lowering springs fitted on my NC earlier this year. At the time the garage who was going to do them suggested I didn’t and said I would find the ride too harsh and ground out on speed bumps etc. Since I’d already bought the springs I went ahead anyway. The difference in the handling of the car was noticeable the moment I drove away. Much more responsive and less roll meaning you can go into corners that bit quicker and not feel like you’re going to be flung out the door! I don’t find the ride any harsher and have not yet ground out on speed bumps (and we have some big 'uns round where I live). A week after having the springs done I spent a weekend driving around the Peak District in pretty atrocious weather but still had a smile on my face.  

With regards to the bump stop issue mentioned by a few others, I believe there is a modified bump stop you can fit that is specifically for use with lowered springs. Pretty sure it was someone here on the forum that told me although I’ve not yet felt the need to investigate that further.

As for wheel alignment/geometry set up, I was originally going to go to WIM and have a fast road set up but was advised by a friend in the trade to keep to the standard set up unless I was intending to use the car for track days. As I understand it (and no doubt someone will tell me I’m wrong), the fast road set up is basically good for track days when you want good handling at speed on straights but the compromise is it is less effective in corners. Since most of us don’t do track days and a lot of us like to go blasting around twisty country roads, the benefits of fast road set up are less obvious. To be fair, I’ve not driven a car with the fast road set up so can’t speak with any authority but IMHO the standard set up will do you just fine for everyday driving so I’d suggest you save your money for some other mods instead…  

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My understanding of what a fast road setup differs greatly to your Pete.

Whenever I have discussed it with people, occasionally even people in the know, the general consensus that fast road setups make the car faster in the corners not less effective.

I would say the clue really does lie in the name here :slight_smile: When I was talking about getting my suspension sorted and that my main use would be having a blast round peak district B roads the first thing that was mentioned (by someone in the know) was a fast road setup.

 

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Thanks for the input, gents. Several different methods reduce roll, then, none of which have produced problems.

I like the ideas of stronger anti-roll bars and chassis-stiffening brackets. At the moment out of my price range, unfortunately; what might have been used to improve the car has had to be spent on repairs and replacements in a disastrous couple of months this summer.

Good idea Red-5. I’ve never been to a club meeting, I really must make the time to attend!

Andy, a 45mm drop should really show if there are any problems with lowering the body. Please let us know the results of the fit. I was thinking of 30mm on mine.

Pete, good to see your mod worked so well.

My car was aligned earlier this year. I was muttering about having a ‘fast-road/track’ set-up and they showed me what it was. The rears have a large amount of negative camber and I was told that it was only of benefit if one went really fast around corners, at which time the sideways force on the body and outer rear wheel changes the camber so much that the tread sits square on the road, improving grip. In normal driving, the camber produces an accelerated and uneven tyre wear. I had just the normal set-up, and that seems ok for me.